types of schools, private vs state

free schools

fairly recent, outside ion local authority and set up and run by groups such as parents, teachers and businesses instead

grammar schools

select pupils based on entrance examination and so are more exclusive, seen as superior to comprehensive schools

comprehensive schools

schools for kids of all abilities, were slowly replacing tripartite system, no selection procedure, idea was to give same type of education to all students regardless of wealth, IQ etc.

academies

originally introduced to help ‘facing’ schools, many secondary schools in UK are them and may become them, they are state funded, independent of local authorities sin they can decide their own curriculum (apart form cores) levels of wages for staff and length of school day and holidays, businesses are encouraged to invest money into these schools

state schools

funded by the state and provides free educational services

in 2014, schools received £4502 per year for each KS4 student, with additional funding for certain categories like deprived areas

private/independent schools

funded by fees paid by parents of pupils, able to set their own fees

they have better exam scores on average so parents believe they have an advantage over state schools

public schools

private schools whose headteachers have been invited to join the headmasters and headmistresses conference, a professional association of headteachers from the worlds leading independent schools

most are boarding schools, fees include accommodation and food + small class sizes, great teachers and equipment

wider curriculum, receive skills in leadership, public speaking,debating that prepare them for a role at the top of society, top education

competition

schools get funded based on the number of students enrolled. so schools compete to attract students, the best (‘most successful’) schools will be full and get the most money

market values/principles

schools are now like businesses - competing for pupils (£) schools will have to improve standards to attract pupils, successful schools are given more funding, and unsuccessful are given less, so are forced to improve or close, parents are now ‘shopping’ around for the b east schools (marketisation of education)

parental choice

since the 1980s families can choose their children school. they can consult league tables, OFSTED reports, websites, brochures etc to help with their choice

Stephen Ball

he argues that not all families will be able to understand or access league tables and other complex reports, so this ‘choice’ is only giving well-off, well-informed parents a chance to gain social advantages for their kids, while those in lower classes are left clueless about what to do, widening the social class divide in education