1. The purpose of education continued
Starter: What are the five functions of education?
Task: Complete table on the functions of education
(15 mins)
Students complete table on the functions of education from last lesson

2. Functionalist theory’s views
Purpose and definition
Functionalist theory’s views
Marxist theory’s views
Economic purpose -
Selective purpose –
Secondary socialisation –
Social control purpose –
Political purpose –
Sociologists from this perspective argue that education gives children knowledge and skills such as literacy, numeracy and ICT which they will need in adulthood in order to be able to get jobs.
Sociologists from this perspective argue that education strengthens the unequal class system so children from working class backgrounds learn the skills for low status jobs and children from middle class backgrounds gain the qualifications needed for high status jobs. This ensures that the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor.
Through this purpose the education transmits (passes on) knowledge and skills required by employers.
Children who do well in exams are therefore seen as the most able and are rewarded with high status occupations. This is called a meritocratic system and it means to get what you deserve depending on how hard you’ve worked. This helps promote social mobility.
Sociologists from this perspective argue that education does not reward hard work, but that it benefits children from middle class families more that children from working class families
Through this purpose the education grades individuals by ability, chooses the most able people for the most important jobs.
Education socialises children into a common culture. They learn to behave in ways that will be necessary in a working environment such as taking orders from managers and being punctual. Also, at school children from all social, religious and ethnic backgrounds meet and learn to get along.
Sociologists from this perspective argue that education teaches children to accept the rules of more powerful people in society. So learning to study hard at school will make them work hard in their adult occupations which benefits the employers.
Through this purpose education transmit social norms and values to younger generations.
Sociologists from this perspective argue that for society to run smoothly there must be some means of regulating) people’s behaviour. Schools act as agents of social control by teaching rules such as punctuality. This prepares children for adult life when they will have obey the laws.
Sociologists from this perspective see the social control imposed on children at school as serving the ruling class by teaching the children not to question authority even if it’s harmful to them.
Through this purpose education teaches acceptance of rules and authority.
Education teaches children how to become good citizens by participating in, for example, elections. Also, through subjects such as PSHE, children from many different backgrounds learn to see themselves as belonging to the British culture thus developing a sense of ‘Britishness’.
Sociologists from this perspective argue that education teaches children that only certain opinions are tolerated and are allowed to be expressed. This way, the education system protects the ideas of the ruling class.
Through this purpose education teaches people to be good citizens.

3. Task 2 Work in pairs – person A and B.
Person A needs to write paragraph A from the following slide into your book and fill in the missing words. Person B needs to write paragraph B into your book and fill in the missing words.
Once you’ve finished, swap books, read each other’s work and decide if the person got all the words correct.

4. Functionalist and Marxist views on education
15 Mins
Paragraph A
Functionalists examine social institutions such as family, __________, religion and media in terms of the __________ role they perform. Therefore, for Functionalists, education, as a social ____________, performs a beneficial role for individuals and __________.
Functionalist believe that school is a __________ system – everyone has an equal chance to succeed. It is part of the __________ socialisation process which teaches children how to behave and it passes on the skills and knowledge they need to gain __________ in a modern society. For example, literacy, _________ and ICT skills and vocational courses. Davis and Moore believed the purpose of education was ‘role allocation’ – matching students up with the __________ they are best suited to.
Paragraph B
Marxists, on the other hand, examine society in terms of the __________ between the powerful and powerless groups in society. Put simply, those who are financially well off and control the industries (the _____________) are served by the social institutions which work to maintain their power. Therefore, the role of __________ is to serve the interests of the ruling class.
Marxist believe that __________ society is unfair and that the rich benefit more from education than the __________ class.
Bowles and Gintis argued that school teaches children to follow instructions, accept ____________ and teach irrelevant knowledge to the students.
Working class students reject school, fail to get good qualifications and therefore get low paid __________.
Students complete the gap-fill
conflict
education
meritocratic
secondary
jobs
positive
institution
society
ruling class
hierarchy
working
capitalist
employment
numeracy

5. Functionalist and Marxist views on education
Paragraph A
Functionalists examine social institutions such as family, education, religion and media in terms of the positive role they perform. Therefore, for Functionalists, education, as a social institution, performs a beneficial role for individuals and society.
Functionalist believe that school is a meritocratic system – everyone has an equal chance to succeed. It is part of the secondary socialisation process which teaches children how to behave and it passes on the skills and knowledge they need to gain employment in a modern society. For example, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills and vocational courses. Davis and Moore believed the purpose of education was ‘role allocation’ – matching students up with the jobs they are best suited to.
Paragraph B
Marxists, on the other hand, examine society in terms of the conflict between the powerful and powerless groups in society. Put simply, those who are financially well off and control the industries (the ruling class) are served by the social institutions which work to maintain their power. Therefore, the role of education is to serve the interests of the ruling class.
Marxist believe that capitalist society is unfair and that the rich benefit more from education than the working class.
Bowles and Gintis argue that school teaches children to follow instructions, accept hierarchy and teach irrelevant knowledge to the students.
Working class students reject school, fail to get good qualifications and therefore get low paid jobs.
conflict
education
meritocratic
secondary
jobs
society
positive
ruling class
institution
working
capitalist
employment
numeracy

6. Functionalism Marxism
Which picture represents the Functionalist and which one represents the Marxist view of education and why?

7. Task 3
10 Mins
Having considered the Functionalist and Marxist arguments, do you think the British education system is meritocratic or not and why?
Describe and explain one way in which schools prepare pupils for employment in later life.
(5 marks)
Students complete the above questions independently

8. Plenary True or false? Education is not a social institution.
5 Mins
True or false?
Education is not a social institution.
Education is compulsory for all aged 5 to 16/18.
Truanting children go to prison.
Functionalists argue that education is harmful to society.
Marists argue that education helps the elite (ruling class) maintain their power.
Marxists argue that education turns children into passive, unquestioning adults.
Meritocracy means that people get what they deserve depending on how hard they work/study.
Marxists argue that working class children miss out on learning because their parents can’t afford to provide them with learning resources such as books and PCs at home.
Functionalists argue that education teaches children to accept the laws of society.
Marxists argue that education is a form of secondary socialisation which is useful to society.

9. Home learning
Fill in the worksheet.
Due – next lesson.

10. Positive phone call home will be made
Aliyah (For working to the best of her ability and for good contribution in class
Positive phone call home will be made