The consequences of rising demand for an expensive London education

The Economist:

A CURIOUS WRINKLE in the strange case of Bo Xilai, the fallen Chinese politician, and Neil Heywood, his erstwhile British friend, is that Mr Heywood, who was allegedly murdered by Mr Bo's wife, is said to have helped their son, Bo Guagua, to get into Harrow, one of London's leading schools. This is not unusual. Woody Webster, of Bright Young Things, a consultancy that helps get children into London schools, cites "Chinese aristocrats" as a big growth area.

Quality is one reason rich foreigners want to send their children to school in London. According to the OECD, Britain's private schools are the best in the world, and London's schools are better than those elsewhere in Britain. Security is another reason for rich people from troubled countries, who are often more determined than the locals to get their children into the right establishments. "I've met children whose parents watch them on Skype while they're working," says Mr Webster.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at July 11, 2012 3:54 AM
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