social policy

• What was the state of education in the UK before 1870?


  There was no state education system.
• What did the Forster Education Act (1870) introduce?


  Elementary schooling for pupils aged 5 to 12.
• What was established by the Conservative Education Act/Balfour Act (1902)?


  Local Education Authorities.
• What did the Fisher Education Act (1918) make compulsory?


  Secondary education up to 14 years of age.
• What was the purpose of the Education Act (1944) - The Butler Act?


  To introduce the Tripartite System of education.
• What test did all children take at age 11 under the Tripartite System?


  The 11+ test.
• What type of school did pupils who passed the 11+ attend?

  Grammar Schools.
• What percentage of the population attended Grammar Schools?


  Roughly 20%.
• What was the fate of the majority of pupils who attended Secondary Modern Schools?

  They were not entered for formal exams before going to work at age 15.
• What was the purpose of Technical Schools?


  To teach practical skills.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Tripartite System?


  Strengths:

  • Gave all children the opportunity for education up to 15 years.
  • Provided upward mobility for deprived backgrounds.
  • Offered equality of opportunity through the 11+ test.

  Weaknesses:

  • Favored the rich and middle classes.
  • Created a two-tier education system.
• What did the Department of Education Circular 10/65 aim to achieve?


  To create proposals for comprehensive schools and move away from selection at age 11.
• What was the goal of the comprehensive schools introduced by the Labour government in 1965?


  To create equality of opportunity for all pupils.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of comprehensive schools?


  Strengths:

  • Aimed to introduce equality of opportunity.
  • Late developers can flourish due to mixed ability teaching.

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of parental choice due to catchment areas.
  • Setting and streaming can lead to similar outcomes as the Tripartite System.
• What was the aim of the Education Act (1988) introduced by the Conservatives?


  To introduce free market principles into the education system.
• What were league tables introduced for in the Education Act (1988)?


  To rank schools based on their exam performance.
• What was the purpose of the National Curriculum introduced by the Education Act (1988)?


  To ensure all schools taught the same subject content from ages 7 to 16.
• What is OFSTED?


  A government organization that inspects schools.
• What does the Pupil Premium aim to achieve?


  To provide extra funding to schools with children qualifying for free school meals.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Education Act (1988)?


  Strengths:

  • GCSE results improved annually after the act.
  • The principle of competition has been applied internationally.

  Weaknesses:

  • Middle class parents have an advantage in the educational market.
  • Constant testing can lead to stress and labeling.
• What was the aim of New Labour's interventionist policies?


  To reduce educational inequality while increasing choice and diversity.
• What was the purpose of Sure Start (1999)?


  To offer two years of free childcare and early education to all 3-4 year olds.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of New Labour's policies to reduce inequality?


  Strengths:

  • EMA helped many students attend college.

  Weaknesses:

  • Policies were contradictory, increasing inequality while trying to reduce it.
• What changes did the coalition government make to the Academies Programme?


  Any school achieving OFSTED outstanding could become an academy without a sponsor.
• What was the purpose of Free Schools introduced by the coalition government?


  To provide more choice in disadvantaged areas.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the coalition government's education policies?

  Strengths:

  • Introduced Pupil Premium for schools with disadvantaged students.

  Weaknesses:

  • Raised university tuition fees to £9000, making education more exclusive.
• What was the impact of the changes made to A level exams by Michael Gove?


  He changed the structure to linear and removed coursework and modular exams.
• What was the criticism of the Pupil Premium by the coalition government?


  It was difficult to determine if it actually helped those on free school meals.
• What are the overall evaluations of the education policies discussed?


  • Policies aimed at reducing inequality had mixed success.
  • Many policies were criticized for increasing inequality.