These stories are no reflection on how life actually works within your average state school. Braying endlessly about how a boarding school education toughened you up and 'made you a man' is tedious and emotive uninformed talk. I am happy with who I am and my education (partly) made me that way.

Jenny, Southampton,

If all parents did what mine did, and threw in their lot with the state schools, you'd soon see what a state education can do for the child that takes everything it can give. The problem is with the few kids who cannot see what value there is in education. And for some, maybe that's right.

Jenny, Southampton,

If you're determined to become a car-mechanic or a hairdresser, then being made to sit through lessons on algebra, French or Shakespeare seems unfair and unneccessary -- maybe it's time we took that into account.

Jenny, Southampton,

By giving children the education they want, something that honestly seems to help them, I believe that they'd respond in turn in a positive way. The state system may need a bit of work, and academies are not the way to go (grammar may be, though), but private schooling is elitism at its worst.

Jenny, Southampton,

Public school is the best start in life. Jeremy's right on the money. Like my 2 brothers and sister who are all very sucessful i am a public school student and my children wil have the same education. Your school should be something to be proud of. If you're not proud, you need a change.

Joshua, Wellington College, Berkshire

I am 16 and attend 6th form at a grammar school. It isn't that bad. I have a brilliant group of friends, have never experienced any "bullying" within my 6 years at the school, and it appears very few people have. My mother attended a private school, and she did not like it. She found the girls there extremley iritating to say the least, and hated having to attend lessons on the Sunday. My younger brother however attends a comprehensive school, and likes it. I wouldn't. the people who attend it are not the type of people I would choose to associate with and seem to spend most there time fighting outside local corner shops. Anyway the point I am trying to make is it depends on the individual. I know, and go out with, girls who attend private schools, and like them. I also know girls who do not. Don't dictate as to which schools are better and which are lacking, but let the people who will be attending them choose where they would rather be.

Rosie - a Jeremy Clarkson Fan, Halifax , England

I went to a private school, from 11-18 and absolutely loved. However, I also stayed friends with many of the people I went to primay school with, who went on to a state comp. Many people at my private school could have benefitted from being friends with some of the `commomoners` they looked down on. I know many of my friends who argue that bullying is necessary for some people in order to toughen them up, but please bear in mind that my group of friends all "bullied" each other most of the time if you look at it from the governments point of view, whereas in actual fact it was just banter! Tough but usually fair is how I like to think of my school, and i am very grateful for it!

K Brecknell, Worcester, U.K.

I am 15 and currently attending Benenden School for girls. It is the same school they HRH Princess Anne went to and the old head of MI5 and it is HELL! I am living 2 hours away from home, I get bullied quite alot for just being clever or knowing more than some of my class mates or even for talking to my room mate's ex. The girls here are bitchy and selfish.
But I have learnt alot here: how do hide alcohol on the way to socials (discos with other schools), where is the best place to go for a smoke (not that I do) and how to hide things from teahers.
This is supposedly for my better education so i can go to Oxbridge and I have to admit I am improving in my studies and sometimes its not so bad. I have some friends and i get on okish with everyone else.
In conclusion I think boarding schools are very good. But I think they should be more picky and not let the really stupid people in. E.g i said the words: empathy and penultimate and lots of my girls had no idea what they meant!

Hannah Atkin, Crawley, West Sussex

Why do so many assume that bullying (including that of the physical variety) doesn't take place in private schools? I attended a private school for both boarders and day students. I was picked on for 2 years: during that time I was kicked in the backside like I was a football.
And as for building my confidence, I left that place with absolutely zero confidence. I actually had more confidence when I joined the school at 14, than when I left at 18.
Boarding schools aren't always what they're cracked up to be. Yes on the surface the children may seem well-mannered and hard-working, but beneath this veneer of respectability there is often a cold arrogance. Not to mention a smug disregard of those who are less 'fortunate', coupled with an incredibly sheltered outlook on life.
I'm not suggesting I wouldn't have been bullied in the state sector, just pointing out that boarding schools aren't quite as wonderful as so many of you think they are.

A.D. , Oxford ,

I went to two grammar schools, I got kicked out of both, every one goes on about the drugs and terrorism in secondary schools, my brother goes to one, he's fine, gets in the odd fight and life's grand just smoking, however walk in to the toilets in the grammar school and you have to feel your way to something resembling a toilet through the clouds of 'herbal smoke' then you'll be halfway through with business and the toilet will turn round and ask if you would like a line.

Then there's the fact that they believe it's their god given right and 'it' means everything. I remember being on the way to a sever shouting at for whatever it was I had done this time and having a face off between rolls royce phantom and an old volvo called helga, I was very very glad to be in the volvo because their car cost more than my house did, ours was less than their shoes, I'd put money on state high schools, they make people not posh morons resembling victorian furniture.

adam kelly, Belfast, Northern Ireland

One word: snobbery.

Mark, Skelmersdale, Lancs, UK

I know someone who went to boarding school. Now as an adult he feels that it was a form of child abuse: neglect, emotional abandonment. Children need their parents, not an institution.

jb, London, UK

Hi there,
This is my first ever post but I feel inclined to share.

