The Dissolution of the Monasteries
As Henry VIII dissolved the greater monasteries (1540 AD) many of the church schools were closed. There was a focus on converting church schools to, or creating new, free schools known as Charity or Blue Coat Schools. The first of the existing King’s Schools to be endorsed, by way of Royal Charter, by Henry VIII was ‘The Kings School Ely’ (Est. 900 AD) in 1541 AD.
These boarding schools were established and maintained by voluntary contributions from locals for teaching the poorer children. The first charity school was Christ’s Hospital School (Est. 1552), and is the oldest surviving charity school – although it has only been at its current location in Horsham since 1902, prior to that it was in Hertford and originally at Christ Church Greyfriars in London, near St Paul’s Cathedral.
This period of reformation and change made a massive difference to the structure of the English school system, which resulted in schools becoming more freely available to the laity.
The Elizabethan Era
During the rule of Elizabeth I (1558 to 1603), Ascham and Comenius used their influence to stress the importance of correct teaching and the inclusion of play during the early years. Ascham was teacher to the Queen and was highly regarded by all. Comenius was invited to the House of Commons in 1640 and was requested to setup an agency for the promotion of learning, which facilitated the availability of universal books and the setup of further schools for both boys and girls. As a result, there was a substantial increase in the number and variety of schools available for younger children.
Dissatisfaction of the Curriculum
The 17th century brought general dissatisfaction with the traditional curriculum, and many grammar schools were found to not be meeting required needs of their students. Universities were also struggling and as a result many new academies were established with the aim of teaching a broader curriculum for all.
By the beginning of the 18th century education was becoming more readily available and many new establishments were forming. Charity schools were also becoming more readily available to help meet the needs of poorer children in towns and cities. Towards the end of the 18th Century the state created an official national education system, mainly due to the Industrial Revolution as far greater skills were required by the general working force. During the 1830’s advances were made into the teaching of young boys in preparation of secondary school and in 1837 Windlesham House School, the first Preparatory boys school, was established with the help of Thomas Arnold (the headmaster of Rugby school).
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The Clarendon Report
In 1861 the Royal Commission for Public Schools was established to inquire into the financial management, teaching practices and education available at the leading UK schools. Seven of these were boarding schools (Charterhouse School, Eton college, Harrow School, Rugby School, Shrewsbury School, Westminster School and Winchester College). The Clarendon Report was released in 1864 and made recommendations to the government, management and curriculum of these schools and resulted in the passing of the Public Schools Act 1868.
This Act removed the responsibility of these schools from the Crown and the Church, allowing each a separate board of governors, granting them independence. This change facilitated these schools to move away from the traditional curriculum and gave them the freedom to broaden their subject choices.
Endowed Schools and Elementary Education
The Taunton Commission was then established in 1864 to examine secondary schools, including the remaining 782 grammar schools that the Clarenden Report had not. It reported that the education standards were generally poor and that majority of English towns had no secondary school at all. The commissioners were particularly worried about the lack of schools available to girls. The Taunton Report resulted in the passing of the Endowed Schools Act of 1869, and created the Endowed Schools Commission to help with these issues.
In 1861 the Duke of Newcastle was commissioned to write a report into the state of England’s education system. This lead to the Elementary Education Act of 1870, making elementary education available to children between the ages of five and thirteen, and forming school boards to create a more universal system of education.
The Education Act
The Education Act of 1944 (also known as the Butler Act) was significant to the history of education and made many changes to the provision and governance of secondary schools in England and Wales. It highlighted the need of a Minister of Education and a statutory education system comprising of separate primary, secondary and further education establishments, including nursery schools for under five’s. Local Education Authorities were to be commissioned for each area to govern the schools and ensure their wellbeing was being met. This provided new opportunities for all children by removing the requirement to pay fees. It also defined the school leaving age as 15, which was later raised to 16 in 1973, as well as defining teacher’s requirements, expectations and salaries.
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The Education Act also empowered independent schools by providing direct grants in exchange to education students from state schools, which resulted in the creation of the eleven plus exam to assess students prior to placing. This period was however, a time of change and during the period of recession the government wished to divide the independent and state schools further. Wells Cathedral School (established 904 AD) became one of the first to become co-educational and was followed by The Kings School, Ely in 1970. In 1975 the direct grant was abolished and schools became fully independent.
Many boarding schools as a result started admitting self funded day pupils. Further schools also began to accept girls, and some became co-educational due to ease the pressure during this time of financial strain. Direct grants were partially reinstated between 1981 and 1997 in the national Assisted Places scheme, which supported approximately 80,000 pupils attending Independent educational establishments.
The Education Act 1996 repealed the final parts of the Education Act 1944 which had not already been removed or replaced. The 1996 Act’s purpose was to consolidate all the legislation that had been passed within the post-war era based on the 1944 Act. The Education Act 1996 is the legal basis for the education system as it is in Britain today.
