Education act - The Butler act (1944)

• What did this policy introduce and what does it determine?

  The Tripartite system, meaning that all children sat a test at age 11 (11+) to determine which school they attend for ages 11-15
• What is meant by grammar schools?

  Pupils who passed the 11+ went to grammar school (about 20% of the population) Pupils sat O level qualifications
• What is meant by secondary modern schools?

  3/4 of pupils went to secondary modern schools. The majority of pupils were not entered for formal exams before going to work at 15
• What is meant by technical schools?

  These schools teach practical skills. There werent many around
• What did it give the opportunity of to all students - Strength

  Everyone got the opportunity to have an education up to the age of 15. It gave children from deprived backgrounds the chance of a first class education and upward mobility by entering a profession
• How does this policy give equality of opportunity? - Strength

  Everyone sat the 11+ and different ability students would get the support and relevant resources they needed
• Who did this act favour? - weakness

  It favoured the rich and MC.

  2/3 of those who went to grammar schools were from the MC.

  80% of pupils felt like a failure at age 11
• What did Halsey suggest ? - weakness

  That children were divided from their different backgrounds as the Tripartite system created a two tier education system. For example, 2/3 of boys from MC families went to grammar schools whereas only 1/4 of WC boys went
• What is a summary of this policy?

  • It created the Tripartite system therefore giving all children access to education until they are 15 years old.
  • It created the 11+ exam determining what school a child would go to: Grammar, Secondary modern or technical.
  • However it favoured the MC and the Tripartite system created a two tier education system