'People who send their children to private school should be honest - it's less about the education than about buying privilege, and making sure your precious ones only mix with the "right sort".'

This is an amusing comment, not only because I myself have been privately educated all my life but you use it in suchh a perjorative sense. 'Should be honest' my parents certainly don't deny it, what fool of a parent would say "Oh yes, send Philip to that rough school where he'll be met with coke heads and cigarettes when he goes to the toilet"?

'I can safely say that the education I received was far superior in the state system. It is frustrating to hear these snobbish remarks, and ignorant views - which can only come from those who haven't experienced/ would be ashamed to experience the State system.'

You can't argue on experience. Argue on fact.

Chris Jeffs, Manchester,

Dear Juliet
The 'teachings quality', but unfortunately doesn't include punctuation...

Cate, Moulis-en-Médoc, France

Guy Thiebaut,

I too went to boarding school from the age of 8 and left at age 18.

Best years of my life, and I love my parents dearly. And my two best friends went through the same as I (though at different schools) and they too enjoyed themselves at school and get on great with their parents.

Unfortunately I have experienced some serious chips on shoulders from non-public school colleagues in the past.

I never benefited from any old-school network (which I doubt exists outside of politics) and never expected to.

Sometimes when seeing public school kids in public I find them slightly irritating (was I ever so loud & cocky?), but then again, at least I know they are not going to stab me.

Cheers

Pete, Bristol, UK

I went to a grammar school, hated it and got bullied. Went to a boarding school, loved it but got pulled out because my mum missed me, learnt more there than I ever did at the grammar. Then I went to a comp, learnt nothing and met a lot of people who lived in council housing and have absolutely no morals, and I did appalingly with my education because all the teachers were either awful or it was their first year teaching and basically didn't have a clue. Boarding schools are lovely, the other students are nice and the teachings quality.

Juliet, London, England

Well, it's good to see that TM Harding's parents' money was well spent. People who send their children to private school should be honest - it's less about the education than about buying privilege, and making sure your precious ones only mix with the "right sort".

Clive Kaine, Lichfield, UK

I am glad that T.M Harding of Worcester had a 'forfilling' time at private school - was he too busy rowing to learn to spell correctly?

Imogen Hoffmann, bridport,

Just a quick note to say that i to attended a boarding school Oldswinford hospitol, and it was the most forfilling experience i have ever had and will certainly remember all the friends and memories from that time. I think the style of schooling makes young people into responsible well educated human beings and long may it continue. hopefully this country will recognise this and we may still have a chance of limiting the number of machine gun toting dosers that are sometimes the by product of the state schooling system.

T M Harding, worcester,

I went to Chethams School of Music (Chets for short) for a little over 4 years, and all in all I loved it. The first 2 years of my stay there, were utter torture, with the hourly phone calls home to mummy, telling her I wanted to come home, and the daily phone calls to my dad telling him I wanted to come home (he didn't seem to care so much.) basically, I hated it.

After the second year, something just clicked, and I began to absolutely love it. Same people, same place and same old me, but something had changed? I still to this day have no idea what it was. But I suddenly realised that being a boarding school was perhaps the "coolest" thing ever.

I am not quite sure what the point of the analogue above is, however I am going to "blag it" with this: Yes it may be awful for the first 2 years of school, for some kids a shorter or longer period. But one day, it will suddenly click into place, and you will perhaps be... Happy.

Thomas Gray, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

i'm a student at a comp at the moment, and i believe that neither one is better, and that you cannot generalise. but i would just like to say that saying private school gives some children a better start in life than others like its an un fair thing is a load of tosh. if youv'e worked hard enough to afford to send your kids to the school you think is best then fine. they're your kids.
but, mr clarkson please don't paint all state school kids with the same brush. we are not all binge drinking chlamydia-stuffed hoodies. i say this as the lanky brace wearing half welsh nerd.

liz, hereford, england

I had the choice to go private but thought I'd try going to a school that, according to everyone to ever step within a 1000 yards of it, looked like a prison. It was located on the corner of 2 busy roads that met and had no playing fields, no grass, and we weren't allowed inside during break and lunch in case we set it on fire (you might laugh at that last point, but in my time there, it was an entirely reasonable concern), there was no running, and certainly no ball games allowed. We got half an hour for lunch because they wanted us out so quickly that we finished at half two, and the teachers were out the gate quicker than most of the students. Character building one might say...

On the flip side, my brother went to a non-boarding private school and enjoyed it immensely.

Steve, Hillingdon,

I attended a comprehensive between the ages of 11 and 16, before attending a private sixth form.
My comprehensive was apparently one of the better ones, the facilities were ok, the teaching was ok, it was delightfully average. During my time there I was submitted to copious amounts of bullying, simply becuase i obtained high scores in tests and i got my homework in on time. In essence i was beaten down by the apathetic rabble around me and teachers bascially didn't care to push me to achieve my potential standards.
I then moved to a private school and had the best years of my life. I achieved top A-level grades and made ten times the amount of friends. Applying to Oxbridge was socially acceptable. At this school i was regarded almost as completely different person.
Although I gained many life skills and i was essentailly hardened by the comp, it took private school to rebuild me and start making me be positive about myself.
P.S. public school banter beats arson any day

Emma, Birmingham, UK

I generally like Jeremy's articles, and know they are supposed to be funny, but this one comes across as reasonably serious, so is worth a comment or two.

