Paper 1- Educational Policies

Question 1

1988 Education reform act

Answer 1

• Created the national curriculum
• All schools had to teach the same core curriculum.
• HOWEVER, it was not suitable for all pupils, it was more accessible to those more academic pupils.

Question 2

1965 Comprehensivisation act

Answer 2

• Got rid of the 11+, all students attended local comprehensives.
• Provides equality within education.
• Large schools so student may lack individual attention from the teachers.

Question 3

School Admissions code

Answer 3

-Forbids discrimination in admitting pupils on grounds of socio-economic backgrounds or ability.
- Covert selection still takes place by both parents and schools.
- Postcode lottery- to be accepted into certain schools you must live in the catchment area.

Question 4

Policies that improve equality in circumstances

Answer 4

Pupil Premium- additional funding for those students from a poor socio-economic background. COMPENSATORY EDUCATION
- Kerr and West- too many other factors outside of school that impact achievement.
- Pupil Premium does not do enough to bridge the socio-economic gap.

Question 5

What is Marketisation?

Answer 5

Marketisation is the process where by services like education are pushed towards operating like a business based on SUPPLY and DEMAND. Students are considered CONSUMERS rather than PUPILS.

Question 6

Conservative government 1979-1997

Answer 6

1. League tables- Creating competition between schools.
2. Local Management schools- The local council are now responsible for the running of schools instead of the government.
3. Funding formula- SUPPLY vs DEMAND- in order to gain the funding the school must appeal to the parents so that there are students in attendance at the school.

Question 7

Labour Government 1997-2010

Answer 7

1. Business sponsored academies- Business can now run their own academies (privatisation OF education). Businesses may begin to support failing schools.
2. Specialist schools- Expanding the given opportunities.

Question 8

Coalition Government 2010-2015

Answer 8

1. New style academies- Schools that are funded by the government but are independent of the control of the authority, they do not have to follow the national curriculum but do have to ensure their curriculum is broad and balanced.
2. Free schools- Funded by the government but not run by the local authorities. More control over how they do things.

Question 9

EVALUATION of marketisation- Myth of Parentocracy

Answer 9

Covert selection means that parents do not have complete freedom of choice over where they send their children. POSTCODE LOTTERY will favour middle class parents due to their higher culture capital and higher education and income.

Question 10

EVALUATION of Marketisation- Educational Triage

Answer 10

Teachers will allocate more time and resources on students that are likely to then allow a good reflection in LEAGUE TABLES. (competition between schools)

Question 11

EVALUATION of Marketisation- Dumbing down

Answer 11

FUNDING FORMULA- schools need to retain and attract students in order to receive funding. Schools will therefore lead to the ‘dumbing down’ of teaching and standards.

Question 12

EVALUATION of marketisation- Reduced quality control

Answer 12

OFSTED is not as independent as it appears with government and politicians interfering with the process by changing the standards and goal posts.