I am not suggesting that we should leave the private sector alone, just that it is no use trying to abolish it outright without first having persuaded the majority of those who currently use that sector that it is not the right way forward. In fact I am not persuaded that total abolition is the way forward, if there is sufficient reformation.
As for my argument about kids flourishing in schools, what I was saying is that if they are not happy they will not do as well as they could, and that one reason for them not being happy can be that they are on a totally different level socially to the majority of their peers. I do not see how you can argue against this proposition! Whether they would be willing to go to the school or would prefer a different one where they fit in better depends in the amount of independent spirit the particular child has, but I would suggest that the majority would prefer to be on a more equal footing if given the choice, and that parents will take this into account (along with a whole bunch of other criteria) when choosing the school they send the kid to.
You are trying to counter my position by arguing about a different situation. I was not talking about the 'run-of-the-mill' private school, where I agree there is a gradation from the middle to the upper ranges of wealth, but of the 'elite' schools like Eaton, which only those in the upper bands of wealth can afford. In one of these schools someone from a council estate with parents on 'manual workers' level of salary would not have a snow-ball's chance in hell of fitting in.
You also contested my point that to get a poor kid into one of these schools would need the govt to pay the fees, but if the govt doesn't then who will? - O K There may be a few philanthropists who set up bursaries for such kids, but there would not be enough of these places for there to be a substantial number of such kids in an elite school, and without a 'critical mass', those who do get in will have a pretty hard time of it....
I am not saying that we should ignore the situation and hope it goes away. I do agree that the private sector needs shaking up and (especially) the elite schools knocking off their pedestal, but I do not think that abolishing them outright now is the answer!