school´s out

There is one thing that I notice very often when walking through towns in England and Germany - schools. And with that I mean the buildings.
In England they are usually housed in a nondescript functional building from the 60´s up to the 90´s. Not something you need to look at because of it´s intriguing architecture for sure.

In Germany those ugly buildings do exist as well but the majority of schools, at least here, still look what I imagine an institution should look like.
Imposing palaces of varied architectural styles.
More Harry Potter, less eyesore.

You look at them and just know what the smell is like inside (I guess that counts for the English schools as well).
If you are like me and prefer to do whatever it is that you have to do in a pretty building than a functional one then in the UK you are in for a disappointment.

I´m not sure of the reason behind this - did English schools grow more and needed more space? Are there less schools there? Or am I simply looking at the wrong examples (and don´t start with Eton now)?
If you know of a school in the UK that is still within it´s old and impressive building then please let me know!