The last year I spent abroad as a foreign language assistant in England where I was teaching German from year 7 to 13 at a grammar school for girls. As a result of my time there I decided to write a paper about the educational system in Great Britain because there are some differences between the German and British education. Teaching only girls offered me something that I will never experience in a German school. Single- sex schools are non- existing here or just to a rare amount and although I experienced the teaching as positive, there are also disadvantages of single- sex learning. “One positive effect of being at a girls school” most of my girls said last year, is “that you are not distracted by the classroom- behaviour of the boys”. If this very common way in England of separating the genders in different schools is supportive for the school results is a question which I am going to talk about in my work. Besides that I’d like to find out if the so called “gender gap” is really existing and what is meant by that. As a basis for my paper I’d like to give a short introduction to the English school system. Following that I will deal with the education politics during the period of Thatcherism and New Labour to find out which role education played in the past years in British politics and which reforms were made recently. It is obvious that the political dimensions of education are broad, and for that reason I am going to name only the main important changes. In the main part of my work I will consider the problems of inequalities in English secondary schools with special regard to the “gender gap”.
The literature I have worked with is taken from the internet especially the one about the politic parties and their policies. I also used certain books about British culture and society which will be listed on page 14. It is important to mention that the names (Great) Britain and UK stand in my work for the entire country including Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If I am talking about England it will be named like that.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Education in England
- 2.1. Introductory Knowledge
- 2.2. Education in British Politics
- 2.2.1. Thatcherism and Education Policy
- 2.2.2. Education Politics under New Labour
- 3. Inequalities in English Education
- 3.1. Introduction
- 3.2. Gender Inequalities in English Secondary Schools
- 3.2.1. Development
- 3.2.2. Explaining the Gender Problem
- 3.2.2.1. Girls' Improvement
- 3.2.2.2. Boys' Underachievement
- 3.2.3 Equality Supporting Strategies
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore gender inequalities within the English secondary education system. It examines the historical context of education policy under Thatcherism and New Labour, analyzing the impact of these policies on the educational landscape. The paper also investigates the existence and nature of the "gender gap" in academic achievement.
- The historical development of the English education system.
- The influence of Thatcherite and New Labour policies on education.
- Gender inequalities in English secondary schools.
- The causes of the "gender gap" in academic performance.
- Strategies to promote equality in education.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by outlining the author's personal experience teaching in a girls' grammar school in England. This experience sparked the author's interest in exploring the differences between the German and British educational systems, particularly concerning gender separation in schools and the existence of a "gender gap." The chapter establishes the paper's central research questions: Does gender separation in schools impact academic results? Does a significant "gender gap" exist, and what factors contribute to it?
2. Education in England: This chapter provides a concise overview of the English education system. It begins by highlighting the long-standing importance of education in British politics and traces the development of the modern system back to the Education Act of 1944 (Butler Act). The chapter explains the establishment of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and the three-tier system of primary, secondary, and further education. It details the distinctions between state and independent schools, comprehensive, grammar, and secondary modern schools, and the structure of GCSE and A-Level examinations. The chapter also touches on the National Curriculum, deferring a deeper analysis to the chapter on gender inequalities.
2.2. Education in British Politics: This chapter delves into the impact of political changes on the British education system. It first discusses the Thatcher era (1979-1990), focusing on the financial cutbacks in education, the shifting control away from LEAs, and the introduction of the National Curriculum as part of the 1988 Education Act. The chapter highlights the criticism of the education system for inadequately preparing students for employment and the reforms aimed at instilling traditional values. The chapter then briefly touches on the New Labour era (1997 onwards), mentioning its emphasis on education investment and infrastructure improvements.
3. Inequalities in English Education: This chapter focuses on gender inequalities in English secondary schools. It explores the development of these inequalities, offering potential explanations for the "gender gap" in academic performance—considering both girls' improvements and boys' underachievement. This section will likely analyze contributing factors like societal expectations, teaching styles, and curriculum design. Finally, this chapter will discuss strategies designed to address and mitigate these gender-based disparities.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
English education system, gender inequalities, gender gap, Thatcherism, New Labour, education policy, secondary schools, National Curriculum, GCSEs, A-Levels, single-sex schools, academic achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of English Education and Gender Inequalities
What is the overall topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the English education system, with a particular focus on gender inequalities in secondary schools. It examines the historical context of education policy, analyzes the impact of political changes on the educational landscape, and investigates the causes and consequences of the "gender gap" in academic achievement.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an introduction, a section on education in England (including its political context under Thatcherism and New Labour), a section dedicated to inequalities in English education (specifically focusing on gender inequalities in secondary schools), and a conclusion. Each section is further divided into sub-sections for detailed analysis.
What are the main objectives and key themes explored in this paper?
The paper aims to explore gender inequalities within English secondary education. Key themes include the historical development of the English education system, the influence of Thatcherite and New Labour policies on education, gender inequalities in secondary schools, the causes of the "gender gap" in academic performance, and strategies to promote equality in education.
What does the introduction chapter cover?
The introduction sets the stage by outlining the author's personal experience teaching in a girls' grammar school in England, which sparked their interest in comparing the German and British educational systems and investigating the "gender gap." It establishes the central research questions: Does gender separation in schools impact academic results, and what factors contribute to the "gender gap"?
What information is provided about education in England?
This section provides a concise overview of the English education system, highlighting the importance of education in British politics, tracing its development from the 1944 Education Act, explaining the structure of the system (including state vs. independent schools, comprehensive vs. grammar schools), and describing GCSE and A-Level examinations. It also touches on the National Curriculum and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
How does the document discuss education in British politics?
This section delves into the impact of political changes on the British education system, focusing on the Thatcher era (financial cutbacks, shifting control away from LEAs, and the introduction of the National Curriculum) and the New Labour era (emphasis on education investment and infrastructure improvements). It highlights criticisms of the system and associated reforms.
What is the focus of the chapter on inequalities in English education?
This chapter focuses on gender inequalities in English secondary schools. It explores the development of these inequalities, offering potential explanations for the "gender gap" (considering both girls' improvements and boys' underachievement), and discusses strategies to address gender-based disparities.
What keywords are associated with this document?
Keywords include: English education system, gender inequalities, gender gap, Thatcherism, New Labour, education policy, secondary schools, National Curriculum, GCSEs, A-Levels, single-sex schools, academic achievement.
What is the overall structure of the document?
The document follows a clear, structured format. It begins with a table of contents, followed by a statement of objectives and key themes. Then, it provides chapter summaries, and concludes with a list of keywords. This structure allows for easy navigation and understanding of the document's content.
Who is the intended audience for this document?
The intended audience is likely academics and researchers interested in the English education system, gender inequalities, and the impact of political policies on education. The structured format and inclusion of keywords suggest its suitability for academic research and analysis.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Janina Böttcher (Autor:in), 2005, Education in England, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/130842
