Public school

Public school in the United States means a school funded by taxpayers where children get free education. In the United Kingdom such schools are called State schools. Public school in the United Kingdom means a very select private school. Traditionally British Public schools were boarding schools where parents from the elite would send their sons to get beaten by headmasters, housemasters and prefects. Today corporal punishment is illegal in British schools. Rich parents pay very high fees to get their children, (usually sons) a select education at public schools. Some British public schools accept girls especially 16 years old or over in the 6th form.