30 Questions
What is a key feature of the British educational system when compared to Norway's?
A greater degree of local independence and control over the schools
What was the main objective of the Education Act of 1870?
To establish a national system of state-funded elementary schools in England and Wales
What percentage of children in England and Wales went on to secondary schools in 1920?
Less than 10%
What was the main impact of the Education Act of 1944?
It reorganised the school system, introducing free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 15
What type of schools were academically oriented in the reorganised school system of 1944?
Grammar schools
What is a unique feature of independent schools in Britain?
They benefit from charitable and tax-exempt status
What is the name of the type of universities founded in the new industrialising towns from about 1850s to 1930?
Red brick universities
Which British university was established as an alternative to mainstream teaching?
The Open University
What is the total number of students in independent schools in Britain?
Just over half a million
How many universities were there in Britain in 1999?
87
What percentage of children in England and Wales currently attend comprehensive schools?
87%
In which year did the Labour government commit to abolishing the eleven-plus examination?
1964
What is the name of the examination that is normally taken by 16-year-olds in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
GCSE
In which country is the school system generally comprehensive and non-selective?
Scotland
What is the name of the schools introduced by the Coalition government, which were a continuation of the city academies initiative?
City academies
The charitable and tax-exempt status of independent schools is a politically non-controversial issue.
False
There are approximately 250 independent schools in Britain.
True
The Open University was established in the 1990s as an alternative for adults who had not been able to take higher education previously.
False
There are over 2 million full-time students in British universities.
False
The Red brick universities were founded in the 12th century.
False
The Butler Act was passed in the 1960s.
False
The Open University model of distance learning has become less common with the advent of the internet.
False
There are only two ancient universities in Britain.
False
Pre-preparatory schools are attended by children from 8-13 years old.
False
Heriot Watt is an older university in Britain.
False
Match the type of universities with their founding period:
Older universities = 12th century Red brick universities = 1850s to 1930 New universities = 1992 Universities founded after WW2 = 1960s
Match the institutions with their characteristics:
Public schools = Mainly boarding schools Independent schools = Privately run and funded Open University = Distance learning institution Pre-preparatory schools = For children from 4-8 years old
Match the educational stages with their corresponding age ranges:
Pre-preparatory school = 4-8 years old Preparatory school = 8-13 years old Public or independent school = 13-18 years old Higher education = Over 18 years old
Match the universities with their location:
St. Andrews = Scotland Oxford = England Heriot Watt = Scotland Sussex = England
Match the historical events with their corresponding impacts:
Industrial Revolution = Leading to the founding of Red brick universities WW2 = Leading to the founding of new universities Butler Act = Increasing student numbers Advent of internet = Changing the nature of distance learning
Study Notes
British Educational System
- The British educational system is characterized by a class-based society, a greater element of privately run educational institutions, and a greater degree of local independence and control over schools, with more emphasis on parental influence and choice.
Historical Background
- 1870: The Education Act (Forster Act) aimed to establish a national system of state-funded elementary schools in England and Wales, extended to Scotland in 1872 and Northern Ireland in 1923.
- 1902: The Balfour Act made local authorities responsible for state education.
- 1944: The Education Act (Butler Act) reorganized the school system in England and Wales, introduced free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 15, and divided education into three stages: primary, secondary, and further post-school training.
The State School System
- 1950s: The eleven-plus examination was adopted to select the ablest children to grammar schools, but it came under attack as socially divisive.
- 1964: The Labour government committed to abolishing the eleven-plus and replacing the selective system with comprehensive schools.
- Today, about 87% of children in England and Wales attend comprehensive schools, with only around 160 grammar and secondary modern schools remaining.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Scotland has a generally comprehensive and non-selective school system.
- Northern Ireland's state schools are divided along sectarian/religious lines into Catholic and Protestant schools.
The National Curriculum
- 1988 and 1993 Education Acts introduced a standardized National Curriculum for all state schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (not Scotland).
- The National Curriculum emphasizes a 'core curriculum' of English, mathematics, and science, as well as foundation subjects.
Examinations
- The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is normally taken by 16-year-olds.
- The General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level (GCE, or 'A-level') is normally taken by 18-year-olds.
- A 'lower-level' alternative to A-levels is the Advanced Subsidiary (AS).
Independent School Sector
- The majority of independent schools are in England and account for 6.5% of all British children.
- Independent schools benefit from charitable and tax-exempt status, which is a politically controversial issue.
- The most famous independent schools are the public schools, such as Eton, Harrow, and Winchester, which are mainly boarding schools.
Higher Education
- Britain has a tradition of higher education dating back to the Middle Ages.
- The number of universities has risen sharply from 23 in 1960 to 87 in 1999, with a total of 1.3 million full-time students.
