Education Policy before 1988

Question 1

Tripartite System:

Answer 1

1944 bought in the tripartite system which selected and allocated pupils to 1to 3 different types of schools, identified by 11+ exams taken by every child at 11y/o.

Question 2

Grammar Schools:

Answer 2

Offered academic curriculum and access to non manual jobs and higher education for pupils with academic ability and passed the 11+ (mainly MC).

Question 3

Secondary Modern Schools:

Answer 3

Offered non-academic curriculum and access to manual work for pupils who failed 11+ (mainly WC).

Question 4

Technical Schools:

Answer 4

Only existed in a few areas designed to train people adept in providing these skilled in mechanical/scientific subjects.

Question 5

How did the system reproduce inequality?

Answer 5

It reproduced gender inequality by requiring girls to get higher mark on the 11+.

Question 6

Advantages of Tripartite System:

Answer 6

1. ) All students taught the same therefore given the same chances to succeed.
2. ) 11+ tested effort and wasn’t effected by background.
3. ) Removed class barriers, grammar schools would formally be inaccessible to WC however bright children gave WC pupils with aspirations a chance.

Question 7

Disadvantages of the Tripartite System:

Answer 7

1. ) It’s still affected by cultural and material deprivation- MC students have more encouragement and resources.
2. ) Tripartite system was abolished in 1944 WC were still struggling with the effects of WWII i.e. worsening material deprivation.
3. ) For those who didn’t succeed the 11+ it lead to labelling and psychological harm at a young age which damaged academic confidence and reproduced class inequalities.

Question 8

Evaluation of Tripartite System:

Answer 8

Tripartite system was meant to create meritocracy but fell short. In theory it could have offered equal opportunities for students of all backgrounds. However, there was nothing in place to assist culturally and materially deprived students to help them catch up. So grammar and secondary modern schools were mainly MC creating a huge class division in education.

Question 9

Comprehensive System:

Answer 9

Introduced in many areas from 1955 onwards. Aimed to overcome class divisions of the tripartite system and make education more meritocratic.
11+ abolished with grammar and secondary modern replaced by comprehensive schools, which pupils within the area have to attend.
However, left to local authority so they decided whether to ‘go comprehensive’. Which resulted in grammar/secondary modern divide still existing.

Question 10

Advantages of the Comprehensive System:

Answer 10

1. ) All abilities and backgrounds together giving everyone the same start.
2. ) Lager schools are cheaper to run.
3. ) Students bought in depending on catchment area, not class crating solidarity.
4. ) No entrance exam for state schools so no flaws if the 11+ however still cultural and material deprivation factors meaning the MC still has an advantage.

Question 11

Disadvantages of the Comprehensive System:

Answer 11

1. ) Catchment areas aren’t free of class division, some areas more affluent than others leading to differences across schools.
2. ) MC parents have financial stability to move around to more affluent areas to aid child’s educational achievement.
3. ) MC parents are ‘privileged skilled choosers’ meaning they have knowledge and ability to work the system to their advantage to get children into schools they want.
4. ) Streaming was introduced which reproduced class inequality i.e. MC=high streams WC=low streams.

Question 12

Evaluation of Comprehensive System:

Answer 12

It produces the ‘myth of meritocracy’ leading to inequality. Mixed class schools were a step towards equality however MC pupils had financial advantage i.e. choosing better schools. As well as ignoring ability lead to WC pupils suffering achievement i.e. bright WC pupils in low streams therefore entering lower exams therefore harming aspirations and overall educational achievement.