Edaucation- Topic 6 Policy and inequality

Question 1

POLICIES THROUGH THE YEARS- Tripartite system

Answer 1

Introduced in 1944, had two main types of secondary school (grammar and secondary modern) with selection by the 11+ exam. Most middle-class pupils attended the grammar school, whereas most working-class pupils attended the secondary modern.

Question 2

POLICIES THROUGH THE YEARS- The comprehensive system

Answer 2

Introduced in 1965, abolished the 11+ and all pupils attended the same local comprehensive school.

Question 3

POLICIES THROUGH THE YEARS- Marketisation policies

Answer 3

League tables - schools with good results encourage the best (usually middle-class pupils). Less successful schools end up with less-able pupils.

The funding formula - schools are funded on how many pupils they recruit, so good schools get more money, and can improve staffing/resources.

Question 4

POLICIES THROUGH THE YEARS- New labour policies

Answer 4

New Labour aimed to reduce inequality in education by introducing:
*Education Action Zones
*Aim Higher programmes
*Education Maintenance Allowance for poorer 16-18-year-olds
*Increased funding for state education

Question 5

POLICIES THROUGH THE YEARS- Conservative policies post 2010

Answer 5

Conservative policies since 2010 have reflected neo-liberal thinking about reducing the role of the state, and therefore moving away from the comprehensive system.
*Academies - all schools encouraged to become academies, some funded by privately-owned chains, some funded by central government.
*Free schools - state-funded but set up and run by parents, teachers, religious groups or businesses
*Spending cuts - there have been cuts in government spending on education (Eg. in areas such as Sure Start, EMA, school building).
*Grammar schools - parliament have discussed the reintroduction of grammar schools.