abr1de The article in question is a political statement. I don't think anyone takes any notice of political statements.
OZ and NZ educated teachers abound in the UK system.
I think that the major problem is that there is still a huge class divide in the UK.
There seems to be a huge divide between public and private education.
In OZ, if you feel that way inclined, fees for private schools are relatively cheap. Of
course you have the elite private schools, but academically their results are not any better than your normal selective state high school.
At the end of year 12, all children, however they are educated, have access to whichever university they wish to attend.
The wealthy families usually pay their fees upfront while the less financial families usuallu use the government HECS systems whereby the fees are paid through the students tax when their income reaches a specific level.
A students' financial situation never precludes them from attending the universiy of their choice.
A prime example of this is Australia's new Prime Minister. A child of Welsh immigrants, educated at a state school.
I think when choosing a school for your child,you have to be completely honest with yourself as to your motives for choosing a particular school.
If you can easily afford the fees for a good private school because you wish your child to mix with the "better class" of child and not with the riff raff, then go ahead.
Remembering that at the end of the day, they catch a bus and a train and attend university with people from all walks of life.
If you can only afford to send your child to the local state school, again, be proud of your child's achievements because what they learn at home is the most important thing in the end.