Educational policies

The tripartite system of education

• Children underwent the 11+ exam which determined what type of secondary school they went to:
  
  • Secondary modern - non-academic, practical curriculum for students who failed 11+. They were majority WC.
  • Secondary technical - non-academic and provided vocational training for students who showed great aptitude in these skills. Only existed in a few areas. 
  • Grammar - highly academic curriculum for students who passed 11+. Students who attended could access non-manual jobs and higher education. They were majority MC. 
• The tripartite system replicated class inequality as they channeled the classes into separate kinds of education which offfered different opportunities and resources.
• It also replicated gender inequality as girls needed to achieve higher marks than boys did to attend grammar schools. 
• Finally it legitimised the idea that intelligence and academic ability was innate and this could be measured at age 11 
  • this has been proven to not be the case - environment is also a key factor in achievement. 

Comprehensive schools 

• these were schools which all students in the local (catchment) area would attend regardless of class or ability. 
  • Aimed to reduce inequality and promote meritocracy by removing the 11+, grammar/secondary modern schools in favour of the inclusive comprehensive school system. 
• it was up to the local authority if they would adopt this approach, so there is still a divide in some areas. 

1979-1997 Conservative Government policies

• Changed the process of formula funding 
  • funding dependent on student intake 
• reduced the power of local authority in favour of governors and headteachers
• Introduction of the national curriculum and SATs
• League tables and OFSTED reports were made publically available
  • Provided parents the power of choice 

• 1988 - Education reform act

1997-2010 New Labour Policies

• increased funding for schools 
• improved nursery education
• Primary school classes had fewer children in them
• Creation of Educational Action Zones in deprived areas 
• Introduction of Educational Maintenance Allowance 
  • Provided financial support so disadvantaged pupils can stay in further education 
• Specialist schools were introduced and excelled in teaching a certain subject
  • e.g BR was a science school

2010-2015 Coalition Policies

• increased number of academies
  • income from DfE rather than local authority - more control over admissions etc
• introduction of free schools 
  • set up by communities and receive income from DfE - more control over admissions etc 
    • e.g businesses set up free schools 
• Introduction of pupil premium for students who are disadvantagec
  • e.g Free School Meals, textbooks paid for 
• Introduction of E Bacc exams
• Exam and curriculum reform 
• higher performance and achievement targets imposed on schools 

Equality policies - Gillborn and Youdell

• Equality of access
  • all should be able to access same quality of education without selection 
• Equality of circumstance
  • All should have equal home and material circumstances 
• Equality of participation 
  • All should share same chance of participating equally 
• Equality of outcome
  • All should share same chance of long-term benefits after schooling 

Selection policies 

• Schools must provide equal access to students but may use covert tactics to dissuade working-class pupils from applying by:
  • having an expensive uniform
  • having a complicated admission criteria
  • not promoting the school in disadvantaged areas 

Privatisation Policies

• Endogenous privatisation (IN education)
  • operating in similar ways to businesses
    • E.g management of own affairs and finances, competing for pupils, and use of high targets and league tables to attract potential students
• Exogenous privatisation (OF education)
  • State education is open to private business' support
    • E.g Google creating Google Classroom and curriculum resources; exam boards owned by private companies like Pearson 

Marketisation Policies

• Educational Reform Act - 1988
  • independence
    • Operate in business-like ways such as by managing their own affairs and finances
  • choice
    • Parentocracy means that attendance to a certain school is determined by the parents of a student rather than local authority 
      • Gewirtz - Parentocracy said to be a myth as only MC are advantaged 
  • competition
    • Schools compete with one another for the most able pupils who will benefit their results
  • Quality control system
    • independence, competition and choice are evaluated by OFSTED and league tables 

Globalisation Policies

• International league tables introduced
  • PISA - outlines which countries have best educational achievement 
    • leads to PISA panic in some countries as they try to improve their education system 
• International students in higher education
  • Far higher fees for students who travel to the UK to study which provides higher income for the university 
• Multiculturalism
  • due to increasing diversity in the UK, multiculturalism is rising and is leading to more education about different cultures
    • E.g taught about other world religions and languages.