The independent school sector owes an awful debt of gratitude to Harry Potter. Because prior to the young wizard’s hijinks in Hogwarts, boarding schools had something of a reputation – borne out by tales of mental anguish for the young children sent there and depressingly regular incidents of abuse. But the magic of JK Rowling’s books cast a spell over a generation and perceptions shifted dramatically. Coupled, of course, with society’s zero-tolerance of any such nefarious behaviour. Add to that, the recent BBC TV adaptation of Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers, and the institution has seen a remark…
