History of UK Education Policy
Sociology: AQA GCSE, topic 3.3.7
History of UK Education Policy
Governments have always tried to make education more inclusive by eliminating impediments to pupils’ progress caused by class, gender, and ethnicity. However, this hasn’t always been successful.
History of educational reform
- Education Act 1870: education had to be provided nationally.
- Education Act 1918: education was now compulsory up to the age of 14.
History cont.
- Butler Act 1944: education was compulsory up to the age of 15. This Act introduced the tripartite system (grammar schools, secondary modern schools, secondary technical schools).
- 1965: comprehensive schools were introduced.
History 3
- Education Reform Act 1988: marketisation was introduced.
- Schools become run like businesses (based on parental choice and competition), with the aim of raising schools’ standards.
- Some of the changes that this Act brought along are covered in the next section.
Education Reform Act 1988
This Act introduced marketisation. Schools become run like businesses (based on parental choice and competition) with the aim of raising schools’ standards. There were also other changes made.
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Changes to the national curriculum
- All boys and girls had to study English, Maths and Science until the age of 16.
Changes to league tables
- League tables are where the performance (exam results) of schools can be gauged.
- It was thought that competition for the best place in the league could drive up standards in schools.
Ofsted
- (Office for Standards in Education).
- This is the government's inspection and regulation body.
Changes to finances
- Schools can ‘opt out’ of local educational authorities, which means being free to use their finances however they wanted.
Vocational education
- Vocational education was reinforced.
- The idea was that pupils would leave school with all the necessary skills for future work.
Parental choice
- Parents could choose the school for their children because:
- They could check the league tables.
- They could be informed about schools’ activities through open evenings, leaflets and visits on schools’ sites.
Test yourself on History of UK Education Policy
The Education Act 1918 made education compulsory up to the age of 14. Later, the Butler Act would make education compulsory up to the age of 15. When was the Butler Act passed?
The Education Reform Act 1988 introduced marketisation. What other changes were made?
What is the government's inspection and regulation body called?