In the wake of the Education Reform Act the private sector has a golden opportunity to play a positive part in the overall future of education in this country. Or does it? Private schools know about financial management and are equally well versed on issues such as alcohol abuse and sixth form curriculum. But just how far will they go with the Government on the national curriculum, appointing more parents to be school governors and similar contentious issues? Is there a golden opportunity or something less inviting ahead for the private sector?

Professor John Rae was the Gresham Professor of Rhetoric between 1988 and 1990. He was educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and the Department of War Studies, King's College London. He was headmaster of Westminster School between 1970 and 1986.