[originaltext] The oldest public schools were founded to give free education

The oldest public schools were founded to give free education to clever boys whose parents could not afford to educate them privately (26) . They were under "public" management or control. But today these schools, and similar ones which were built within the past 120 years, are mostly boarding’ schools (27) . The pupils live as well as study there. Some public schools also take day-pupils. Normally pupils are admitted by examination. Since state schools do not prepare children for this, parents who wish to send their children to a public school often send them first to a preparatory school Preparatory schools are small, private primary schools which prepare children for the public school examination (28) .
    Public schools have produced many of Britain’s most famous and distinguished men and women and many parents are still ready to make great sacrifices to send their children there. More pupils come from Britain’s upper classes or wealthy families.