Introductory Task
You are the survivors of a terrible world wide disaster. There are several hundred people.
You need to pass on your knowledge to the next generation and to each other so they can rebuild the world.
You have a completely free rein to design an effective education system for the survivors.
What would your system be like? (in pairs, 10 minutes)
HOW IS THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF GREAT BRITAIN ORGANISED?
Understanding how British society plans and organises the education of young people.
Sociological Targets
You will understand that the education system is an important institution in our society.
You will recognise that there are a number of forces that affect the shape that the education system takes in a society: political, ideological, economic and traditional.
You will understand the form of the UK education system and recognise some of the factors that have shaped it.
Personal targets
To undertake personal research into the education system.
To work with others in the class on discussion points during the lesson
To meet assessment deadlines
Websites to support your learningwww.dfes.gov.uk/ This is the website of the Department for Education and Skills. Lots
of official data and government information is available, as well as policy documents and links to other official sties
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education This is the BBC site and is of course, excellent for current stories and
background information.http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/Education-line is an academic site with research papers and links.www.tes.co.ukThis is the teaching newspaper. You can see in the LRC, but the site
is useful because there are discussion forums and news articles about education in Britain. See what teachers say to each when pupils are not about!
www.atss.org.ukUse any of the sites recommended by the Association for the
Teaching of Social Sciences. They really are all very good.
The history of education
The education system set up in 1945 consisted of three different types of schooling: grammar schools, secondary moderns and technical schools.
Although it was intended to be equal for all, it favoured middle class children.
It was popular with many parents. In parts of Britain, it was changed to
comprehensive schools in the 1970s.
Grammar Schools
Children all sat an examination known as the 11 + and they were allocated a school based on how they had achieved in that examination. Those seen as more academic attended Grammar Schools which taught a very academic curriculum and those seen as less able went to Secondary Modern Schools which taught practical subjects such as metal work and carpentry for boys and needlework and cookery for girls. Only children who attended Grammar Schools could sit exams or go to college.
Thinking exercise
What arguments are there in favour of grammar schools and education based on selection by ability?
What arguments are there against grammar schools and education based on selection by ability?
(in pairs, 4 minutes)
Comprehensive Schools
In 1965, a weak and unpopular Labour government sent out a circular to all Education Authorities known as 10/65. This told local education authorities, which were run by local councils that they should prepare for comprehensive schools. These would be single schools taking children of all abilities regardless of their success. In some areas, local education authorities changed to this new system of educating all children with some speed. In others, local education authorities failed to submit workable plans, and in these areas, there are still grammar schools.
Fit the term to the meaningEvery person has the same chance or opportunity.
Schools that teach traditional academic subjects. Schools intended to teach children of all abilities.
An instruction telling education authorities to go comprehensive Equality
Grammar Schools
Comprehensive schools Circular 10/65
Fit the term to the meaningEvery person has the same chance or
opportunity.
Schools that teach traditional academic subjects.
Schools intended to teach children of all abilities.
An instruction telling education authorities to go comprehensive
Equality
Grammar Schools
Comprehensive schools
Circular 10/65
Tony Blair New Labour Prime Minister
From 1997
Margaret ThatcherConservative Prime Minister
From 1979
Who are these two people?
Why are they significant in the
history of the British education system?
What happened in 1979?
1979 was a turning point in British society because a very ideological Conservative government, led by Margaret Thatcher took power. This government is identified with a set of beliefs known as New Right. The New Right believes that no rules are needed for society because economic factors (market forces) can be relied upon.
This impacted on schools, because the New Right believed that they could only improve if they were encouraged to be competitive with each other for students. One of the ways that they did this was by ensuring that local authorities schools were given more control over their own money and also that they were funded by the number of pupils that they taught.
Thinking exercise
What are the features of New Right thinking about human behaviour?
Should schools compete for the best students?
(in pairs, 4 minutes)
Summary of key points
The Labour party introduced Comprehensive Schools to encourage equality for all children.
Conservative governments objected to comprehensive schools.
Conservative governments believed in market forces and competition between schools.
They have encouraged a variety of different schools to develop.
The Labour Party under Tony Blair and more recent education ministers has continued with this policy.
Individual Research
Find out about one or more recent debates or stories that have been in the news and which focus on education. Summarise the key points
Use this website for a start http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7791461.stm
What are your views on this debate/story? (Approx 300 words suitable to be shared with
class)
