Education%20Reform%20Act%201988

1
Education Reform Act 1988

• The most important piece of education legislation
  since 1944

2
There are 6 main features

• A National Curriculum
• National Tests at 7, 11 and 14
• Local Management of school budgets (LMS)
• Opting Out (Grant Maintained schools)
• City Technology Colleges
• Ofsted a new inspection regime for schools

3
The National Curriculum

• A government sanctioned common curriculum for
  pupils aged 5 16.
• Shifted responsibility for what was to be taught
  away from teachers to central government.
• Three core and seven foundation subjects
• Previously teachers worked out schemes of work
  they deemed appropriate for their pupils.

4
National Tests

• Compulsory National tests (SATS) were introduced
  at 7, 11 and 14
• Results published annually in league tables
  (along with GCSE/A levels and truancy
  statistics).
• Schools can now be compared directly in terms of
  this data
• Previously pupil progress was tracked by teacher
  assessments

5
Local Management of Schools

• Management responsibility for school budgets
  taken away from LEAs and given to individual
  schools (Head Teachers).
• Much greater flexibility and responsibility now
  on Heads

6
Grant Maintained Schools

• State schools were given the option under the ERA
  to opt out completely from LEA control.
• If the majority of parents voted for such a step
  newly formed GM schools had complete control over
  their budgets and how the school was run

7
City Technology Colleges (CTCs)

• A new type of school was set up in the inner
  cities
• CTCs specialising in technology, the arts, maths
  and science set up in inner city areas
• CTCs are independent of LEA and were intended to
  be financed by local industry

8
Ofsted

• The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
  was set up.
• Rigorous school inspections every 6 years
• Emphasis on inspection rather than support.
• Aggressive system of naming and shaming and
  placing into special measures for failing
  schools

9
Task

• For the 6 Key areas of Reform think of arguments
  in favour and against each item
• Key Question Has the ERA improved the quality of
  education in the UK?
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