Education Flashcards
Faith Schools (4)
Faith schools can be funded by the government as well as religious organisations (1). They have to follow the national curriculum except for religious studies, where they are free to only teach about their own religion (1). The admissions criteria and staffing policies may be different too, although anyone can apply for a place (1). Some examples include Muslim and Catholic Schools (1).
Home Schooling (4)
Children are taught within the home (1). This could be for several reasons:
- Severe bullying (1)
- Severe illness (1)
- Tutoring for Child Stars (1)
- Parents do not believe in the National Curriculum (1)
Academies (4)
Academies are publicly funded independent schools (1). They do not have to follow the national curriculum, and can set their own term times (1). Academies get money direct from the government, not the local council (1). Some academies have sponsors such as businesses, universities, other schools, faith groups or voluntary groups. Sponsors are responsible for improving the performance of their schools (1).
Reasons for Academies (2)
Convert failing schools (1) Deprived areas (1)
City Technology College (3)
City technology colleges are independent schools in urban areas that are free to go to (1). They are owned and funded by companies as well as central government (not the local council) (1). They have a particular emphasis on technological and practical skills so offer many vocational courses (1).
Single Sex Schools (1)
Children are admitted based on sex (1).
Specialist Schools (2)
Schools which perform better in certain subject areas (1), e.g. The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology (1).
Free School (5)
Free schools are funded by the government (1), but can be set up by parents, teachers, universities, charities etc. (1). Free schools:
can change the length of school terms and the school day (1)
choose not to follow the national curriculum (1)
Some examples include LAE (London Academy of Excellence) or Newham Collegiate (1).
Grammar School (3)
Grammar schools are state secondary schools (1), which select their pupils based on academic ability (1). An examination taken by children at age 11, known perviously as the “11 Plus” (IQ test) (1).
Special Needs School (1)
Designed for students with specialist needs due to their disability (1).
Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) (2)
Designed for students who have been permanently excluded (1). They provide specialist attention for these pupils until they are suitable to re-enter mainstream education (1).
State Boarding Schools (3)
State boarding schools provide free education but charge fees for boarding (1). Some state boarding schools are run by local councils, and some are run as academies or free schools (1). State boarding schools give priority to children who have a particular need to board and will assess children’s suitability for boarding (1).
Comprehensive School (3)
A comprehensive school is a state-funded school (1) that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude (1). They follow the national curriculum (1).
Private School (5)
Private schools (aka Independent or Public schools) charge fees - on average £2,500 a term (1) - to attend instead of being funded by the government (1). Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum (1). Famous examples include Harrow and Eton (1) - traditionally established for the Bourgeoisie (1).
Functions of Education
- Secondary Socialisation
- Social Control
- Social Cohesion/British Values
- Economic Role
- Selective Role
- Political Role
Functionalist View on Education
- Positive Agency
- Functions
- Social Mobility/Meritocracy
- Socialisation (manners, obedience, punctuality etc.)
Marxist View on Education
- Negative Agency
- Hierarchy (reflects class system)
- Social Divides (based on culture, class and ability)
- Inequality (state vs private)
- Interests of Bourgeoisie (capitalist society is fair and meritocratic)
- Secondary Socialisation (accept hierarchy and obey rules)
Formal Education
- Set of skills/knowledge taught in schools via the National Curriculum
- Taught in controlled environment, e.g. lessons
- Measures children’s ability to pass examinations (ranked)
- Paul Willis says it prepares us intellectually for employment - but it also impacts our “self-esteem” and “identity”
Informal Education
- Hidden Curriculum
- Learning norms and values outside of lessons
- From peer groups and teachers
- Socialisation
Meritocracy
Idea that an individual’s social position is achieved based on their abilities as oppose to their background or social origins.
Social Control
- Taught what is morally correct and to obey rules
- Sanctions (e.g. detentions, exclusions + verbal warnings)
- Zero Tolerance against bullying or racism
- Rewards (e.g. certificates + verbal praise)
- Functionalists believe it keep society orderly / prevents crime
- Marxists believe it teaches Proletariat to be submissive
Selective Role
- Allows students to become self-aware
- Learn about their strengths and weaknesses
- Through careers advice, work experience + vocational courses
- Functionalists believe it allows us to find a career path
- Marxists believe it dictates to us what we can and cannot do
Political Role
- Students learn their rights in a democratic society in Citizenship
- They learn what different political parties stand for, about voting etc.
- Functionalists believe it helps people live in harmony and encourages them to make positive contributions
- Marxists believe it deludes people into feeling empowered, where in reality the majority of politicians are upper class
Economic Role
- School teaches basic literacy and numeracy skills required for work
- Education must be comprehensive enough for it to meet the demands of employers, e.g. ICT and communication skills
- Functionalists say it makes us “employable” so able to earn a living
- Marxists find it negative because it teaches the masses to be employees as oppose to entrepreneurs or managers etc.
