BRITISH EDUCATION SYSTEM

Chapter 9

Purpose

   Teach basics – reading, writing, arithmetic Socialize the children-taught rules and values needed to become good citizens State heavily involved –when, where, how and what children taught

Controversial Decisions

•  Should children be punished physically?

Currently corporal punishment banned in UK What sort of English should students learn?

Should students be forced to speak in a standardized way rather than regional accents?

Controversy-not just about education

     Britain is society where social class very important Educational policy can determine if class inequality can be erased or continued Continued debate over how “EQUAL” educational opportunity should be Important relationship between education and social class 51% working class 49% middle class but opportunities very different between classes

School Tie is Mark of Social Class

   Men wear school ties as belts – proudly displaying attendance at certain school Attendance at certain school (like Oxford or Cambridge) is single best way to guarantee successful career Where educated is very important for your future

Oxford University

Oxford Campus

Oxford by Night

Students at Cambridge

Kings Chapel at Cambridge

HISTORY

      Today British education run by government Gvt. provides money, oversees standards & tries for all quality ed.

Historically education was voluntary & set up by Churches Church influence still strong today with daily prayers & hymn singing WWll moved children to countryside After WWll restructured 1944 Education Act-entry to higher ed. Available for all based on abilities not class

HISTORY CONTINUED

   All students given right to free secondary & good education 1960’s-”Comprehensive schools” introduced-most academically capable sent to prepare Univ. while less capable vocational schools 1989-National Curriculum-all must study:english, mathematics, science, religious ed. , history, geography, technology, music, art, p.e. & a modern foreign language. –pass National tests

PRESENT ED. SYSTEM

          COMPULSORY 5-15 (4-15 in NI) State (free) or private Gov. sometimes assist church schools League tables school rankings Usually go near home but may go a distance for better education 5-11 primary 11-19 secondary 11+ test if pass educational emphasis on advanced Academics GCSE General certificate of secondary ed. Which shows progress/course pursue 16 quit or exams for university or voc. Training Every 16 & 17 guaranteed full-time ed or training

HIGHER EDUCATION

       Most Univ. public paid by gov.

Univ. of Buckingham exception (priv) Long history back to 12 and 13 th cent Scottish univ. St. Andrews, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen 14 & 15 th c.

Other univ. 19 th and 20 th centuries Large growth in 1960’s 1992 polytechs and others-univ.

Higher Education Continued

     1991- 353,000 students in universities 87,000 from overseas(25,000 some funding) 2000-1in 3 attend univ.

The Open University-No requirements to register, take courses thru textbooks, TV, radio, correspondence, videos, residential schools and a network study centers TOU-all walks of life-coal miners to housewifes TOU inspired the founding of China’s TV and Radio University. BA, BS, MA, PHd