-
Butler / Education Act
The Education Act 1944 established the "Tripartite System", Grammar, Technical and Secondary Modern schools. Grammar schools were seen as the place for the academically gifted and entrance was determined by a selection exam (11+). Children who failed selection attended one of the other schools. The act set school leaving age to 15; this was not implemented until 1947. Compulsory part-time education until the age of 18 was recommended, however this was dropped. -
We Are All The Same
13 Area Training Organisations (ATOs) were established in England and one in Wales to coordinate teacher training. In 1949 a University Training Department (UTD) providing teacher training courses based at the Institute of Education (IOE). -
O-levels
General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary or O–levels and Advanced or A-levels are introduced. O-levels replace the School Certificate, presented to pupils on leaving, with A-levels replacing the Higher School Certificate for 18 year old school leavers. -
Education Act 1962
The Education Act 1962 placed legal obligation on parents to ensure that children received a suitable education, either at school or otherwise. Failure to comply could result in prosecution. LEAs became legally responsible for ensuring that all pupils attend school. -
The Start of CSEs
The Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) is introduced for secondary modern pupils, to cater for those not sitting O-levels. -
Polytechnics
Polytechnics are established. These are institutes of higher education offering courses in vocational or technical subjects -
Plowden Report
The Plowden Report 'Children and their Primary Schools' promoted child-centred education and was highly criticised by traditionalists. -
Sweet16!
School leaving age raised to 16, this meant everyone could leave school with qualifications increasing their opportunities. -
Work Experience
The Education (Work Experience) Act 1973 allowed LEAs to organise work experience for final year school students. -
Less Trainee Teachers
The Circular 7/73 halved the number of places for student teachers. -
Going For Equality
The Sex Discrimination Act had effects on school admissions, appointments and curricula. It made it unlawful for educational establishments to discriminate against admitting girl pupils. -
Race Relations Act.
The Race Relations Act ensured that everybody received the same treatment without regard to race or skin colour. -
Teacher Training Standards
1983 Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (CATE) established to set standards for initial teacher training courses. -
Education (No. 2) Act
The Education (No. 2) Act 1986: required LEAs to state policies, governors to publish annual reports and hold parents' meetings; laid down rules on admissions, political indoctrination and sex education; abolished corporal punishment. -
GCSEs
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE): common 16+ exam system replaced GCE O Level and CSE. The National Curriculum, stipulating subjects to be studied until the age of 16, is also introduced. -
National Curriculum
1987 The National Curriculum 5-16: the consultation document in which the government set out its plans for the introduction of the national curriculum and associated assessment procedures. -
INSET days
Specific Grants for INSET (In-Service Training). -
Education Reform Act
Education Reform Act 1988 is major act establishing the National Curriculum, testing regime, Local Management of Schools (LMS) etc. -
Cox Report
The Cox Report English for ages 5 to 16: the report which formed the basis of the English component of the new National Curriculum. -
My Birth
The day I was born...yay! -
'Polytechnics' no more!
Polytechnics were granted university status. -
OFSTED
Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) was established to monitor and report on the individual quality of schools. -
Further and Higher Education Act
Further and Higher Education Act 1992: removed FE and sixth form colleges from LEA control and established Further Education Funding Councils (FEFCs), unified the funding of higher education under the Higher Education Funding Councils (HEFCs), introduced competition for funding between institutions, abolished the Council for National Academic Awards. -
TTA
The Education Act 1994 established the Teacher Training Authority (TTA) and regulated student unions. -
Primary School
I started Earlsmead Primary School. -
SATS
The government introduces National Curriculum Tests, often called Sats, for all children aged 7, 11 and 14. -
Introducing GNVQs
General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) are offered as a more work-based alternative for non-academic students. -
JSA
1996 Jobseekers Act: laid down rules about the relationship between study and eligibility for the Job Seeker's Allowance. -
SLC
1998 Education (Student Loans) Act 1998 transferred provision of student loans to the private sector. -
EMA
1999 Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): pilot schemes aimed at greater take-up of and achievement in post-16 education. -
fresh start
1999 Fresh Start scheme: aimed to revitalise 'failing' inner-city schools. -
Academies
City academies: David Blunkett announced the government's intention to create a network of academies - effectively private schools paid for by the state. -
The Halfway Point
2000 Advanced Subsidiary (AS-level) exams are brought in for 17 year olds. These are qualifications in their own right but also a halfway stage in the A-level course, unlike the Advanced Supplementary exams they replace. -
Secondary School
I finished primary school and began secondary school at Hornsey Shool for Girls. I completed yr2 and yr6 SATs in english and maths. -
New Wave of TAs
Workforce remodelling: government initiative aimed at reducing teachers' workload by employing more unqualified classroom assistants. -
Building Schools for the Future
2004 Building Schools for the Future: massive schools rebuilding programme launched. -
College
I finished secondary school with 9 GCSEs, A*-C. I then attended Woodhouse College. -
18
The Education and Skills Act 2008 raised the education leaving age to 18; Key Stage 3 SATs effectively abolished. -
Free schools
Tories' free schools policy announced by Michael Gove. These schools are privately run school organized as an alternative to the traditional public or private school, they can follow a highly flexible approach to the curriculum and teaching methods. -
Bunel University
I left college with 3 A-levels (Psychology, Drama, English Literature) and an AS-level (ICT). I went to Brunel University and studied a Psychology BSc. -
Yr 2 and 6 sats no more????
2010 SATs: a quarter of all primary schools boycotted the tests. -
From £3000 to £9000!
Vastly increased tuition fees, despite Liberal Democrat pre-election promises. -
BSF Scrapped.
Building Schools for the Future is scrapped. -
Budget Cuts
The government proposed cuts of up to £3.5bn in the schools budget. -
Academies Act
The Academies Act 2010 provided for huge and rapid expansion of academies. -
Education Act 2011
2011 Education Act 2011: increased schools' powers relating to pupil behaviour and exclusions, further diminished the role of local authorities, further expansion of academies etc. -
Wolverhampton University
I Started my PGCE at University of Wolverhampton.
