Educational policy

• What is a social policy?

  A social policy is a government action that aims to improve or reform society.
• What are the three types of schools in the Tripartite System introduced by the Education Act of 1944?

  • Grammar Schools: Academic curriculum, access to higher education, 10% of students.
  • Secondary Modern Schools: Practical curriculum, access to manual work, 75% of students.
  • Technical Schools: Vocational education for those with specific talents, 5% of students.
• How did the Tripartite System reproduce class and gender inequalities?

  The system offered unequal opportunities, leading working-class students to lower-paying jobs and middle-class students to higher-paying jobs.
• When were girls allowed to attend grammar schools?

  In 1979, girls could attend grammar schools.
• What was the aim of the Comprehensive System introduced in 1965?

  • To move away from social divisions created by the Tripartite System.
  • All forms of education taught in the same school.
  • No entrance examination.
• What is streaming in the context of education?

  Streaming is the practice of placing students in different groups based on their perceived ability, which can lead to unequal opportunities.
• What is the concept of meritocracy according to Bowles and Gintis?

  Meritocracy is a myth, as the education system perpetuates social inequalities rather than providing equal opportunities.
• What were the main aims of marketisation policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher from 1979 to 1997?

  • To raise standards by increasing competition between schools.
  • To reduce direct state control over education.
  • To give parents more choice in their children's education.
• What is the purpose of Youth Training Schemes (YTS)?

  YTS aims to provide young people with work experience and skills necessary for employment.
• What is vocational education?

  Vocational education is practical education aimed at preparing pupils for specific careers, such as engineering or hairdressing.
• What did the Education Reform Act of 1988 introduce?


  The Education Reform Act of 1988 introduced marketisation policies to the education system.
• How does the concept of 'parentocracy' relate to class inequality in education?

  Parentocracy suggests that all parents can choose the best school for their child, but in reality, middle-class parents have more resources to make advantageous choices.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of marketisation policies in education?

  Strengths:

  • Increased competition among schools.
  • More choices for parents.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Reinforces class inequalities.
  • Good schools can become selective, disadvantaging less able pupils.
• What is the role of Ofsted in the education system?

  Ofsted inspects schools, checks standards, and produces detailed reports on school performance.
• What is the impact of league tables on school choice?

  League tables provide parents with information about school performance, influencing their choices based on academic results.
• What are the different types of school choosers identified by Gewirtz?


  • Privileged skilled choosers: Middle-class parents who understand the system and can afford to choose the best schools.
  • Disconnected local choosers: Working-class parents who lack knowledge and resources.
  • Semi-skilled choosers: Working-class parents who are ambitious but rely on others' opinions.
• What was the aim of New Labour's education policies from 1997 to 2010?

  New Labour aimed to increase diversity and choice within education while improving equality of opportunity and raising standards.
• What were the university tuition fees introduced by New Labour in 1998?


  University tuition fees were introduced at £1,000 per year, later increased to £3,500 per year.
• What is the purpose of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

  • To provide financial support to college students from low-income families.
  • To encourage attendance and reduce the number of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).
• What are Sure Start Centres designed to do?

  Sure Start Centres provide services for families and children under the age of 4, aiming to improve outcomes for disadvantaged families.
• What was the impact of the introduction of compulsory numeracy and literacy lessons in primary schools?

  The introduction aimed to ensure that primary schools reached a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy, benefiting disadvantaged groups.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of New Labour's education policies?

  Strengths:

  • Improved GCSE scores.
  • Increased diversity of schools.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • The gap between middle-class and working-class students continues to grow.
  • Some policies may discourage students from pursuing higher education.
• Who was in power during the Coalition Government from 2010 to 2015?

  David Cameron (Conservatives) and Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats) were in power.
• What was the aim of the Coalition Government's education policies?

  The aim was to increase educational opportunity and improve standards of education.
• What is the aim of creating a meritocracy in education?

  To provide equal opportunities for all students.
• What does the statistic "1 in 5 don't own a reading book at home" imply about educational access?

  It suggests a lack of resources that can hinder literacy development.
• How do academies aim to help pupils achieve social mobility?

  By reducing inequality and providing better educational opportunities.
• What services had strong links with academies?

  NHS, Job centres, and health visitors.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of New Labour's educational policies?

  Strengths:

  • Improved GCSE scores
  • Greater diversity in policies
  • More school choice

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Continued gap between middle class (MC) and working class (WC)
  • Some policies were unsuccessful in bridging the gap
• Who was in power during the Coalition Government from 2010-2015?

  David Cameron (Conservatives) and Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats).
• What was one of the aims of the Coalition Government's educational policies?

  To increase educational opportunity and improve standards of education.
• What are Free Schools?

  Schools funded by the government but not run by local authorities.
• Why might someone set up a Free School?

  To cater to specific faiths or dissatisfaction with the current education system.
• What did Allen's (2010) research suggest about Free Schools in England?

  They primarily benefit middle-class (MC) students.
• What was the Coalition Government's aim regarding academies?

  To have all schools become academies by 2030.
• What is the Pupil Premium?


  A sum of money given to schools to improve the attainment of disadvantaged students.
• What was one of the criticisms of the Pupil Premium according to Ofsted?

  Schools were not spending the money properly.
• What was the effect of increasing class sizes during the Coalition Government?

  It reproduced inequality in education.
• What does the English Baccalaureate aim to address?

  It aims to tackle the rise in vocational qualifications.
• What are T-Levels?


  Qualifications that offer a mixture of classroom learning and on-the-job experience.