The process of teaching and learning that takes place in schools, colleges, etc
Formal education
Education that takes place in educationalestablishments such as schools and universities where people learn knowledge and skills across a wide range of subjects
Informal education
Learning that takes place when people develop knowledge and skills by observing what is happening around them
Economy
A system by which goods and services are produced, distributed and consumed in a region or country. Examples include capitalism and socialism
Social mobility
Movement up or down between the layers or strata of society
Citizenship
A political and legal status linked to membership of a particular state
Ascribed status
Social positions that are fixed at birth and unchanging over time, including a hereditary title linked to family background e.g. Princess or Lord
Particularistic standards
In the family, children are judged against the standards and rules of their particular family and its values
Universalistic standards
Where people are judged by the standards of the wider society, which are applied in the same way to everyone. In school, each student judged against the same standards e.g. in terms of rules and exam criteria
Achieved status
Social positions that are earned on the basis of personal talent or merit
Meritocracy
A system in which individuals' achievement and efforts are based on their own talents and efforts rather than social origins and backgrounds
Competition
A struggle or contest between individuals or groups to obtain something desirable that is in limited supply e.g. qualifications, wealth or status
Hidden curriculum
Things learned indirectly in school that are not for formally taught, such as valuing punctuality or conformity and obedience
Correspondence principle
The way in which what is learned in school through the hiddencurriculum mirrors what is required when in the workplace e.g. how schools are organised and how control is exerted will mirror that of the workplace in a capitalist society
Curriculum
The subject content taught in a school
Intelligence quotient (IQ)
A score based on a test designed to measure a person's intelligence
Comprehensive school
A non-selective secondary school that admits all children regardless of their ability
Specialist school
Centres of excellence in particular subject areas, such as languages or technology. They were intended to raisestandards of teaching and learning in these areas
Free schools
Schools that are funded directly by the state but are set up and run by parents, teachers, businesses and faith groups
Academies
Schools that have left localauthority control and whose funding is provided directly by the government. All schools have been encouraged to convert to academy status status since 2010
Further education (FE)
This sector mainly caters for students aged 16 and over. Courses are usually provided by sixthform and FE colleges
Higher education (HE)
This sector includes universities that provide higher level academic and vocational courses e.g. degrees
Fee-paying schools
A private or independent school that charges school fees
Private schools
Fee-paying schools that are independent of the state sector
Public schools
The older more famous schools, such as Eton and Harrow
Independent schools
Fee-paying private and public schools that are independent of the state sector
Selective schools
Schools that select their intake by having some form of entry requirement such as an entrance examination
Ethos
The distinctive character and values of a particular school
Tripartite system
Created by the 1944 Education Act, this system used the 11-plus exam to asses students' ability levels. Students were then allocated to one of three types of school based on their results (grammar, secondary modern or technical)
Eleven plus
A national IQ test introduced by the 1944 Education Act to be used as a method of allocating students to one of three types of school in the tripartite system
Mixed ability
Where children are taught in classes that are not based on ability, setting or streaming
Setting
Where students are placed into ability groups (such as the top set) for a specific subject such as maths or French
Home tuition
Teaching children at home rather than at school, usually by parents or private tutors
Deschooling
A radical alternative to the current education system. Deschooling involves self-directed education via learning webs. It encourages people to decide what to learn and to go about in creative and exploratory ways