The Public Schools Act 1868 (31 & 32 Vict. c.118) was enacted by the British Parliament to reform and regulate nine leading English boys' schools. These so-called public schools all grew out of ancient charity schools originally established to provide for a few poor scholars, but then, as today, educated many sons of the English upper and upper-middle classes on a fee-paying basis.
The Act followed the report of the Clarendon Commission, a Royal Commission on Public Schools which sat from 1861 to 1864 and investigated conditions and abuses which had grown up over the centuries at nine nationally famous charity schools, seven of which are in South East England, and two in the Midlands:
- Charterhouse School
- Eton College
- Harrow School
- Merchant Taylors' School
- Rugby School
- Shrewsbury School
- St Paul's School
- Westminster School
- Winchester College
The Act removed these schools from any direct jurisdiction or responsibility of the Crown, established church or government, establishing a board of governors for each school and granting them independence over their administration. The Act led to rapid development of the schools, away from the traditional classics-based curriculum taught by clergymen, to a broader scope of studies.
The Public Schools Acts were revised and further modified in 1869 and 187, and extended to a few more schools. Twentieth-century child-protection legislation applies to public schools (most of which, unlike most state schools, are boarding schools). In general they now operate rather more inclusive admissions policies, and may soon be legally obliged to do so under the Charities Act 2006.
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