Acknowledgement

This PowerPoint has been constructed by Mr. Alex Thirkill who is Head of Sociology at Rydens School and I am grateful for his permission to publish it here.

To visit Alex’ site at Rydens School click MrThirkill.com

Thatcher on Education•Margaret Thatcher’s

Conservative government

•New Right way of thinking is about:

Competition and Choice

New Right thinking on education includes:

• Introduce ‘Market Forces’ The MARKETISATION of schools – encouraging competition.

• Reduce power of LEA’s – more power to schools• Freedom of CHOICE for consumer – makes the

market more competitive.• To enhance the role of business in school.• A greater focus on school inspection to ensure

rising standards in all state schools.

1988 Education Reform Act

•This act was the major break from all previous educational policies –

it is the landmark for the new educational system we use today.

Education Reform Act

•Introduction of National Curriculum•Intro of inspection – OFSTED •Testing – League tables•Market forces - Competition•Vocationalism – job based study•Local Management of Schools (LMS)

The National Curriculum•This was the first time the ‘National

Curriculum was introduced.•This took power away from the schools and

teachers as they previously had authority over what was taught.

•Gov’t told state schools what should be taught.

•However what about independent schools?

National Curriculum•Strengths

– Every school studying the same

– Every child had the same education.

Weaknesses:

Didn’t stretch pupils

Wasn't ‘national’ as private schools did not and still do not use this.

Management

• Local Management of Schools (LMS)–Schools have a greater control of there

budgets• Employment

• Budget

• Resources

• This took the power away from the local governments and LEA’s

1988 Education Reform Act• Inspection• Office of Standards in

Education (OFSTED)• This system was

thorough and rigorous• Inspections were published

(parents can see them)

Testing• Testing-• Standard Assessment

Tests (SAT’s)– Key stage 1– Key stage 2– Key stage 3– Key stage 4

• Identify where pupils need to improve

• Compare achievement across the country

• Important source of information in schools

Testing•Testing resulted in a wealth of data that was

used to create league tables– Compare schools– Measure changes

•Can be used by the government to see what schools are achieving and what schools are failing

•Parents can use this data when choosing schools for there children

League Tables

League Tables

• Weaknesses– Only show raw data– Ignores background of

the students – Class – Behavioural problems

– Don’t get the full pic –

beyond academic achievements.

Strengths:

*Lets parents see which school is better.*Promotes competition.*Measure changes

League tables

They create inequality of opportunity

– middle class parents snap up those places at ‘good’ schools by superior access to cultural capital (better knowledge of system such as entry procedures)

The Conservative Era 1979 - 97

• The Conservative new way of thinking was picked up by Blair in 1997 and choice was extended.

• With the development of specialist schools and faith schools.

New Labour

• Faith schools – More choice or Segregation of faiths? Schools are able to be more selective purely based on faith.

• Specialist schools – Rivington and Blackrod = Technology school. Good more funding but specialism may not match child’s ability. Schools allowed to choose 10% of intake based on specialism.

• New Diplomas 2008 – More choice for students who prefer the vocational route.

DebateDo we really have the choice????

•In your groups look at points FOR or AGAINST parents having the choice.

•Tips: Look back at the slides: – Testing, League tables, OFSTED and LMS

– Look at the strengths or weaknesses for each one and be ready to fight your corner.

So do we have the choice???Underlying problem:

Poor are constrained by poverty

freedom of the poor in the choice of school - is the freedom

of the beggar to dine at the Ritz.

•Is the New Right way of thinking merely a

MYTH