It is the creaming off of the children of the middle classes that lets the "comps" descend into hell. A properly streamed comprehensive school (mine had 18 sets split by ability) is a great environment for learning both academic and social skills. It would be even better if many of the best teachers did not bugger off to the private system in swift pursuit of the children of the doctors and lawyers.

Next, it is one of the features of society that we accept that there are some unfairnesses, but we can act to correct some, too. We do not simply always say "yes, life is unfair", and leave it at that. If someone is mugged for example, we don't tell them "tough, life is unfair". It is perfectly arguable that we can change the system to make it more level.

John, London,

It worries me to see so many people praising this article - 'Nice one Jeremy' and 'As a public school boy myself...'

Will someone defend the comprehensive system?

How can anyone say that people should be able to PAY for a higher standard of education?

That is surely, in principal, completely unjust!

I attended a comprehensive school, one which I was advised not to go to due to its poor reputation, as I had recently moved to the area I was presented with the option of appealing for a comprehensive place or to a grammar school, where if I was rejected by the grammar school I would not be allowed to attend the comprehensive school.

I took the decision to attend the comprehensive school.

I achieved 9A*s, 2As and a B at GCSE, I achieved 4 As at A level. All of my own merit, I worked incredibly hard. I achieved this of my own initiative and I didn't take advantage of a helping hand from my parents to ship me off to private school.

Megan, Poole,

As someone who went to public school at the age of 8 and left it at the age of 18 - I can only say that parents who do this to their children deserve nothing but criticism for performing such a heartless act.

guy thiebaut, cambridge,

I went to a grammar school, my sister went to private school. This disgusted my Grandfather (a Malvern College old boy), who believed that what you do for one child, you should do for the other.

The reason my parents decided to do this was because there was no way on God's great earth they were going to send my sister - a heavily dyslexic wallflower - to the local comp, a breeding ground for thuggery. She wouldn't have passed the Eleven Plus exam to gain entry to grammar school, so a private school with smaller class sizes was the only, and as it turned out, best option.

I went through the state system (albeit an elitist stream of it, which some would argue is what defines the private system) and received an excellent education, as did my sister.

It's brought me to the conclusion that you take the child, you take what schools are on offer in your area and you get the best fit you can.

If that means paying, taking a test or squaring up to the playground Nazis, then so be it.

Ms C, London,

swindon - this year, just this year - may the lottery work as it should, and preserve the best of our nation, for those in our nation who will build our future

so this year - just this year - i won't be applying for lottery funding

yours sincerely, a renewables developer
(and yes i do happen to be in scotland)

george, glasgow,

Hello Jeremy, I see your point, I am actually a teacher in a London secondary comprehensive, I have a child, whom we have decided to place in a local primary school, my child is quite bright(honestly no coaching from us i.e. parents) but I do want my child to attend a public school. However it’s now a question of Finances it costs at about £4,000 a term. Does any one know how I can apply for some sort of bursary or scholarship for a child about to enter secondary school next year. Any offers!!! pretty please!!!

Chris, London, England

In most cases state school vs public school education is now irrelevant. When I finished my state school education (with three A grade A levels), I went to Uni where 16 out of my 20 close friends were public school educated, and I never once felt as if I was different / common or had less opportunities in life - sport included. I sat next to a state school girl in class, I dated a public school boy. There was pretty much a 50:50 split throughout my course. The only people who seemed to care were my friend's parents, who often asked which school I had been to!
However, saying all this, I am Welsh, and was unfortunate enough to be given the nickname of my place of birth that stuck throughout Uni and now, five years later, still remains.... seems you just can't win these days.

Miss A, Cardiff, Wales

Jeremy Clarkson is an old man. Old age and good fortune have made him complacent. The rich have a stranglehold on good education through public schools and buying property near grammar schools. One way or another it is important we try to change the unfairness innate in society for the future. Today many people do not see why we should try to remove the disadvantage a child has who is born poor. 100 years ago these same people would not see why we should try to remove the disadvantage a child has who was born a woman.

We are all born idealists, but most people just give up when they see how much still has to be done.

Nick, Oxford,

Clarkson's grasp of class politics has no equal in contemporary British intellectual culture. Savour his words, we shall not see his like again.

john motor, london, uk

jeremy

I won't get too excited if I were you that you have been able to go to some minor public school. Truly priviledged people do not rub it in the way you do. I think you're still struggling on that class ladder and have not quite made it to where you think you should be. Hence broadcasting like a typical noveau riche....see, see, my daughter goes to a public school.

Me? Ha...am an aristo! No need to talk about such things - all part of the package and perks of life!

Liz Cole, London,

Nice how the subject of education is re-routed into the old chestnut about class. Ah yes, the class system; that out-moded concept only of interest to the middle class with their painful awareness of how close they are to being working class, and their nightly aches that they aren't upper class.

