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Eton is the home of England's most posh public school
- a testament to fine education and proof that the English
class system is still well and truly alive. Eton claims to
educate without arrogance, a bold statement for an institution
that essentially serves to gentrify the upper classes.
Eton's great alumni
Eton is the most prestigious school in the country for boys
aged thirteen to eighteen with past pupils including both
Prince William and Prince Harry - the second
and third in line to the Commonwealth throne. Eighteen British
Prime Ministers, the founder of Amnesty International,
and countless princes have all schooled at Eton. George
Orwell, Harold Macmillan, William Gladstone, Ian Fleming,
and Christopher Lee are just a few of Eton's grand
alumni. Eton also trained great military men from days gone
by. Lord Wellington said that 'Waterloo was won on
the playing fields of Eton,' and today you can see the plaque
of Eton's most recent war hero who died in service in Iraq.
History of Eton
The school was started back in 1440 by King Henry VI and
was originally set up to provide free education for 70 scholars.
Six centuries years later, fees top an enormous £23,000
($40,000) per year - the same as the average person in Britain's
pre-tax income for a year - and that's just for the privileged
few who are accepted into the school. Up until the 1960s you
had to be registered at birth in order to take the common
entrance exam. There are still a few scholarships awarded
each year but there is fierce competition for these.
Boarding at Eton
All Eton pupils live at the school during term time, attending
lessons on a Saturday, extra activities in the evenings, and
church on Sundays. Each boy becomes a member of a house which
they will board in for the duration of their stay. Here they
are put in the care of a House Master, Dame, and Tutor who
will look after all their needs. There are so many words specific
to Eton that their website even has its own glossary.
Touring Eton
If you want to get glimpse of Eton life for a snip of the
price then you can tour the school. General admission costs
£3.80 ($7) and gives access to the School Yard, College
Chapel, The Cloisters, and the Museum of Eton Life.
A guided tour costs £4.90 ($8) and lasts around an hour.
Any groups of eight or more people must book a tour in advance.
Other places of interest nearby
Tom Browns Tailors
No. 1 Eton High Street is the place Etonians go for their
special uniform: crisp white shirt, waistcoat, dickie bow,
long tails, pin striped trousers, and black shiny shoes. Etonians
between the 1850s and the 1940s would have also worn a top
hat.
Windsor Castle
Eton is located near Windsor on the River Thames,
about an hour outside London. Near here is Windsor Castle,
one of three official residences of the Queen which is a great
place to visit. It is the largest inhabited castle in the
world and has been the monarchy's main address for over 900
years. You can tell if the Queen is in by what type of flag
is flying. If the Union Jack is flying this means she
isn't in residence, but if she is then the Royal Standard
is flying. A tour costs £12.50 ($20) for adults and
£6.50 ($11) for children. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7930
9625 to book.
Legoland
If you are traveling with kids then treat them to a day at
Legoland in Windsor, with over 50 interactive attractions.
Tel: +44 (0) 8705 040404. |
