1. Educational reform Date: 1st March 2011
Aim: To be able to suggest at one change the government has made to education and whether or not you think it has improved education.

2. Is it true that there’s a new law that you can’t leave school until you are 18?
No, you do not have to be at school. The government’s aim is: By 2015 all students aged up to 18 must be involved in some form of full or part time education or training at school, college or in employment.

3. New ideas to improve education:
1) Vocational training – work related learning 2) National curriculum 3) Testing 4) Competition 5) League tables

4. What vocational courses are offered at Crown woods
What vocational courses are offered at Crown woods? How is vocational training different to other subjects studied? What sorts of students may prefer vocational courses? How might vocational courses be criticised?

5. When was the national curriculum introduced?
Which subjects are compulsory?
How are students assessed?
How does it provide greater equality?
What are the drawbacks?

6. At what age do students take SAT’s?
What does SAT stand for?
What is the aim of SATS exams?
Why has the government removed testing at key stage 3?
Why do some people criticise testing students?
Read the extract on p.113 in the orange box.
Do you agree or disagree and why?

7. Read the extract on page 112 in the orange box.
How do school try and attract parents to their school over others in the area?
Should children just go to which ever school is nearest?
How does making school compete against each other improve standards?
What are the problems of having schools compete against each other for pupils?

8. BEST GCSE RESULTS IN ENGLAND 2009 – 100% 5 A
BEST GCSE RESULTS IN ENGLAND 2009 – 100% 5 A*-C Including Maths and English
Name, area
TYPE OF SCHOOL
Average points score
Contextual value added
Invicta Grammar School, Kent CY
B&E,L
SEL
GIRLS
764.5
1026.2
Dartford Grammar School for Girls, Kent FD
SC,M&C
747.4
997.3
Colyton Grammar School, Devon
SC,LEPP,LPS
MIXED
738.5
1035.1
Newstead Wood School for Girls, Bromley
E,L
724.6
1004.6
Heckmondwike Grammar School, Kirklees
T,L,TS
689.9
1014.3
Austin Friars St Monica's, Cumbria
IND
684.8 -
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, Birmingham VA
M&C,L
673.8
1006
South Wilts Grammar School for Girls, Wiltshire
M&C,SC
652.2
1014.2
The Tiffin Girls' School, Kingston upon Thames
650
1007.6

9. Worst performing schools in the UK, 2009
Name and Area
Type of school
% A*-C including English and Maths
Longton High School, Stoke-on-Trent CY A
COMP
MIXED
13%
Bishops Park College, Essex (S)
Excelsior Academy, Newcastle upon Tyne AC
12%
The Marlowe Academy, Kent
City of Leeds School, Leeds
Wilmington Enterprise College, Kent
B&E
MOD
11%
City of Preston High School, Lancashire
Blakewater College, Blackburn with Darwen
M&C
Staunton Community Sports College, Hampshire FD Sp
10%
St Peter's Church of England and Specialist Arts College, Essex VA 8%

10. Where is Crown Woods in the school league tables for this area?
Why were league tables introduced?
What sort of schools are more likely o be at the top of the league tables and why?
What sort of schools are more likely to be at the bottom of league tables and why?
Why might league tables improve standards in education?
Why might league tables be unhelpful?

11. Changes that the government has made to improve standards in education
over the last 20 years.
Policy
Description
Do you think it has improved educational standards?

12. Describe one change that government has made to education and explain if it has improved schools or not. (5)
One change could be introducing league tables. This means that schools are ranked according to exam results It has improved results because schools towards the bottom have pressure on them to improve. This is because if they are towards the bottom parents may be less likely to send their child to that school. For example, a school may have enrichments to make sure students get good results.
One mark for identifying a change
One mark for explaining it (2/2)
3/3 Explain using key terms and an example
You can argue in favour

13. One change could be _________________________ This means that _________________________ It has improved schools because _________________________ For example _________________________
Describe one educational reform since 1997 and explain how it has improved education. (5)
Describe one change in education since 1997 and explain how this change could have increased or decreased educational opportunities. (5)
Describe one way that governments have attempted to improve educational standards over the last 20 years and explain how successful this policy has been (5)
Describe one way that the government has improve schools and explain how this has raised standards. (5)
Describe one way that the government has attempted to introduce competition between schools and explain how this has raised standards. (5)

14. What changes would you make to schools of you were education minister?
What tests would you give children?
Would you have some compulsory subjects or can students choose whatever they want?
At what age would compulsory education end?
Would you give students money to study?
You have 10 minutes to plan then I will pick 5 people at random to explain their ideas to the class.
The class will then elect a new minister for education.

15. To what extent do sociologists agree that if we had more testing in schools, there would be better exam results. (12)
In groups, mind map what points you would include in this essay, then be ready to present your ideas in 10 minutes.