Notice that the people outwith of it don't give a damn about what you think? Dare I suggest that this may be why the working class and the upper class are generally happier people. Before you resort to stereotypes about Burberry-clad chavs or braying toffs, do remember that that doesn't invalidate that point, but merely highlights how narrow minded your world view actually is.

Rose, Edinburgh,

i think private schools should take on at least 10 poor but gifted children from council estates. Also all good schools should liaise with less fortunate schools in their area, and catchment area's should be replaced by a lottery . this way middle class parents buying houses next to a good school will make no difference to us poor. Another radical method would be to have parent's sit an exam with their child for the placement in a good school. this would be a easy revision based test. If you disparately want your child to go to the school you will revise hard and if you don't care then your child goes to the local drug den. The current system does nothing for us council estate dwellers because we are always outside the catchment area of any school that educates. My 5 year old may be learning his 8 times table but the school only expects 2 what can we do?

shamim ahmed, london, united kingdom

Marvellous article Jeremy and I agree whole-heartedly with what you've written and how you feel. This only a day later from that dreadful article that Julia Noakes wrote for The Times slating our Public Schools and the psychological effects on her City-Boy 'patients'. She was so very, very wrong in my opinion. I am now off for a pint in St Germain (but without my England rugby shirt this morning) to witness the trail of mourning fans feast on croque madames and sink bathtubs of warm Kronenberg, neither able to raise a swing low nor a team at home.

Jamie, Paris,

'Dangleberries' Mr. Clarkson, not 'dingleberries'.

Thankyou.

Kev F, Isle of Man,

Pablo from Edinburgh's writes that 'The British class system makes it OK to sneer at the less well-off and their inadequately funded schools'. Firstly, the parents of many pupils going to private schools and especially independent day / grammar schools are not loaded sneering toffs but ordinary folk who struggle to fund the best education they can for their kids, so that was an unwarranted sneer itself. Secondly, Clarkson is essentially a satirist with exaggeration therefore his main technique. But in any case he said he did NOT want to trade insults. He was pointing out how much unwarranted criticism of the private sector comes its way. The core of Clarkson's case here is that private education works very well and a lot of state schools plainly alas don't. As for your first point that he is an arrogant git, well he is, true, but again that can be a writer's persona too, but being one does not destroy his points even if to some eyes they may damage the presentation.

Name Withheld, Jyväskylä, Finland

Jeremy, 97% of pupils in Derbyshire (where I went to school, and where your alma mater, Repton is located) go to comprehensives. That's 29 out of every 30 pupils. Across the UK only 7% of pupils are privately educated, and I read yesterday in this paper that only 13% of privately educated pupils board - meaning that the proportion of the population who go to private boarding schools is about 1%. Why are we even talking about this - could it be that your immensely priviledged background means that you have no idea what's normal?

Matt D., Southampton, U.K.

Jeremy,

Merely an observation, but being myself a product of the state schooling (former USSR - yes, I was a soviet kid, and a pioneer, who attended a "socialist" school), I find it amazing (and amusing) that the only people who can maintain an interesting conversation about literature, poetry, ballet, music do come from the continent (France, Spain, fellow former soviet states, etc) where generally prevails the system of the state schooling. I came across a few guys with boarding education (Irish mostly, but to me it is all the same system) – hm, this blank look in the eyes when you drop a joke from O’Henry or even all-famous Joyce.

So this article rather shows how narrow-minded and old-fashion a one can be holding to the superiority of the class-niche.

AB, Dublin,

What's the point of having children if you're going to institutionalise them in boarding school? I agree that public schools generally tend to be better than their state counterpart but I find the whole boarding system barbaric. Children need to spend time with a loving family in order to fully flourish as individuals. Their accademic development is important but not more so than their social and emotive one.

Clara Policella, Bedford,

I went to a private boarding school in South Africa which is based on the English boarding school model. I had the time of my life, made the best friends i could ever imagine, spent time with guys from all walks of life, was encouraged to take part in a huge variety of activities from sport to drama. Yes i probably had an an advantage because my friends' dads are all directors of massive companies and have more money than the government and i have an inside track to getting a decent job. Would i ever apologise for that? No, why should i? My folks worked extra hard to send me to the most expensive school and could have spent the money on overseas holidays, instead they gave my brother and i the best education possible, incidentally my folks are this moment on a holiday in the UK paid for by me....I'd encourage everyone to do the best for their kids, if you're going to have them, you owe it to them to give them the best.

cameron, Durban, SA

As someone who spent a year in the Australian State system, 3 years in the UK state system and 2 years in a major public boarding school, I can say without a doubt that not only is private education wonderful, but also that there is something sorely lacking with the UK state system. I went to a 'good' UK state school which involved daily bullying for wanting to learn, and a culture where you had to appear 'tough' (despite the location of the school in a very well-to-do village/town). In contrast, my boarding school filled me with social know-how and gave me the confidence that had been bullied out of me at the State school.