Summary
This article shows that although not the founders of education in a global context, Britain has made a substantial contribution to developing the education system throughout the centuries. The original need to teach priests, monks and choir boys for the monasteries, the requirement for schooling that led to the first boarding schools has over time created a universal schooling system which has developed from strength-to-strength through the needs of society. It has been this consistent challenge from society that has been heard, accepted and acted upon which has developed one of the most versatile and leading education offerings available. Britain’s Boarding Schools still play a significant part in the wider education system, by providing a thorough education to their students and setting a high standard of achievement which many other educational establishments model themselves upon.
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We certainly owe a great deal to the many individuals, whether it be those in Government, Bishops, Monarchs or Scholars, who over time have played key roles to help make the British education system what it is today.
COMPREHENSION ASSIGNMENTS
A. Discuss how you understand the clauses/sentences below. If still in doubt, discuss them as a class.
1. …St. Augustine established song schools where sons of ‘gentlefolk’ were trained to sing in the cathedral choirs.
2. …He played a significant role in the development of boarding schools, introducing standards into the education curriculum including grammar, rhetoric (the art of speaking and writing with the view to persuade), law, poetry, mathematics, geometry, music and the scriptures.
3.…The monasteries tried to fight back, but were mainly unsuccessful.
4….two of the earliest public schools and were run as independent, self governed corporations.
5. …This period of reformation and change made a massive difference to the structure of the English school system.
6. …there was a substantial increase in the number and variety of schools available for younger children.
7. …Universities were also struggling and as a result many new academies were established with the aim of teaching a broader curriculum for all.
8.…In 1975 the direct grant was abolished and schools became fully independent.
9. ….It has been this consistent challenge from society that has been heard, accepted and acted upon which has developed one of the most versatile and leading education offerings available.
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B. Answer the questions on the text.
1. Who was St. Augustine?What is he famous for?
2. What do you know about the Norman invasion? How did it influence Education in England?
3. Why did Education become more available in the 12th century?
4. What are Chantries?
5. What role did Henry VIII play in the History of Education?
6. How did Elizabeth I influence English education?
7. Why was the Clarendon Report crucial for the system of Education?
8. What are Endowed Schools?
9. Why was the Education Act of 1944 significant to Education?
Speak Up
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What were the types of schools presented in English System of Education in the past?
2. What were the main features of Britain’s Education?
FOLLOW-UP
A. Make a two-minute statement on
· The King’s School, Rochester
· St. Peter’s School in York
· Royal Charter
· Charity or Blue Coat Schools
· Winchester
· Eton college
· ‘The Kings School Ely’
· Christ’s Hospital School
· Harrow School
· Rugby School
· Shrewsbury School
· Winchester College
· Christ Church Greyfriars
· Windlesham House School
· the Royal Commission
· Local Education Authorities
· Wells Cathedral School
Use texts from the Reader or readings that you find yourself.
B.* Compile a list of Topical Vocabulary necessary to speak on the issue (to be shared in class).
Vocabulary Practice
Ex. 1. Find words in the text to match the definitions below, reproduce the context they are used in;
1. n., continued being;
2. v., preach the gospel, convert to Christianity;
3. n., the residence of a religious community, esp. monks living in seclusion;
4. n., a regular group of singers, esp. taking part in church services;
5. v., set up or consolidate on a permanent basis;
6. n., the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop’s throne;
7. v., confer holy orders on, decree;
8. n., a person trained in theistic religion;
9. v., stop, decide to stop;
10. v., make or become smaller or less, lessen the reputation or influence of a person;
11. v., confirm, declare one’s approval of;
12. n., lay people as distinct from the clergy; non-professionals;
13. n., a body or particle distinct from the substance in which it is embedded;
14. n., advancement in rank and position;
15. v., consist of, be made up of, contain;
16. v., replace in a former position, restore;
17. n., a systematic plan;
18. v., make or become strong or solid, reinforce;
19. n., a learned person, an academic;
20. n., a state of being healthy, contented, etc.
Ex. 2. Find words in the text and give their synonyms; suggest their Russian equivalents; use the words in sentences of your own.
1. song schools
2. ‘gentlefolk’
3. Archbishop
4. School Master
5. the scriptures
6. collegiate churches
7. Private tuition
8. aristocratic families
9. ‘free grammar schools’
10. to fight back
11. liberal education
12. independent, fee paying schools
13. independent, self-governed corporations
14. converting church schools
15. voluntary contributions
16. charity school
17. a massive difference
18. the House of Commons
19. to setup an agency
20. facilitated
21. the traditional curriculum
22. a broader curriculum
23. a board of governors
24. the Duke of Newcastle
25. a Minister of Education
26. a statutory education system
27. primary, secondary and further education establishments
28. nursery schools
29. the eleven plus exam
30. the direct grant
31. to ease the pressure
32. a substantial contribution
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