Sociology - Educational Policy - 1944 (The Tripartite System)

Question 1

What did the Tripartite System introduce?

Answer 1

The 11-plus

Question 2

What 3 schools did children go to on the basis of their results?

Answer 2

Grammar - 20% of pupils - academic
Secondary modern - 75% - basic education
Secondary technical - 5% - for those children suited to vocational skills

Question 3

Strengths of the Tripartite System

Answer 3

• Free education for all
• Based upon child’s ability not the ability of the parents to pay
• Education suited to individual aptitudes
• Children not being held back as a result of being taught with those of different ability levels

Question 4

Weaknesses of Tripartite System

Answer 4

Unreliable - a child’s academic future is decided on the basis of one exam at 11
Divisive
Class based - Mostly MC children at grammar
IQ test
No parity of esteem - secondary moderns / technicals seen as inferior by parents and employers

Question 5

What were the main aims of the Tripartite System?

Answer 5

1. Selective education - students would recieve a different education dependent on their ability
2. Equality of opportunity - All students had the chance to sit the 11+, prior to 1944 the only pupils to get a good education were those who could afford it