I am fortunate enough to go to a great public school that is typically farther ahead, or right on par with the private schools. From my experience, the private school system here has massive fall backs. It was very cliquey and you could pay for your marks. I never found the teachers to be any better than what I have now, and I always felt very sheltered and lacked street skills. Only the wealthy can typically get into private schools and because of that it gave a very unrealistic view of the real world.

Also, private schools have excellent reputations and top universities will be very interested in a pupil from a top private school, as are potential employers
I actually disagree. Around here, top universities are just as interested in the public school students as they are in private. If you have the marks for a top university than it doesn't matter where you came from.

In the end, there is no right answer. Education is what you make it and it various from person to person.