My hope is that something is done to improve the quality of state schools. I think we should look to Australia for this, because despite not paying for anything, the education that I had there was on par with my Public school in England (which cost £24000per year). (And before anyone says that 'things have changed', I'd like to point out that i've just graduated)

Nina, London,

I attended a state school and achieved great grades. Nowadays, with nearly all students going on to university, it does not matter if you go to a public or state school.

thomas whitfield, leicester, UK

David in Sevenoaks, As I presume your comments on snobbishness were at least partially based on my post, I shall respond. The fact that you had a "better education" at your state school than you did at your private school is irrelevant, even if true. As Mr. Clarkson correctly pointed out, the only argument left for the state school supporters is to point out that one individual state school happens to be better than one individual private school (and this is almost always a silly comparison between a non-selective private and a selective state school) as if this can then be extrapolated for the entire private and state systems. I don't know the last time (and I doubt it has ever happened) that a state school topped the league tables, or that the top of said tables weren't made up almost entirely of private schools. This despite only 7% of the country's schools being private? The probability of state education being better is statistically insignificant; your experience is an anomaly.

J Curayat, London, UK

As someone who did badly at Repton,. what the devil does he know? Private education is killing this country. We recently considered moving to Loughborough (don't ask). Not a hope. We canned the idea, because the 2 state secondary schools there are unremittingly dreadful. We phoned the Ed ofice, loth to believe that such OFSTED was possible in a developed country. 30 years ago (when comprehensive came in) I was an advocate; what it's actually led to is a two-tier system - comps for the poor, decent private schools for the better-off.

Jean jackson, Sale, Cheshire

Jeremy Clarkson is the very man to write on this issue, although his brain is (professionally and lucratively) addled on some subjects like the Welsh.
Given a choice between a 1968 Skoda saloon and a decent 2006 4 -wheeler, which would you choose? The British are governed by people who can afford the latter - it is puerile to think that any of them will vote for first-class education to be 'given' to the rest of the population for free. You might as well ask them to provide all us oiks with 4-wheelers without paying the 36,000 pounds that they have to pay.
It used to be assumed that the mark of the (British) public school was that it taught Latin and Greek. The principal function, the inevitable function, of these schools is, and I think, always has been, to teach the 'right' accent.
We cannot blame them for that, any more than we can blame their customers for having cars that Jeremy likes a lot better than the Welsh.
You pays your money....(if you has any, off corss)..

John Carty, Medellin, Colombia

An earlier commenter wrote— "Surely if the quality you recieved was based on ability not money in your parents pockets then this country would allow the most ambitious and intelligent kids to develop and create the most skilled and educated workforce possible." True, it might be good for the country's economic life. But discriminating based on ability (something we inherit by accident) is no more fair nor warm-hearted than discriminating based on wealth (another thing we inherit by accident).

It amazes me to hear 'meritocracy' blindly accepted as morally virtuous, when it's really just another name for nature red in tooth and claw.

(My apologies for changing the subject slightly.)

R, Washingon, DC

Well said, Mr. Clarkson! What is the point in working hard, getting a good education and what not if you are to be critisized on how you spend your money? I attend a comprehensive school and I work hard, but it would be so much better if 90% of the school didn't spit on education and laugh at those who are trying to make something of their lives. It seems to be the current fashion to reject education, skip class and disobey rules and, frankly, I find it pathetic. This is what school life is like and I go to an excellent school in and excellent, middle class area. People think discrimination is such an issue but it isn't. I have a peanut allergy but I don't go round trying to sue Snickers for putting peanuts in their chocolate bars. It is the same principle. People have choices in life and go down different roads. Some are more skilled at this than others, so they do better. If you look back at most people's situations, it is their fault at source so they should deal with it!

J. Plonkinton-Smythe, Henley,

It was Proudhon not Marx who said property was theft.

Mike Shingleton, London, UK

Clarkson is an arrogant git. Had he not made it on telly. his kids would be going to state schools. The most sickening aspect of it all is the British class system, which makes it ok to sneer at the less well off and their inadequately funded schools.

Pablo, Edinburgh, Scotland

The problem with education (from my state school perspective) wasn't teh teachers, or the resources - it was the other pupils. Not al of them - I went to a state school in an area that ha both reasonably affluent 'professional' familes, and also something closer (but quite) a sink estate. The school was divided into those who were going somewhere, and those who weren't. Those who were went to university, and those who weren't went to McDonalds/Rehab/Jail. (I recall someone declining a detention because they were appearing in court - GBH charges.) Anyway, when the no-hopers left at 16, it got much better. Grammer school 6th formers came to our school then, because it was better. Streaming works. If you know you can switch stream, it gives you immediate goals to aim for. Only stream by intellect, rather than subject ability or we get stuck with the violent and stupid in PE. My children wil be going to Grammar school (11+ depending) -very few can afford private schooling.

