Exploring UK Education: A Historical, Sociological, Political Review

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the UK education system from historical, sociological, and political perspectives, focusing on major changes over the last 160 years. It examines the Education Act of 1902 as a significant turning point, highlighting the shift in educational administration to local authorities and the controversies surrounding religious influences. The essay further discusses the impact of these changes on society, including increased awareness of education's importance, the integration of technology, and the development of interpersonal skills. It also addresses the role of education in political agendas and the ongoing efforts to enhance education services for personal and societal growth. The essay concludes that continuous adaptation and enhancement of the education system remain a priority, driven by historical context, sociological needs, and political imperatives.

Historical, Sociological
and Political
Perspectives on
Education

Discuss a major change in the UK education system that has occurred in the
last 160 years. Consider why and how the change came about and what
impact it had on education in the UK
Education can be considered as the environment which facilitates in providing
knowledge, information, development of skills, moral values, discipline, and various other
contexts. Education is comprised of the involvement of two fractions, the one which is serving
the knowledge or information and the one seeking to explore learning. The education system in
the UK has been separated into four parts as Primary education, Secondary education, further
education, and higher education. These education phases are regulated in two types of
institutions that are government-funded State schools which are free for all and Independent
schools which impose fees from the parents of students. This essay is an evaluation and
exploration of the UK education system and the changes induced in the UK education system
with an instance of political and sociological aspects (Gordon, 2018).
Education is the procedure of providing knowledge, learning, values, skills, and other
qualities to the desired learner. Education allows knowledge of various subjects, disciplines, and
skills which results in academic as well as personal development. This environment is necessary
for the development of an individual as well as society. Education is beyond all these academic
subjects and curriculum. In addition to that, the main purpose of education is the development of
the students with building confidence, providing knowledge, enhancing capabilities, and
establishing a passionate character. All these efforts were initiated in the view of preparing the
students for a successful life ahead. Education is considered an essential need for life which
starts from the early infant phase and proceeds consistently in every phase of life.
The education system in the UK is divided into four separate parts as Primary education
(5 to 11 years old), Secondary education(11 to 16 years old), Further education, and Higher
education. In the initial stage, students are provided with fun activities in learning to develop an
attachment with institutions. The level of learning increases with the increasing age of the
student gradually and efficiently (Mulholland and Turner, 2018). The UK education authority
attempts to provide quality education and develop strategies for the same in an efficient manner.
Institutes in the UK accommodate in providing interactive methods of teaching with allowing a
better understanding for the student. For instance, an Interactive session is meant by teaching

where both teachers, as well as students, interact with each other. The quality and efficiency of
the UK's education system are maintained and regulated by their QAA (Quality Assurance
Agency). It is a unique factor of the UK's education system that QAA analyses and compares
institutes with regular feedbacks and audits. Universities and schools of the UK allow financial
support to the enrolled students in various forms as scholarships, fellowships, student loans,
bursaries, etc.
The education system of the UK has been organized numerous times in a new different
manner in the 20th century. From the introduction of the Tripartite System in the 1940s to
considering academies as the main kind of Secondary institution in 2010 UK's education system
has been through various changes. The Education Act, 1902 was one of the major changes
occurred and introduced in the education system of UK. This act suggested thorough change to
the education system existed previously. According to this act, the central board of education
was needed to replaced by local authorities being in-charge or education system responsible for
directing and controlling the education authorities. The education system defined through this act
was supposed to be resulting in opportunity raising current standards for education system.
Institutions and the education system have recognized huge changes from subject matter to
method and approaches of teaching. Major changes include awareness of the importance of
education, increasing number of platforms, availability of more teachers, education on
mandatory terms.
Technology has made a vital impact on education as chalkboards are replaced by smart
boards and whiteboards, notebooks by laptops and ipads, notes on paper by online docs and pdf,
and many other elements. The main focus of education authorities is to prepare a student for
every perspective of life and carrier. New and creative assessments and curriculums have been
added to the education for the development of interpersonal skills. Subjects to be taught in
institutions have been increasing in the education system with considering the professional and
personal interests of the students. Extra curriculum activities are now considered important
elements in the growth of a student. Students can explore various fields of interests and passion
with an appropriate system of education provided in different Universities and schools. Higher
authorities in the UK are promoting every field of education as a major part of the education
system (Pitts, 2019).

