Independent Schools, Private Education

Private schools are like public schools in many ways, but their differences can make them feel worlds apart at times.

For teachers, as well as students and parents considering their options, independent school books and private education books can offer insights into those differences. They can highlight what it’s like to study at a private school, the unique challenges and opportunities they may face there, and the tips and advice any student might need to succeed in one.

At Booktopia, we carry a wide range of education books, including a selection of private education books for teachers, students, and parents.

Popular independent school books
If you’re not sure where to start, try searching for ‘best-sellers’ to see what’s most popular right now.

One hugely popular book is A Very Private School, which is a memoir from a man named Charles Spencer. He shares his story as someone who was sent away to a private, exclusive English boarding school when he was eight years old. He talks about the culture of cruelty, the strange secrets, the homesickness, and how he could never speak up about it all. Of course, schools are very different today, but it offers a bleak look – and a genuine insight – into the harsh conditions of private schools only a generation or two ago.

Another great read is How the New Education Establishment Betrayed the World’s Poorest Children. This release explores education in low-income countries, and how international bodies have let the world’s children down with education systems and policies that have seen a decline in public education. It goes on to discuss why everyday people are working hard to reject public schools and work towards private schools, even if those private schools are low quality. It is written by Joanna Harma, who has extensive work experience in these systems.

Private education books for teachers
Teachers interested in the private school education system can explore some of the titles more targeted towards those in the profession.

For example, Privatization In and Of Public Education offers a perspective on the shift of education from being a public good, to being a private commodity. This analysis explores two types of privatization; exogenous and endogenous. The former referring to policies that give the private sector more rights and authority, and the latter referring to policies that make public schools operate more like businesses. This makes for an insightful, carefully researched read for anyone who has worked in modern schools.