Photographer Victoria Hely-Hutchinson captures the mischief of England's public schools

British photographer Victoria Hely-Hutchinson’s series Public School is an ongoing project that explores the juvenile scenes behind the polished facades of England’s elite boarding schools. The inclusion of a stern letter addressed to her parents within the collection suggests that the project is inspired by the Brooklyn-based photographer’s personal experience of rigid discipline and institutional education.

Showcasing the mischievous manoeuvres of boarders aged between seven and 18 years old, Victoria’s images are often shot in the shadows of twilight or isolated corners of sweeping campuses. Throughout the series, close-up shots of mildly disobedient teenagers are contrasted with traditionally composed images. Not only does it highlight the ageing grandeur of the schools’ interiors and architecture, but it suggests a power struggle between antiquated perspectives on the role of childhood and modern youth.