The Structure of Britain's Education System (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Flashcards
Exam code: C200
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Which ages does primary education cover?
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Cards in this collection (32)
Which ages does primary education cover?
Primary education covers children aged 5-11, usually split into infant (5-7) and junior (7-11) stages.
___________ schools are secondary schools that select pupils by ability.
Grammar schools are secondary schools that select pupils by ability.
True or False?
Young people in England can leave education or training at 16.
False.
Since 2015, all young people must stay in education or training until age 18, through full-time study, an apprenticeship or work with training.
Why did the Government raise the age of participation in education or training?
The Government wanted to keep Britain competitive in a global economy by having a well-trained and educated workforce.
Which institutions provide higher education?
Universities and some colleges provide higher education, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Define state schools.
State schools are schools that the government funds, and they are free for all children aged 5-18.
What proportion of pupils in England attend independent schools?
Around 6% of pupils in England attend independent schools (6.3% in January 2026).
True or False?
Independent schools must follow the National Curriculum.
False.
Independent schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum, and academies and free schools do not have to until 2028.
How do private schools help pupils reach top jobs?
Private schools combine wealth, privilege and social networks, such as the old boys' network, which help pupils reach elite universities and top careers.
What did the Sutton Trust (2025) find about senior judges?
The Sutton Trust found that 62% of senior judges had attended private schools, compared with 7% of the UK population.
How do Marxists view independent schools?
Marxists see independent schools as a form of class reproduction, in which the upper class uses education to stay at the top.
Define vocational education.
Vocational education refers to work-related qualifications and training for students aged 14-18.
What do apprenticeships combine?
Apprenticeships combine employment with training and study.
How does vocational education reflect functionalist beliefs?
Functionalists believe education must supply the skills and expertise that business and the economy need, and vocational training does this.
True or False?
Marxists see vocational education as having equal prestige to academic degrees.
False.
Marxists argue that vocational education has less prestige and prepares working-class children for exploitation as workers in capitalism.
Marxists argue that vocational training disguises youth ___________ by keeping young people out of the figures for those not in education, employment or training.
Marxists argue that vocational training disguises youth unemployment by keeping young people out of the figures for those not in education, employment or training.
What did the 1944 Education Act aim to provide?
The 1944 Education Act aimed to provide free state education for all children based on ability, not wealth.
Under the tripartite system, the ___________ exam decided which of three types of school a pupil attended.
Under the tripartite system, the 11-plus exam decided which of three types of school a pupil attended.
Which school did most pupils attend under the tripartite system?
Around 75% of pupils attended secondary modern schools, which offered a general education.
Define comprehensive school.
A comprehensive school accepts children of all abilities and social backgrounds, with no entrance exam.
True or False?
Grammar schools disappeared completely after the 1965 move to comprehensive schools.
False.
Some local authorities kept grammar schools, which created a two-tier system that still exists today.
How can comprehensive schools reflect local inequalities?
Comprehensive schools take pupils from their local area, so inner-city schools remain mostly working-class.
Define marketisation.
Marketisation is the introduction of market forces into education, so schools compete for pupils and funding follows student numbers.
Define parentocracy.
Parentocracy means rule by parents: it gives parents more power through choice between schools.
How do league tables help parents choose schools?
League tables publish exam results and Ofsted ratings, so parents can compare schools.
Under marketisation, popular schools gain more money and better resources, creating a cycle of ___________, while failing schools risk losing students and closure.
Under marketisation, popular schools gain more money and better resources, creating a cycle of success, while failing schools risk losing students and closure.
True or False?
Since November 2025, Ofsted has given schools one-word grades such as outstanding.
False.
Since November 2025, Ofsted has replaced one-word grades with report cards that grade different areas of a school.
Which freedoms do academies have?
Academies can set their own term dates, pay scales and curriculum, and businesses may sponsor them.
Why does Stephen Ball argue that parental choice is not truly free?
Ball argues that middle-class parents use their cultural and social capital to secure good schools, while working-class parents may lack information, confidence or transport.
True or False?
Marketisation has stopped schools from excluding lower-achieving students.
False.
Schools under pressure to climb league tables may exclude lower-achieving students or focus only on exam results.
Critics argue that marketisation encourages teaching to the ______, which narrows learning and increases stress for pupils.
Critics argue that marketisation encourages teaching to the test, which narrows learning and increases stress for pupils.
What do supporters argue competition between schools has achieved?
Supporters argue that competition has led to higher standards and improved GCSE results.
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