Locke has no intention of forming a unique and complete educational philosophy, but seems to be deliberately trying to expose some failures of educational reform in the17th century and introduce his own thoughts. British writers such as john evelyn, John Aubrey, John Eachard and John Milton all advocated "similar curriculum and educational method reform", but they failed to gain wide support.

With Britain becoming more and more mercantilist and secularist, the value of humanistic education in the Renaissance has been considered unrealistic by many people.