Lecture 6 Education in Britain

Abstract  If the family is central to people’s life, surely their next most significant experience is their education.  In this lecture, we will begin with a brief survey of the development of free universal education since the last century, and then take a closer look at the main institutions in which British people are formally educated.

Important Issues  The development of British education system: from the 19th century limited and voluntary schooling to the present expanded and compulsory education system.  The basic structure of British education system, particularly the 3 stages of education in modern Britain.  The higher education system and institutions of further education.

Facts & Figures (1)  Compulsory schooling: Every child in Britain must by law receive full-time education from 5 to 15. In 1972, the school leaving age was raised from 15 to 16, so now all children have a minimum of 11 years compulsory full- time education.  An increasing proportion of under 5s are attending school---over half in 1992/93, compared with only a fifth in 1970/71.  Overall, girls outperform boys. In 1991/92 a third of girls left school with one or more ‘A’ levels compared with a quarter of males.  There were 1.3 million students in higher education in U.K.in 1991/92.---more than double the number in 1070/71.

Facts & Figures (2)  In 1992/93, 460 thousand women were enrolled on full-time further education courses in U.K., compared with 182 thousand in 1970/71.  In , 12% of the population between 25 & 69 had a degree.  Total government expenditure on education increased by just over half in real terms between and  Expenditure per pupil on education in secondary schools rose by two fifths in real terms between 1981/82 and 1991/92.

Focus Questions (1)  what are the most outstanding changes in the English educational system since the 19th century?  What does the “streaming” system mean to you? Do you think it is reasonable? Why?  what is the basic structure of British education system?  What are the three stages of education in modern Britain?

Focus Questions (2)  What are some of the recent changes that have taken place in higher education in Britain?  Apart from universities, name some other higher and further institutions in Britain.  Make a list of aims and functions of further education and training.

Change and Reform  Before 1870 education was voluntary & many of the existing schools had been set up by churches.  Only 2% of children under 14 & 40% of those aged 10 went to school regularly.  From 1870, in response to changes brought about by the industrial revolution & movements for social & political reform, the government started to take responsibility for education.

From Tripartite System...  It was not until the Education Act in 1944 that all children were given the right to free secondary (middle school) education. Local education authorities were then required to provide schools funded by the state.  A “tripartite” system of secondary modern, technical and grammar schools selected 11 year- old children at the end of their primary education by means of an exam. The top 20% attended grammar schools. Secondary moderns & technical schools dealt with more practical subjects. Pupils from them were expected to become manual workers & skilled workers respectively, whilst those who attended grammar schools were more likely to go on to university and become professionals and managers.

To Comprehensive System...  In the 1950s some people were dissatisfied with the tripartite system because it did not seem to ensure either equal educational opportunities or a meritocracy.  Comprehensive schools were introduced in the 1960s with the idea that pupils should not be selected & streamed at such an early age. In % of pupils attend such schools; the other 10% attend some remaining grammar or private schools.  Since the introduction of comprehensive schools some have argued that streaming still causes children to be ‘labeled’ at an early age as either academic or non-academic, while others argue that it holds back brighter pupils since more attention will be given to those with less academic talents.streaming

Britain State Schools  The system of secondary education in Britain has been changed in recent years. Under the old system, children took an examination called the “eleven plus” at the age of 11. If they passed this examination, they went to a grammar school (high school) & if they failed, they went to a secondary modern school.

 Under the new system, there is no examination at the age of eleven, & the grammar schools & secondary modern schools have been replaced by large comprehensive schools. Some comprehensives are “streamed”; others are “unstreamed”. In a streamed school, pupils are placed into classes according to their ability. Children of high ability are in the “A” stream, those of lesser ability in the “B” stream & so on. In an unstreamed school, children of mixed ability are placed together in the classes.

Streaming  In many British schools, children are grouped together according to their ability, and this is known as ‘streaming’.  As to whether it is reasonable, different people may hold different opinions. Some people may not think it fair to put children into groups according to their ability, while others may think it helpful to promote competition among children.

Recent Reforms: The Education Reform Act 1988  The establishment of a National Curriculum for 5-16 year-olds & regular examination.  The introduction of city technology colleges sponsored by industry & commerce. Their curriculum emphasizes science, technology & business understanding within the framework of the National Curriculum. By September 1991 there were 13 of these.  More power being given to schools to run their own affairs within the framework of a set of national standards.

