Education Flashcards
Question 1: What was the name of the 1944 Education Act and what type of secondary school system did it establish? Answer 1: The 1944 Education Act was also known as the Butler Act. It established a tripartite secondary school system: Grammar Schools for the academically able
Technical Schools for the technically able
Question 2: What was the purpose of the 11 Plus exam under the 1944 Education Act? Answer 2: The 11 Plus exam was used in the last year of primary school to determine which type of secondary school (Grammar
Technical
Question 3: What type of secondary school system gained favour throughout the 1960s and 70s
aiming to teach pupils of all abilities together? Answer 3: The Comprehensive System gained favour as governments moved away from the tripartite system.
Question 4: What are Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and what were they originally based on? Answer 4: Local Education Authorities (LEAs) have been responsible for running schools and providing some democratic oversight through elected councillors since 1901. Originally
LEAs were the county councils.
Question 5: What piece of Conservative legislation in 1988 allowed schools to opt out of local authority control? Answer 5: The 1988 Conservative Education Reform Act established Grant Maintained Schools that could opt out of local authority control.
Question 6: What did the 1988 Conservative Education Reform Act also establish? Answer 6: The Act also established the National Curriculum.
Question 7: What type of school did the Labour government introduce in 2000
often in partnership with private companies and specialising in particular subjects? Answer 7: The Labour government introduced City Academies.
Question 8: What key piece of legislation in 2010 further expanded the academy scheme? Answer 8: The 2010 Academies Act
under the Coalition government
Question 9: How do Academy Schools differ from schools controlled by LEAs regarding curriculum and staffing? Answer 9: Academies are independent of the LEA
employ their own staff
Question 10: What tax benefits do Academy Schools enjoy? Answer 10: Academies are automatically classed as charities and therefore enjoy tax breaks.
Question 11: What are Free Schools and who can set them up? Answer 11: Free Schools are schools set up by parents
teachers
Question 12: Are Academy and Free Schools selective or fee-charging? Answer 12: Both Academy and Free Schools are non-selective and cannot charge fees. They are state schools funded by the taxpayer.
Question 13: What are the two main types of academies that exist today? Answer 13: The two main types of academies are Sponsored academies (often previously underperforming schools with sponsors) and Converter academies (previously well-performing schools without sponsors).
Question 14: What is a Multi Academy Trust (MAT)? Answer 14: A Multi Academy Trust (MAT) is when a number of schools have combined to run schools together.
Question 15: What is the role of Ofsted? Answer 15: The Office of Standards in Education
Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is charged with regulating standards in state schools.
Question 16: What are the four main Ofsted ratings for schools? Answer 16: The four main Ofsted ratings are Outstanding
Good
Question 17: What are Community Schools in terms of their control and curriculum? Answer 17: Community schools are funded and controlled by the LEA and have to follow the National Curriculum.
Question 18: What percentage of pupils aged 11-18 attend state schools? Answer 18: 93% of pupils aged 11-18 attend state schools.
Question 19: How many grammar schools are still in existence today and how do they select pupils? Answer 19: Today
just 164 selective grammar schools survive. Entry is by the 11+ exam.
Question 20: What percentage of pupils attend private secondary schools? Answer 20: 7% of pupils attend a private secondary school.
Question 21: When did the government start to add VAT to private school fees? Answer 21: The government started to add VAT to private school fees in January 2025.
Question 22: Historically
before the industrial revolution
Question 23: What did the 1870 Elementary Education Act establish? Answer 23: The 1870 Elementary Education Act set up School Boards to provide basic education at a cost.
Question 24: When were fees abolished in state schools? Answer 24: Fees were abolished in state schools in 1918.
Question 25: What are some of the key debates surrounding education policy? Answer 25: Key debates include: independence of academies vs. LEA control
selection vs. non-selection
