I. Introduction
1. The purpose of the British education system
Not only provide children with literacy and the other basic skills but also socialize children.
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to teach
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the three Rs
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to socialize children
teaching them 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.
2. The relationship between education and social class
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1
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. Inequality in British education
Educational opportunities for working-class and middle-class people can be very different
In Britain, the accent you speak with, the clothes, the schools you attend and even the school tie are all markers of your
social class
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2
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. Good education Guarantees a career
To attend the 鈥渞ight鈥?nbsp;schools (the famous boys鈥?nbsp;public schools like Eton and Winchester) and the 鈥渞ight鈥?nbsp;universities
(Oxford and Cambridge) is still the single best way to guarantee a successful career.
II. History
1. The influence of the church on schooling
In the past:
Historically, education was voluntary and many of the schools that existed were set up by churches.
At present:
The influence of the Church on schooling is still strong: until very recently, religious education was the only subject
which was insisted by the state (other subjects were left up to schools to decide upon).
Daily prayers and singing hymns is still a regular part of school life.
Changes:
Christianity is no longer the only religion officially recognized. Some state- funded schools have Islamic religion as
their creed.
2. Great changes in British educational system after the Industrial Revolution.
(1) involvement of government -in taking responsibilities for the education of children.
In 1870, a law was passed to call for government
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funded education.
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before 1870, only 40% of children under 10
went to school regularly)
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By 1880, attendance at school for children between 5 and 10 was
made compulsory.
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By the end of the 1st world War the school leaving age was raised to 14 in order to dissuade children from
leaving school to support their families.
(2) Education Act in 1944
a new educational system emphasizing equality was constructed after the 2nd World War with the assistance of church
and trade unions. (because During World War II, schools were closed or used for war purpose education continued in
the countryside on an as hoc basis---the disruption of the old education system)
The result was 1944 Education Act
(Children would be admitted to schools not because of their social class or their parents possession, but for the abilities
they display)
All
children
were
given
the
right
to
a
free
secondary
education
to
make
sure
more
children
had
access
to
a
good
education.
(3) Introduction of comprehensive schools
In
the
1960s,
comprehensive
schools
were
introduced
all
over
the
country
(which
ended
the
division
between