Society has recognized the importance and enhancement of the education system as a
requirement for personal growth and development. Education has been acknowledged as the
means of acquiring knowledge from a young age for the achievement of a successful carrier
ahead. A successful carrier is meant by fame, wealth, and social status. Moreover, people in the
society are supporting education systems and the efforts of education authorities in the
enhancement of this system. The quality education provided by UK institutions has resulted in
the development of society. Educated society can be seen as more productive compared to the
less educated society as the education system is teaching various social and life values for
personal growth and development of society (Carrington, 2020).
The education system is a major concern in the political world. Committing to the
enhancement of education and free compulsory education for all is an essential part of the
political mechanism. The government is putting immense efforts into spreading awareness and
promoting education activities with creative and innovative ideas. The political mechanism is
putting education as a priority for the development of society and retaining their position in
power. For instance, to make a productive belief in society, the government has to regulate and
promote education services with consistent development strategies (Auron and Ruzga, 2019).
Awareness of the political world and its functioning among students could result in better
participation of students in political activities. Therefore, it could give the nation a better and
more effective leader in the regulation of governance.
According to Trevor Fisher, (2021), Education Act 1902 has been resisted by many
representatives in the history of education system in UK. The Act was drafted by AJ Balfour
which reorganised the education administration to the local level. John Clifford raised voice
against the legislation for various reasons as use of rate aid to support teaching of religious
views, sectarian schools were not under control of public, teachers were subject to religious tests,
etc. Major controversies showed the evidence of nonconformists against the Balfour Education
Act 1902. The National passive committee, was concerned primarily for Protestants, who were
not members to the Church of England. The Liberals involved in this controversy remained in
power, but they faced high opposition from extremists.(History in Education: An Ongoing
Debate, 2021).
Historic changes in education system of UK has also impacted positively the welfare of
society and the growth of personnel for the students. Students were allowed to work on their

interested fields and development of personal skills. The change has impacted in giving a better
view of academics as well as other curriculums for the growth of the student. Every single
student has some other quality or skill which is different from other students. In addition to that,
all the aspects of student life are given appropriate importance and are considered for
development and training. Assessments and curriculum activities are organized for retaining the
attachment of the student with the institution in his growth phase. Mental, as well as physical
health, is now a major concern for the authorities of the institutions. For instance, sports and
fitness are promoted and are also subject matter in most of the schools. Education promotes
awareness of financial services and government subsidy policies for business opportunities
which supports fresh and new business ideas. Technology has reached massive heights and being
technology friendly is a necessary aspect of future growth. Institutions in the United Kingdom
are providing deep knowledge to their students for technology and gadgets and the efficient use
of technology in their personal as well as professional development (The role of transformation
in learning and education for sustainability, 2018).
Conclusion
From the above assessment, it can be concluded that changes and enhancing the
education system have been the utmost priorities from every perspective be it Historical,
Sociological, or Political. Further, it can be said that since the establishment of the first platform
of education changes have been adapted consistently to develop education services. It can be said
that society has majorly promoted the efforts of government and education authorities in
advancing the education system. The current education system dedicates proper importance to all
the aspects of a student's education procedure. Betterment of education services has been and
will always be a consistent and efficient process.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Auron, Y. and Ruzga, R., 2019. The pain of knowledge: Holocaust and genocide issues in
education. Routledge.
Carrington, V., 2020. Rethinking middle years: Early adolescents, schooling and digital culture.
Routledge.
Gordon, E., 2018. UK EDUCATION SYSTEM. Эпоха науки, (16), pp.241-242.
Mulholland, G. and Turner, J. eds., 2018. Enterprising Education in UK Higher Education:
Challenges for Theory and Practice. Routledge.
Pitts, S., 2019. A century of change in music education: Historical perspectives on contemporary
practice in British secondary school music. Routledge.
Online
History in Education: An Ongoing Debate, 2021. [online]. Available
at:<https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-education-ongoing-debate>
The role of transformation in learning and education for sustainability, 2018. [online]. Available
at:<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965261831984X>