I am wondering whether the market for private education has shrunk since the 70s when I was child. I am guessing it has given the number of schools that have closed. I'm thinking that housing is now more expensive and people spend more on housing and extensions etc and have less to spend on private education?
I went to an all girls private school and since then the local private boys school also takes girls and my old school is not as academically selective as it was and does not do as well in the exams as it does.
I now also see this at my children's school. At the junior school it is academically non selective and there seems to be more emphasis on extra curricular than academics. Many parents seem more interested in extra curricular than academics. The local boys public school is now co-ed and I get the impression all of these schools are struggling to get 'bums on seats'.
We are outside of London and the home counties... I'm guessing its a different story in London...