Richard, Leighton Buzzard,

Boarding schools produce people who are much more independent, comfortable with life, community aware and capable of getting on with life irrespective of the conditions. My experiences of those from the state sector is exactly the opposite.
How people choose to spend their money is no concern of others Those who are worried about "rich kid "advantages need to tell us what your attitude is to the Beckham football classes who achieve massive life advantage with very little talent

peter, oxford, UK

Th trouble with Mr. Marx and Mr. Lenin's theories is that all principles based on complete human equality are self defeating. It requires everyone to start, live and end their lives in a similar manner. This makes Candide look like a pessimist (or assumes totalitarianism which needs rulers=aristocracy).
When the more able do better (having started from the same place, of course) , what then? Do they get more leisure, more money or just perform better because of their general love of humanity? Are they forbidden to spend their extra money/time as they wish? Will tutoring their children themselves be made illegal? It is human nature to want to improve your family's lot and if the more able can't use their abilities to improve their families' lives, they won't exactly strive to do well. If they are allowed to use their money / abilities (=power incidentally) then the commissars/politicans/bureaucrats will soon replace the aristocracy.

A Davies, London,

Jeremy,

I wonder how you would feel had your career not been a success and as a result not been able to send your children to a private school? How would you have felt watching the career chances of your children suffer because less intelligent and less hard working children were achieving better exam results (not a better education, you mistake the two for being the same thing) just because their parents could afford to do so?

An individual's career success in life should be determined by: their intelligence, their work ethic and their judgement when making career choices, nothing else! Not only is this fair but it is also beneficial to society as the best and most deserving will reach the top and generate economic prosperity for all. You rightly point out that other aspects of society are unequal, but many of these are actually beneficial to society in the long run; the same cannot be said about private schools.

Lawrie Morgan, York,

So you went to boarding school, that explains everthing......

bob simons, london, uk

Jeremy,

Didn't you consider homeschooling ? There are so many of us now that don't send our offspring to institutions to be educated for many reasons, not just to avoid the religious and political indoctrination that is increasingly a problem. Keeping the little darlings at home and giving them lessons in gardening, housework, car maintenance, earning a living and the financial realities of life is a better choice by far.

Trevor, Workington, Cumbria

Well Mr David Warren you say that we should grant gifted children better quality of education but have you not realised that would leave us with a massive problem. What happens to all those less abled children? Do they deserve to recive a worse education for not being born clever? This would mean they would grow up extremely disadvantaged. We would end up with a load of really clever people and millions of stupid people. Also most private schools offer Scholarships and or Bursaries which aid gifted individuals with out the resources to go to Private schools to do so.

Ze Moreirao, Abingdon, Oxford

Ill bet he's never behaved in a room.

audi driver, kelso, Borders

Jeremy Clarkson is just a snob.

Jason Mitchell, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hear hear. There is something that hasn't been mentioned much thus far: the main reason I send my children to public school is so that they can enjoy it. Whether private school is ethical, fair, or offer a superior education is of secondary importance; my kids enjoy their schooling immensely, and that is priceless.

James Cross, Blackpool,

Public schools are for socialists; indulging in lazyness; indiference; impertinence; imprudence and the like!!
God forbid; don´t remind us.
UKs are lucky having sufficient private educational bodies - Europeans hate them.

eddy jacobsen, L´don, UK

My parents didn't have the money to send me to a public school but I would have loved to have gone - I might have done better than my feeble Comprehensive school helped me achieve.

However, thanks to a flair for computers I am now in a position, when she reaches that age, to send my daughter to public school and I will - I don't care what anyone says - if you have the opportunity to give your child a head start, a better chance in life than other less fortunate children then you have a duty to do so.

Politics shouldn't get in the way of a childs future.

Ryan Morrison, Jersey,

Clarkson, I don't always agree with you, but on this topic you're brilliant.

louise, brighton, uK

Clarkson quotes from the same web page…..

“I’ve always been the biggest fan of private education”

“The outdoor garden heater I bought back in May, to annoy George Monbiot, is still in its box in six bits because I simply cannot fathom how they all go together”

Dave Foulkes, Dorking, Surrey

I believe it was linseed oil. You're gated. (Another excellent article! Keep up the good work!)

Warren, Shanghai,

I totally agree with the sentiments put forward. Boarding school was the by far the best thing my parents could possibly have done for me and provided me with a childhood nothing short of idyllic.

James Warren, Suffolk, UK

It seems strange to me that Congress is complaining so loud about our boy's getting killed in Iraq when there are more Killing's in Los Angeles County in one night than in all of Iraq. Gangs threaten our country as much as terrorists do. Gangs have a habit of growing into Armies as shown south of the border. So Congress, how about thinking about GANG REFORM.

Frank Woodruff, Monett, Missouri

The world is not fair so we don't need to try to make it fairer?

Other places have managed an inclusive, quality education system which generates neither gormless louts nor spoiled rich kids. Why can't the Brits?

david gilchrist, Oslo, Norway

I have bee to private, standard comprehensives and religious schools in my time and I have to say that if I have the money to send my children to private schools I will. The comprehensive school I went to bored me and becasue I wasn't a delinquent and could read they pretty much ignored me, which meant that my education suffered badly.
We do not live in a country of unfair wealth distribution but that is life and what is money for if not for bettereing your life and that of those around you.

