Ruling‐class Classification and Framing

Abstract

This article discusses the relationships between school, higher education and work for pupils at public boarding schools. It uses the concepts of classification and framing developed by Basil Bernstein to illuminate the continuities and contradictions in experience of these pupils as they pass from school to university and into their careers.

The role of these schools in the reproduction of the ruling class is shown to be related to the ability that these public boarding schools have to offer a mixture of both an integrated and collection type code. Finally, speculations are made about the possible effects of recent changes within these schools.