What were British schools like 40 years ago? (Discipline, environment, etc.)?

There are two kinds of education. Lower classes have always been educated to perform a job. That system produces servants, technicians, and soldiers. Upper classes have always had a very different education in a system that produces generals, philosophers, and entrepreneurs. Here are a book and an essay to help you understand:
The Lost Tools of Learning www.gbt.org/text/sayers.html
The Underground History Of Public Education (PDF) mhkeehn.tripod.com/ughoae.pdf