Why do Private schools ask for parents' profession on application forms?

[LondonMummer]

I'm currently applying for a series of 13+ entries for my son. A number of schools ask for details of parents' profession on the application form (mandatory response required). I'm proud of what I do and have no issue sharing it but I don't understand why this has any relevance to an application. I've heard CLS even ask boys in the interview what their parents do. Can anyone enlighten me?

In my opinion most likely because it's 'something they've always done', like they always asked for occupatins in a census/on a marriage certificate, etc.

The practice in many cases probably goes back a loooong time, back to the days when the main distinction was between 'gentlemen' and people who worked, i.e. predating the emergence of the 'professional class'.

I highly doubt it's there to ensure that only PLU get in, or even as a crude solvency check [even though parents pleading poverty midway through an education is far from unheard of].

I am absolutely certain it's not there to promote diversity.

I think it's just, y'know, tradition.