An old boy network or society can refer to social and business associations among former pupils of top male-only public schools (independent secondary schools) in the United Kingdom, such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester and Charterhouse, private schools in Canada, and, to a lesser degree, to university students (notably Oxbridge), and indirectly to preservation of social elites over time. “Old girl” redirects here. ... A public school, in current English, Welsh and Northern Ireland usage, is a (usually) prestigious independent school, for children usually between the ages of 11 or 13 and 18, which charges fees and is not financed by the state. ... The Kings College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor, commonly known as Eton College or just Eton, is a public school (privately funded and independent) for boys, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. It is located in Eton, near Windsor in England, north of Windsor Castle, and... Harrow School, (originally: The Free Grammar School of John Lyon; generally: Harrow), is an independent school for boys (aged 13-18), and is located in Harrow on the Hill in the London Borough of Harrow. ... Winchester College is a well-known boys independent school, and an example of an English public school, in the city of Winchester in Hampshire, England. ... Charterhouse School (Originally, Suttons Hospital in Charterhouse), usually known simply as Charterhouse, is a famous boys English public school, located in Godalming in the county of Surrey. ... Private schools, or independent schools, are schools not administered by local, state, or national government, which retain the right to select their student body and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition rather than with public (state) funds. ... Oxbridge is a name used to refer to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the two oldest in the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world. ...

• This arrangement, and its existence within the Civil Service, was a primary theme in the BBC's long-running satirical comedy series Yes Minister.

However, literal 'Old Boy Networks' may not necessarily have the same connotations. Many male-only schools, both public- and state-run, have 'Old Boy Societies', with a sole aim to maintain an Old Boy's association with their school. This form of Old Boy Network is similar to an alumni association. Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC television and radio between 1980 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. ... An alumni association is an association of former students (alumni). ...

Other terms

• The expression 'old school tie' has essentially the same meaning as the business association interpretation of 'Old Boy Network'. This expression derives from the existence of literal school ties indicating that the wearer is an 'old boy' of a particular school. This expression is sometimes used in Australia (where there is a system of grammar schools which base themselves on British public schools and have a similar association with the upper class).

• 'Jobs for the boys' also has a similar meaning, obviously referring specifically to employment, and with less of a specific association of upper-class origin.

• An 'old girl network' is essentially the same sort of organisation, official or unofficial, for girls' schools.

“Old girl” redirects here. ... Upper class refers to the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. ...

See also

• Good ol' boy network in the United States
• Alumni association
• Guanxi in China
• Old boy network (Finland)