Basic Structure of British Education System  Pre-school education  Primary school  Secondary school  University, colleges of higher education  Colleges of further education

Pre-school Education  Compulsory schooling: every child in Britain must by law receive full-time education from the age of 5 to 16.  Children begin their education in the State system at the age of 5; some lucky children may attend Nursery schools(kindergartens) from 3 to 5, but most start their basic education in an Infants’ (the infants department of a junior school) or First School.

Primary School  Most primary schools are co-educational (boys & girls are taught together), usually with a class teacher system, giving young children a sustained contact with one teacher.  Children used to be selected for secondary education by means of an examination---the ‘eleven plus’.

Secondary School (1)  Compulsory education extends up to 16 years. Comprehensive schools are mostly mixed sex & cater for a mixed range of abilities. Their students come from a range of social classes & ethnic backgrounds. Students are often streamed into different ability groups. Some think this undermines the principles of comprehensive education.

Secondary School (2)  The main examination that all students should take at 16 is the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Some students continue in the same school for a further 2 years of study leading to the examination of the General Certificate of Education, Advanced level (GCE A level). Usually 3 or 4 academic subjects are studied & 1 general studies paper. This is the main examination required for university entrance.

General School Certificate （普通学校证书）  The General School Certificate (G.S.C) was a standardized school (public) examination in Britain. It was replaced by the General Certificate of Education (G.C.E) （普通教育证书） in  The G.C.E consists of two sets of examinations: the ordinary level and the advanced level. It is on the results of the advanced level examination that universities choose their students.

 At present there are 2 levels of examination: the General Certificate of Secondary Education (G.C.S.E) taken between ages 15 & 16 & Advanced Level Examinations (G.C.E.A level) taken between ages 17 & 19.

 At the age of 13 pupils begin preparing for the G.C.S.E in 8 or 9 subjects such as English, French, mathematics & history.  Then pupils may choose 2 or 3 subjects out of the 8 or 9 for a 2-year course leading to the A level examinations. With 8 good grades in the G.C.S.E & 3 G.C. E. A level passes, students will stand a very good chance of being accepted by universities.

University, Colleges of Higher Education(1)  British universities can be divided roughly into 3 main groups: the old universities; the Redbrick universities; the new universities.  The old universities refer to those founded before Oxford & Cambridge are the oldest ones, dating from 1249 &1284. Until the 19th century, they are the only 2 universities in England

University, Colleges of Higher Education(2)  The Redbrick universities include all the provincial universities of the period , as well as London University. They are so called because they were all built in the favorite building material of the period---red brick.  The new universities are those founded since the 2nd world war. They have their own independent and modern approaches to teaching.

University, Colleges of Higher Education(3)  Altogether, there are now 44 universities in the United Kingdom: 33 in England, 8 in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland & 1, a federation of 7 colleges, in Wales.  Degrees: BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science); MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science); Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy).

Colleges of Further Education  Polytechnics: study centers that offer a wide range of full-time or part-time courses for students of all ages (usually over 18) & at all levels of higher education. Courses lead to diplomas, or to degrees.  Adult Education: vocational or recreational courses provided mainly by local authorities, the Workers Educational Association & by the extramural departments of universities & colleges.  Part-time Education: workers take specialist courses in their particular skill & work for a diploma. Or they just study general subjects.

Open University (1)  The open University is a non-residential university offering degree & other courses for adult students of all ages. It uses specially printed texts, correspondence tuition, TV & radio broadcast, audio & visual cassettes. There is also a network of study centers for contact with part-time counselors & fellow students. No formal academic qualifications are required to register for most courses, but standards of the University’s degrees are the same as those of other universities. They offer higher degrees & programs for professionals in education, health & welfare & for updating managers, scientists & technologists.

Open University (2)  History (background & origin): in 1963 the leader of the Labor Party made a speech outlining plans for a ‘university of the air’--an educational system which would make use of TV, radio & correspondence courses.

 Purpose: to give educational opportunity to those people who, for one reason or another, had not had a chance to receive further education. Open University (3)

Open University (4)  The 1st teaching program appeared on the air & screen in January 1971, with clerks, farm workers, housewives, teachers, policemen & many others as students (25,000 were accepted for the 4 ‘foundation’ (introductory) courses offered: social sciences, arts, science & mathematics).  The Open University is probably the cheapest & most far-reaching method of spreading further education.