domestic policy - education

Question 1

describe successes of Thatcher’s education policy:

Answer 1

-1981 education act gave parents the right to express a preference on which school their kids should go to
-1988 education act introduced 1st national curriculum which created a more uniform level of education
-introduction of GCSEs to replace O-Levels
-introduction of ‘grant maintained’ schools which gave them more financial independence, allowed for more efficiency
-establishment of city technology colleges
-increased competition within educational system led to better national results
-1980 assisted places scheme encouraged low income families to apply for fee-paying schools
-increased number of women + those from low income families going to uni
-increased grants for uni students

Question 2

describe limitations of Thatcher’s education policy:

Answer 2

-reforms led to an increased social divide in education e.g. expansion of parental choice led to concerns that wealthier parents could take advantage of the system
-emphasis on standardised tests led to concerns of ‘teaching to the test’ and neglecting creativity
-curriculum was narrowed through a focus on core subjects
-publication of league tables meant schools were in competition with eachother