Johanna, London,

Jeremy, firstly don’t get the term “Public” and “Private” schools mixed up (they mean the same thing, except in the USA where a Public School is funded by the state for example.)
I would have to go so far as to agree with you that if a parent of a child can afford the fees of a Public School (most of which are over priced as many Public Schools are registered charities and avoid tax), and has the inclination to want the child to go to one then that is absolutely fine; but to say that wealthier families who wish to use public sector services are “rich bastards clogging up the system for everyone else” is a tad unfair.
I am 18 and in the upper sixth of a Catholic school. Before that I spent five years at a State Comprehensive despite having the choice to go to a Public School: the best five years of my life. I know kids from Public Schools who think that they had a good time, the fact is they don’t have a clue what a good time is! Some may argue, of course, that school is for....

Sam Dawkins, Loughton, UK

I agree with Sarah

robert williamson, muston, south australia

i went to both state and public school and have to say i enjoyed both equally. There were bad kids, troublemakers and carefree staff in both. There was also great sport, good kids, brilliant teachers in both. What the country really needs is an education system that makes parents question the worth of private schools.

rb, london,

She might, or she might hate it, as some have done, but again Jeremy shatters conventional wisdom and ploughs through PC. Refreshing.

Will, Atlanta, USA

Good on you Mr Clarkson, I agree with you. If you have the good fortune to be able to provide a better start in life for your children, why should people criticise you for it? They do, but they shouldn't, they are just jealous I think, but as long as you know that you are doing the right thing by your children, then that is the only thing that matters.

Big Love To You. xx <3 xx

Sarah Williamson, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

I can only add a minor correction to ryan of Aberdeen's missive. "Socialist policies HAVE BEEN the downfall of this country". God save Kent, who (I am told) still have grammar schools. Et - bon - félicitations a la systeme francaise !!

Chris Swann, St-Pardoux-la-Riviere, France

oh my god! Can we have a few comments from state school attendees please. Its all fair and right to trumpet on about how brilliant the private system is and how it saved your life, when you actually were lucky enough to go. Ryan.. why should ambitious and intelligents kids be held back by society not wanting them to go private? What about the millions of ambitious and intelligent kids that are held back because they have no other choice than to go to a sub-standard state school? I dont believe any of you have the slightest idea what it would be like to go to a school that averages an F in GCSE's and then try to succeed.
And Jeremy you just cant compare inconsitincies in the provision of education and health to being born fat or ugly.
Surely if the quality you recieved was based on ability not money in your parents pockets then this country would allow the most ambitious and intelligent kids to develop and create the most skilled and educated workforce possible.

David Warren, Newcastle, UK

Well, Mr Lenin would say that you wouldn´t be able to afford it, since he´d take your extra money away from you and make you the same as everybody else. Then you'd sink or swim according to your own ability only. You seem to have the rather naive idea that if some people have a better start than others, it´s a natural law, like being fat or thin or tall or short (I´ll leave out the full list of your other lookist references).

Marx said that all property was theft. This means that historically speaking, the rich stole from the poor by a combination of cunning and violence. Mainly violence. This is one of the great facts of human life.

If you really doubt this, check out how the class system was established in the Dark Ages after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and subsequently, the feudal system. This isn´t merely ancient and irrelevant since most English aristocratic families trace that privilege back that process.

cerronevado, Malaga, Spain

how did he get away with the "dig" about being Welsh... or hasn't anyone noticed it? Racist I call it ,whether or not I agree .. dont plan on any holidays there Jeremy

ed bradbury, bournemouth, dorset

I was guardian for Japanese students attending independent school as full borders from 1994-2003 (when I returned to Japan). And I have to say the results were very gratifying. Japanese teenagers obtained fluency in English far more effectively than by attending specialised language schools. Even if they did have to repeat the school year. Japanese parents would often send their child to UK for an education as a last resort; essentially exporting their problem. Although these children were hardly delinquent they did have problems, but the independent school system in UK turned them around, gave their life structure and provided a peer group. Also, the confidence that came from a clearly defined career path. Can't imagine many families can afford this now; fees have almost doubled since 2003 to some £7,000 a term. I gave it up because Britain, and specifically Oxford had become too dangerous for teenagers, and the responsibility too great. And being Japanese and attending a "posh" school did tend to paint a target on them with the local yobs.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano

These days everyone pays loads of tax, and a high standard of education should be available for all - this is supposed to be one of the biggest economies in the world. State education has to be the best and has to meet the needs of business and economy. Education in this country needs pushing on big time - never mind this twoddle about private education, never mind comprehensive systems and grammar schools. Where is the UK going?

Rob D, Reading, UK

Well, Mr Lenin would say that you wouldn´t be able to afford it, since he´d take your extra money away from you and make you the same as everybody else. Then you'd sink or swim according to your own ability only.

You seem to have the rather naive idea that if some people have a better start than others, it´s a natural law, like being fat or thin or tall or short (I´ll leave out the list of your other lookist references, for the sake of avoiding stooping to your level of debate).

Marx said that all property was theft. This means that historically speaking, the rich stole from the poor by a combination of cunning and violence. Mainly violence. This is one of the great facts of human life.

