Old boy network
From Free net encyclopedia
In the United Kingdom, an old boy network refers directly to social and business associations among former pupils of top public schools (independent secondary schools) and, to a lesser degree, to university students (notably Oxbridge), and indirectly to preservation of social elites over time without regard to merit.
The expression 'old school tie' has essentially the same meaning. 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.