- British universities can be classified into four main types: older universities, 'red brick' universities, universities founded after WW2, and 'new universities' upgraded from polytechnics and colleges.
British Educational System
- The British educational system is characterized by a class-based society, a greater element of privately run educational institutions, and a greater degree of local independence and control over schools, with more emphasis on parental influence and choice.
Historical Background
- 1870: The Education Act (Forster Act) aimed to establish a national system of state-funded elementary schools in England and Wales, extended to Scotland in 1872 and Northern Ireland in 1923.
- 1902: The Balfour Act made local authorities responsible for state education.
- 1944: The Education Act (Butler Act) reorganized the school system in England and Wales, introduced free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 15, and divided education into three stages: primary, secondary, and further post-school training.
The State School System
- 1950s: The eleven-plus examination was adopted to select the ablest children to grammar schools, but it came under attack as socially divisive.
- 1964: The Labour government committed to abolishing the eleven-plus and replacing the selective system with comprehensive schools.
- Today, about 87% of children in England and Wales attend comprehensive schools, with only around 160 grammar and secondary modern schools remaining.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Scotland has a generally comprehensive and non-selective school system.
- Northern Ireland's state schools are divided along sectarian/religious lines into Catholic and Protestant schools.
The National Curriculum
- 1988 and 1993 Education Acts introduced a standardized National Curriculum for all state schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (not Scotland).
- The National Curriculum emphasizes a 'core curriculum' of English, mathematics, and science, as well as foundation subjects.
Examinations
- The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is normally taken by 16-year-olds.
- The General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level (GCE, or 'A-level') is normally taken by 18-year-olds.
- A 'lower-level' alternative to A-levels is the Advanced Subsidiary (AS).
Independent School Sector
- The majority of independent schools are in England and account for 6.5% of all British children.
- Independent schools benefit from charitable and tax-exempt status, which is a politically controversial issue.
- The most famous independent schools are the public schools, such as Eton, Harrow, and Winchester, which are mainly boarding schools.
Higher Education
- Britain has a tradition of higher education dating back to the Middle Ages.
- The number of universities has risen sharply from 23 in 1960 to 87 in 1999, with a total of 1.3 million full-time students.
- British universities can be classified into four main types: older universities, 'red brick' universities, universities founded after WW2, and 'new universities' upgraded from polytechnics and colleges.
British Educational System
- The British educational system is characterized by a class-based society, a greater element of privately run educational institutions, and a greater degree of local independence and control over schools, with more emphasis on parental influence and choice.
Historical Background
- 1870: The Education Act (Forster Act) aimed to establish a national system of state-funded elementary schools in England and Wales, extended to Scotland in 1872 and Northern Ireland in 1923.
- 1902: The Balfour Act made local authorities responsible for state education.
- 1944: The Education Act (Butler Act) reorganized the school system in England and Wales, introduced free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 15, and divided education into three stages: primary, secondary, and further post-school training.
The State School System
- 1950s: The eleven-plus examination was adopted to select the ablest children to grammar schools, but it came under attack as socially divisive.
- 1964: The Labour government committed to abolishing the eleven-plus and replacing the selective system with comprehensive schools.
- Today, about 87% of children in England and Wales attend comprehensive schools, with only around 160 grammar and secondary modern schools remaining.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Scotland has a generally comprehensive and non-selective school system.
- Northern Ireland's state schools are divided along sectarian/religious lines into Catholic and Protestant schools.
The National Curriculum
- 1988 and 1993 Education Acts introduced a standardized National Curriculum for all state schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (not Scotland).
- The National Curriculum emphasizes a 'core curriculum' of English, mathematics, and science, as well as foundation subjects.
Examinations
- The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is normally taken by 16-year-olds.
- The General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level (GCE, or 'A-level') is normally taken by 18-year-olds.
- A 'lower-level' alternative to A-levels is the Advanced Subsidiary (AS).
Independent School Sector
- The majority of independent schools are in England and account for 6.5% of all British children.
- Independent schools benefit from charitable and tax-exempt status, which is a politically controversial issue.
- The most famous independent schools are the public schools, such as Eton, Harrow, and Winchester, which are mainly boarding schools.
Higher Education
- Britain has a tradition of higher education dating back to the Middle Ages.
- The number of universities has risen sharply from 23 in 1960 to 87 in 1999, with a total of 1.3 million full-time students.
- British universities can be classified into four main types: older universities, 'red brick' universities, universities founded after WW2, and 'new universities' upgraded from polytechnics and colleges.
This quiz covers the key features of the British educational system, including its reflection of class society, private institutions, and local independence. Compare and contrast with the Norwegian system.
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