1. Unit 7 British Education System

2. Teaching Content the purpose of education
the relationship between education and social class
the influence of the Church on schooling
The 1944 Education Act
comprehensive schools
grammar schools
National Curriculum
public schools
GCSE
GCSE---A
GNVQS
Old university
The Open University

3. I. Introduction 1. the purpose of education
a. To teach “the three R’s”
“The three R’s”—reading, writing and arithmetic
to provide children with literacy and the
other basic skills.
b. to socialize children (Page 106 the bottom: to learn the rules and values they need to become good citizens, to participate in the community, and to contribute to the economic prosperity of an advanced industrial economy.)

4. 2. the relationship between education and social class
The enduring feature of British education is the continuing debate over how “equal” educational opportunity should be. The controversies about education reflect the deeper divisions in British society as a whole. Britain is a society in which social class is still very important.

5. Class inequality can be erased or continued according to educational policy.
“equal” educational opportunity
b. The school tie is a clear marker of social class. (the schools you attend are markers of social class) ( other markers Page 107)
higher social class---better education

6. II. History 1. the influence of the Church on schooling ②At present
①In the past
Historically, education was voluntary and many of the schools that existed were set up by churches.
②At present
The influence of the Church on schooling is still strong:
Religious education was the only subject
which the state insisted all schools teach their pupils.

7. b. Daily prayers and singing hymns are still a regular part of school life.
③Change
Christianity is no longer the only religion officially recognized. Some state-funded schools have Islamic religion as their creed.

8. 2. major changes to British education system
① Involvement of government
This change was brought by the Industrial Revolution. The government decided to become increasingly involved in taking responsibility for the education of children.
b. In 1870, the government passed a law which called for government-funded education.

9. c. By 1880, school attendance for 5-10 year-old children was made compulsory.
d. By the end of World War I, school leaving age was made 14.
The 1944 Education Act
a. During WWII, school were closed or used for war purpose and education continued in the countryside on an ad hoc basis.

10. b. the old system---disruption
the new education system---equality
(the government + the Church + newly powerful trade unions)
c. the 1944 Education Act made entry to secondary (middle) school and universities “meritocratic”.
(children would be admitted to schools because of the abilities they displayed.)

11. The significance of the 1944 Education Act
All children were given the right to a free secondary education and the main concern was to make sure more children had access to a good education.

12. Introduction of comprehensive schools
In the 1960s, comprehensive schools were introduced all over the country. Entrance exams were abolished and schools were no longer allowed to let children “compete” for places.
b. The introduction of comprehensive schools ended the division between grammar schools and vocational schools.
---where the most academically capable pupils were sent to be prepared for university.
---where less successful pupils were sent to learn trades.

13. “The Great Education Debate” in 1976 by the Labor Party
In 1976, the Labor Party started “the Great Education Debate” about national standards and style of teaching.
b. The Labor government ---the inadequate skill level of the labor force and a new initiative to prepare children for employment

14. National Curriculum in 1989 by Conservative Party
a. Conservative Government---the traditional “three Rs”.
b. All British children are required to study a certain subjects.
c. Children must all pass national tests and schools are ranked.
d. reintroduced competition between schools.

15. The comparison of the two changes
Nowadays, the British education system is run by the state, which provides funding, overseas standards, and tries to make sure that all British children receive a quality education. One of the largest, most important government departments is the Ministry of Education. (See Page 109 the bottom, pls.)

16. III. The Present Education System
Education in the UK is compulsory
Children are legally obliged to attend school from the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) to 16.
State sector and private sector schools
A. State sector: state schools
a. funded by local and central government.

17. b. provide free education for students and about 93% British children go to schools.
B. Private sector: independent schools
public schools which receive their funding through the private sector and tuition rates, with some government assistance.
b. not part of national education system, but the quality of instruction and standards are maintained through visits from Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools. (皇家督学)

18. c. These schools are restricted to the students whose parents are comparatively rich.
“league tables” (学校等级表)
Parents can choose between sending their children to state schools or private schools according to a system of “league tables”.
b. “league tables”: comparative tables which rank schools according to public exam results, truancy rates, destinations of school leavers, and so on.

19. Schooling stages and exams
pre-primary schooling (up to age 5)
primary school (5 to 11)
comprehensive
schools
secondary schools (11-19)
GCE-A
grammar
schools
11-plus
university

20. A. Pre-primary schooling
Up to age 5, children may have some pre-
primary schooling in nursery school, daycare or
play groups.
B. Primary school
a. Between 5 to 11, pupils mainly attend state
sector primary schools.
b. They are called co-educational or mixed
schools because they admit both boys and girls.

21. C. Secondary schools
a. From 11 up to 19, students attend secondary
schools.
b. Two types of secondary schools:
comprehensive schools and grammar schools
b1. comprehensive schools
most popular
Such schools admit children without reference to their academic abilities.
a general education (from academic subjects
like literature to more practical subjects like
cooking)

22. b2. grammar schools
select children at the age 11 through an examination called “11-plus”.
the emphasis is on advanced academic work.
The grammar school/non-grammar school
division is still common in Northern Ireland,
but throughout the rest of Great Britain
grammar schools are becoming increasingly rare.

23. D. GCSE, GCE-A and GNVQs （国家专业资格证书） (中学毕业证书、高级水平测试结业证书)
General Certificate of Secondary Education
quit school and find a job
sit exams for
university entrance
vocational training
General National Vocational Qualifications
General Certificate of Education-Advanced

24. Higher education Fund a. British universities are public bodies which
receive funds from central government.
b. The only privately funded university in Britain
is the University of Buckingham.
Founding Time
a. Oxford and Cambridge date from the 12th
and 13th centuries. The two universities are
collectively called “Oxbridge”.

25. b. Scottish universities of ST
b. Scottish universities of ST. Andrews, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are from the 14th and 15th centuries.
c. The rest were founded in the 19th and 20th
century.
Open University
a. target students
The open University was founded in Britain in
the 1960s for people who might not get the
opportunity for higher education for economic
and social reasons.

26. b. Entrance
It’s open to everyone and does not demand
the same formal educational qualifications as
the other universities.
c. Methods of teaching
University courses are followed through TV,
radio, correspondence, video and a network of
study centers.
d. Certificate
At the end of their studies at the Open
University, successful students are awarded a
university degree.