Until near the end of the Victorian Times wealth children would be educated at home. Boys on turning 10 would go to Public schools like Eton or Harrow, girls would remain studying at home with private tutors.
A classical education - which forms the basis of a liberal education - in Victorian times meant to be prepared to occupy that rank of society to which persons destined for the services would usually belong, maintaining thus a sense of hierarchy and class order which means promises of privilege and ascendancy.
Therefore, a classical education for a wealthy man or woman would provide the tools for the maintenance of the status quo and for further ascension on society.