How did Thomas Arnold influence Rugby School?

Thomas Arnold, the father of the critic Matthew Arnold, served as headmaster of Rugby School from 1828 until 1842, where he transformed the institution into a prominent public school.1

His influence was defined by his goal to reform the school into an establishment for gentlemen. Rather than introducing new teaching methods, he revolutionized school governance by expanding the prefect system. By empowering older students to act as house monitors responsible for the discipline of younger boys, he created a model of student leadership that was subsequently adopted by most English secondary schools.1

The "Arnold tradition" became a standard for British education, as many schools established after his death were explicitly modeled on the structure and culture he cultivated at Rugby.1