If you really doubt this, check out how the class system was established in the Dark Ages after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and subsequently, the feudal system. This isn´t merely ancient and irrelevant since most English aristocratic families trace that privilege back that process.

cerronevado, Malaga, Spain

Having spent the majority of my educational life in the private sector and then moving to a Grammar school for the Sixth Form, I can safely say that the education I received was far superior in the state system. It is frustrating to hear these snobbish remarks, and ignorant views - which can only come from those who haven't experienced/ would be ashamed to experience the State system. And the idea that there is jealousy surrounding money is offensive - the assumption that parents who don't send their children to private schools cannot afford too is ridiculous. The private schooled students live in a bubble and become rude and selfish and suffer from a superiority complex.

Many of my friends from the private school would regularly ask: "What even is a grammar school?" or inquire as to why no one was boarding. It is clear these students will grow to become more arrogant, condescending versions of their parents; many of whom now blank me once they realised I had changed sectors.

David , Sevenoaks, Kent

As a Guardian reader who takes a dim view of the social segregation of education and yet who sends his kids to a private school, I feel uniquely qualified to respond to Jeremy here. My kids go to a private school because I am lucky enough to be able to afford it, and the state schools round here leave a great deal to be desired. My misgivings about the private/state system are not based on the notion that private schools are educationally bad (i.e. worse or no better than the alternative) nor on the notion that private schools are ethically bad (i.e. an immoral choice on the part of the parents who choose them). My misgivings are based on the fact that I worry about the millions of kids who would benefit from an education as good as the one my kids get but who cannot so benefit. This does seem unfair but, unlike being born ginger, it could be fixed. And on the subject of "ginger", someone who predates 13 year old kids is a paedophile. Homosexuality is a quite separate issue.

Mike, Bradford, UK

It is unfortunate that views such as those detailed by Clarkson are not proclaimed by others. Clarkson, in the main, writes in an humerous mode and his views can be put aside as 'bad taste' if there is an adverse reaction. However, the views are held quietly by all those who support boy patronage the public school system and by those who clamour for the grammar schools. There should be no adverse reaction these views should be held by all parents.

Mr Clarkson makes a valid point, it is a pity that it the 'word' is hidden in his normal column.

Antony Rigby, Farnham,

I entirely agree Clarkson. So many people argue over this matter, and nobody really tries to see it from the point of view of a child, like me! I went to a comprehensive school for 3 years and i hated it! 95% Of people there are chavs, and even in the top set, need help with 4x6... I've now moved to a pirvate school and i love it! In many comprehensive schools, like my old one, you can see students year by year deteriating,, but i say, hey, if they want to have a life of working in Mc'donalds, i say let them, we need those people for all the minor jobs that nobody wants. They've made a decision to do no work and mess about in school, let them live with the concequences. Jeremy Clarkson for Prime minister!

Mark, Bromley, UK

You have actually written before about education.

Goenigoegoe, Amsterdam,

If you can afford something and want it, then why not? I always wanted to go to private school. It sounded like such an adventure, but then I did read far too much 'Bunty' when I was a child.

Yvonne, London,

If you can afford something and want it, then why not?
I always wanted to go to private school. It sounded like such an adventure, but then I did read far too much 'Bunty' when I was a child.

Yvonne, London,

Well said, Clarkson, even if some of your examples were extreme. I don't worry myself too much with people who speak ill of the private system. They almost always either have no experience of a private school and can merely regurgitate daft and usually untrue stories, or cannot afford it and hate anyone who can. People call me un-PC when I say that there is no way on earth my children will not be going to private boarding schools, but I don't care a fig. I had an awesome time at boarding school and so did my brother. I know a few people who didn't have such a good time but this is usually due to isolated incidents/ circumstances.

J Curayat, London, UK

Well done, Jeremy. Nice to have someone write what he thinks, and not tell me what I'm supposed to think. And it's free on the internet...

John Bald, Linton, Cambs

Nice one Jeremy. I do sympathise with the pain of sending a child to boarding school, but then parents always feel the loss when their children step out into their own independent lives. And she will have a great time - a survey a couple years ago said 12% of children at boarding school missed their parents and 23 % of parents missed the kids. Your daughter will have great teaching, great opportunities and a super life of her own, winging back to a happy home in between times.
Good luck to you both.

Hilary Moriarty, London,

Exactly! If you can afford a better education for your kids then you should get it for them and not be treated like leper by those too dragged down by their jealousy to go out and earn the money to do it themselves.

Grammar Schools are the same. Why should an ambitious and intelligent child be held back by a society who believes their kids should be taught to the lowest common denominator when that child can find a place in a school which prides itself on it's ability to actually TEACH kids?

Socialist teaching policies will be the downfall of this country.

Ryan, Aberdeen, Scotland

For your information, Jeremy, Grammar schools are for gifted youngsters to mix with other gifted youngsters. If the teachers are good it is a bonus, but this is rarely the case, as the pay isn't as good as it is in public schooling.

Justin, Alford, UK

As a grammar school boy I can assure Jeremy that avoiding secmod as it was then, saved my life. Granted I did not do too well there but after floundering for a few years I found my feet and became a school teacher. This gave me a modestly comfortable life and the chance to work abroad for most of my career. The only thing I would have perhaps enjoyed more would have been Art college, but I would most likely have ended up as a teacher anyway. Grammar schools as they were then were a poor man's Public School, providing a classically based education to children who would never have had a chance to experience it otherwise

billcarr, turku, finland