I'm not denying that perception. I've seen a lot of it. Much of it is based on very shaky foundations, that's all. Sometimes a child's education may be better for its not being executed in a single-sex school or a faith school or a grammar school, but for being experienced in an environment with a good mix of kids from all walks of life. Who's to say that a school with a good collection of hairy-arse teachers, a few Tories in their midst and a few socialists and a few geeks in the mix, isn't better for kids growing up than a school with a fierce Mother Superior scowling at you at prayers and constant visits to the chapel and frequent halts for prayers and hymns? No matter how nice and orderly it looks from the outside?