Introduction


            The educational system of England underwent a lot of significant reforms right from the introduction of the 1944 Education Act.  The Act gave everyone a free access to a secondary education for the first time.  However, the system has certain setbacks that have been noticed.  The secondary moderns failed to challenge the majority of the brightest students and denied opportunities for a vocational education since technical schools never really played a major part in the system. 


            Even though there have been initially pressures from middle class parents not pleased with the standards in secondary moderns, it paved the way for comprehensive schools and the conversion of grammars and secondary moderns in the 1960s and 1970s. 


            It was in the late eighties that a National Curriculum was introduced which was accompanied by greater accountability through national testing and regular independent inspection.  Such accountability was extended even up to 1997 with literacy and numeracy reforms in primary schools that aims to encourage improvements in all schools.  There were then expectations to improve quickly those failing schools while a challenge has been set for those under-performing schools. 


            With such a new educational system in the late 90s, the quality of teaching has been transformed.  The proficiency of teaching rises in primary schools from 45% in 1997 to 74% in 2004/05, and from 59% to 78% in secondary schools. 


 


United Kingdom’s Educational System


            In transforming England’s school system, the first step was determined by the needs and aspirations of parents.  Parents played a significant role in their quest for excellent educational system for their child.  Accounting to this, it was a challenge for the education department in giving every parent confidence that their child will gain outstanding education.  Furthermore, schools were shaped according to the interest of parents and children.  Good schools were expanded that greatly influence and benefit more parents.  As parents have high aspirations for their children, it is appears that they also place high demands on schools.  They want the best for their own chills and also to have a strong stake in the performance of the school as a whole.  The support and commitment from parents are the most powerful influence on the learning and progress of the child.  These are just a good reason for the educational system to strive hard for higher standards.  A unique system, Sure Start Children’s Center was developed for the involvement of the parents making sure that what is delivered is right for them and their children.  Parents was in the center of everything the schools do. 


            Another factor that makes the United Kingdom’s educational system effective and undoubtedly a success is the ability of parents to express a preference for the school they want their child to attend.  In responding to this reality, the UK has a growing number of specialist schools and is predicted to be a fully specialist school system within just two years.  This will offer a greater choice for parents to choose what school would suit their child’s strengths and interests. 


            Personalized educational system tackles the persistent achievement gaps between different social and ethnic groups.  This resulted into an improved social mobility while driving up standards.  It is another key ingredient for the system’s effectiveness as it will create opportunity for every child regardless of their background. 


            Along with the achievement of high educational standards is the development of well-being of the children.  Unbelievably, UK has additional extended schools that offer a wider range of activities to a larger group of children.  Such extended schools will stretch and stimulate children and young people to learn and engage n sport and enrichment activities, especially to the disadvantaged. 


            Discipline also played a vital role in UK’s educational system for without it, it would be impossible for teachers to teach and for pupils to learn.  The schools have clear discipline and behavior codes where everybody knows what is expected of them and what the sanctions are for misbehavior. 


Conclusion


            There are actually a lot of factors for the effectiveness of the educational system of the United Kingdom.  With all those above-stated statements, UK’s educational system is without a doubt, a world-class system for other countries to follow. 



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