Education in the UK Cours de Mme Jones modifié par M.Cassagnau

The beginnings Until the 19th century education was reserved for the aristocracy and the upper classes. education of the poor: not necessary or desirable because working class children = source of income, worked in fields and factories. but some efforts made : Sunday schools (1780), charity schools, day schools (fees). 1820s : approx; 25% of children received some sort of schooling

Important acts 1832 Reform Act: extended the vote to urban middle class if the vote was going to be extended = political power = need for education Factory Act – no children under 9 to work Education Department created – but schooling still unorganised, no central planning.

A major date 1870 Forster Act – beginning of public sector education, to bring elementary education into every English home. A dual system that included state schools and church schools. All schools taught the "3 Rs" (“reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic”).

Visible effects million children million children elementary school becomes compulsory – for children aged 5 – – school leaving age raised to 12.

Education in the 2Oth century a time of great economic, social and demographic changes 1902 Balfour Act - rising demand for secondary education school leaving age raised to 13 creation of Local Education Authorities BUT – there is a separate system for a certain elite, fee-paying middle classes. This reflected a rigid class system and social hierarchy.

After the two World Wars, more liberal attitudes 1918 Fisher Act, school leaving age raised to 14. Education was seen as the way to redress social inequalities Butler Act - reorganized the whole system (idea of social justice). LEAs compelled to provide secondary education.

The logic behind the Butler Act LEAs are regional, appoint teachers, pay them, control school budgets a more centralized system : creation of the Department of Education and Science school leaving age raised to 15 Education viewed as one system : primary, secondary and further / higher education No curriculum control

Private schools Religious schools : taken over by LEAs, some control by religious (Church of England, Roman Catholic, Jewish) authorities. They became “Faith schools” in 1997 and are state-funded. Public schools : ignored, continued as bastions of the elite. Anyway, state schools were also selective at age 11 and the conditions of selection seemed unfair to many. The most selective ones were called « grammar schools ».

The « Comprehensive » reform 1964 – Labour election victory Goal: abolish selection at age 11, transform all secondary schools into "comprehensives”. Conservative government, 1970 – 74, tried to halt the reform 1974 – Labour back in power : all schools complied except some grammar schools which changed status and became independent schools.

The time of Neo-Conservatives 1979 Conservatives (Margaret Thatcher) back in power – hostile to comprehensives Education Reform Act market economics applied to education power removed from "producers" (teachers, LEAs), more power given to "consumers" (parents and pupils). LEAs got less money, funds channelled directly to schools. Open enrolment (no catchment areas).

A new structure A National Curriculum, exams (GCSE at age 16 and A-levels at age 18). There are also some tests at ages 7, 11 and 14. Welsh medium schools teach the National Curriculum, in Welsh. Schools are independent – they manage their own budgets. They are managed by a Board of Governors (teachers, parents and others). They are free to hire and fire teachers and personnel.

Higher Education (Universities) Approximately 1 in 3 school leavers goes to university (1.2 million full time students; 0.7 million part time). Traditionally students do NOT go to the nearest university. There is usually a selection procedure, with interviews. First degree = 3 or 4 years = B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) or B.Sc (Bachelor of Science). Higher degrees: M.A. (Master of Arts), Ph.D (doctorate).

The controversial issue of costs Higher education used to be free until 1998, when tuition fees were introduced. From 1998 to 2010, tuition fees amounted to a minimum of £3,000 a year (€4,500), often more depending on the university. Now many universities will be allowed to charge a maximum of £9,000 a year (€13500). This will set Britain apart from other European countries in which higher education provided by the State is quite affordable.