Today's podcast welcomes Robert Verkaik to speak about his book, Posh Boys, how English public schools ruin Britain.

In a fascinating discussion Robert outlines why he feels that the public school system doesn't work. He outlines some of his research into the private education system and what the issues are. Why is this divisive system no longer working? And what are some of the solutions to this issue?

---

Robert is an author and journalist specialising in security and social mobility. His journalism appears in the Guardian, Independent, i newspaper, Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times. 

In 2013 he was runner-up at the National Press Awards for the category of specialist journalist. Robert has also been long-listed for the Orwell Prize and the Paul Foot Award. In 2001 he was named law journalist of the year and has twice been runner-up.

He is the author of five books.

Questions for Robert:

1. I would love for you to share some of your journey into the work that you now do.
2. Could you please speak more about the English public schools. What drew you into writing the book, Posh Boys? How are these public schools the ruin of Britain?
3. Could you speak a little about the history of public schools. How did they begin? Were they always intended for the privileged? How did the educational ideals of people like William Wykeham become usurped by England's rich and powerful families?
4. Could you speak to the link between the brutal nature of public schooling and the brutal suppression in Asia and Africa during the British Empire? (P.34) What were the public schools like during that time? Did that impact how the British ruled their Empire?
5. Michael Goldfarb mentions that the elite and the 'Establishment' used to be in the church, the military and the Empire. But now it has shifted towards the corporate world. Could that be a reason why the UK government, judiciary, business and military have such strong ties to the public schools? How does it impact the rest of the UK having this close knit community?
6. You mention the word apartheid in your book. Would you say that we now have a subtle class divide (P. 308 PB) that is a type of social apartheid? Only those that are rich get the tops jobs.
7. How have these public schools increased the divide between rich and poor? Why is it that we won't get rich?
8. Is the public school system fit for purpose? Is it helping to bring us closer together to build a fairer society or is it driving us apart? (P. 6 PB)
9. I would love you speak about the current energy and cost of living crisis. Has the public school system exacerbated the problem?
10. We now have a new non-private school educated prime minister in Liz Truss. Do you feel that things can now start to change?
11. What do you feel is the solution to the crisis that we are now faced with?

#poshboys #publicschools #privateschools #leadershipcrisis

---

An Evolving Man (AEM) Podcast is for men (and women) who want to grow, evolve and want support in learning how to do this.

On a regular basis there will be an interview around men's (and women's) topics ranging from self-development, relationships, spirituality, archetypes, trauma, boarding school syndrome and men's work featuring authors and leaders in this field.

The sense with these interviews is to support people during these times of change. What are the teachings, tools and practices that you can use to help you through these turbulent times?