Forms or Types of Schools in the United Kingdom - Essay Example

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT EDUCATION IS IMMEDIATELY AND OBVIOUSLY RELEVANT TO THE INTERESTS OF THE PUPILS AND TO LIFE IN SOCIETY? By Instructor Institution Location Date Introduction Education is one of the most vital aspects of concern in every society. The development of the society highly depends on the level of education. The high level of professionalism and skilled force will make a nation develop fast. There are different education act that were passed in different years in the United Kingdom to ensure that every person gets education. The first education act was passed in 1870, which mainly focused on compulsory primary education for all the children. During that year, they also provided state-financed primary education. In 1902, there was the establishment of scholarships for the secondary students. Another education act was passed in 1944; it administered the creation of the Ministry of education, which in turn established compulsory and free secondary school education. The essay discusses how education is important and its relevance to the pupils and the society in the United Kingdom. Forms or types of schools in United Kingdom The types of schools clearly show how education is important in the United Kingdom. Most of the most famous schools in the United Kingdom are the private boarding schools, for instance, the Winchester School. The famous private schools were founded in the middle ages and parents need to pay a lot of fees for their children to study in such schools (Arthur 2010, p. 82). Although, the schools are considered for the influential and rich families; they also offer scholarships for the gifted but poor children. Private schools that take children between the age of 7 and 13 are referred to as kindergartens. On the other hand, those that take children between the age of 11 and 19 are referred to as public schools. Research shows that only 7 per cent of the United Kingdom attends the private schools (O’Hear&Sidwell 2009, p. 34). The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is given at age 16. If the student qualifies, he or she proceeds to the Advanced level of education commonly referred to as the “A” levels. Some of the students can be advised to stay in school up to age 18 to prepare themselves for higher education. The United Kingdom has 90 universities which the students can enrol. They are divided into several categories. The common universities are the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford (Bubb 2009, p. 56). Apart from the universities, students can also enrol in advanced education. The advanced education mainly focuses on applied technology and sciences, and they are polytechnics (Wright 2010, p.78). The polytechnic focuses on people who may not have qualified to go to the universities. They provide the learners with the skills which are required for the development of the technology. Some of them offer extension courses which are taught through videocassettes, television, radio programs, and correspondence. They were founded in 1969 (Hayes 2008, p.159). However, an education act enacted in 1992 changed most of them into universities. Thus, students need to attain a certain level of qualification for them to secure chances in such learning institution and become of help in the society. Apart from the formal learning process that is found in United Kingdom, they have also come up with distance education. Distance learning enables the teachers and students to interact with one another by means of television broadcasting, computers, artificial satellites, telephones and other technologies. Distance learning mainly occurs when all the process of learning is conducted from a distance, and the teacher evaluates the performance of the student over time. With the advancement of technology, most of the schools are offering distance learning programs to the students. They are administered differently in different learning institutions. Different technological advancement facilitated distance learning. The invention of the long distance telephone system in 1900s increases the possibility of distance learning. It made it easy for both teachers and students to communicate at a distance. Additionally, the development of the teleconferencing systems in 1990s greatly leads to the development of distant learning (Claxton 2008, p.145). Through teleconferencing, the student and teachers could see, hear and talk to one another in real time. There was no delay in transmission of information, regardless of the location. With the development of the computers, the people got access to the computer network communication hence facilitating distance learning. Reforms in the education sector Over time, there are various reforms that have come up to enhance the education in the United Kingdom. The government understands that education is important for the development of the nation economically, socially and politically (Cohen, Manion, Morrison & Wyse 2010, p.152). Through education, scholars come up with ideologies which are used in the development of the nation. Through the reforming of the education system, every child gets an equal chance in the education sector. Acquisition of education of every child shapes their destiny, and they become masters of their own fate. Children secure positions in different organizations according to their performance. In 2013, the government came up with a reform to ensure that there is quality control in the colleges. The government made accreditation mandatory. The legislature also came up with a process to devolve the higher education budget from the central government and reshape it. The reform was signed by 19 states (Ewens 2014, p.34). The other reforms include maximizing the tuition fee for the higher education institutions. The government also passed a bill to increase the maintenance grants and loans available for the undergraduates. Current reforms emphasize on strengthening the UK’s education sector (Hirsch 2012, p. 93). The reforms are aimed at making the education system more flexible and ensuring that there is world research classes. Students are always encouraged to come up with new innovations to ensure that they are involved in the development of the country. By coming up with new projects enhances, their creativity (Woodhead 2009, p.43). As a result, they became better citizens in the future. The higher institutions of learning are equipped with materials that enable the students to learn in a conducive environment. Thus, they have the confidence in their expertise because they handle equipment which they will handle in their areas of work. Additionally, by using the resources available in the learning institutions, they come up with new ideologies that shape the society (Kerry 2010, p.152). Subsequently, the government ensured that reduces the bureaucratic burden in schools. The red tape procedures implemented in the management system makes it hard for the schools to develop and became a better place (Goepel, Childerhouse& Sharpe 2014, and p.124). They reduced the duties, requirements, and processes to ensure that the schools are free and only focus on the main agenda which is education. There should be a good connection between the teachers and children so that knowledge can flow from one party to another. Children are supposed to have mental and physical health so that they can understand all the concepts which they are taught in school. Additionally, the white paper is part of the reforms and outlines the steps that should be followed to make education better and available for everyone. It looks at the rigorous attention to standards and shows the entire structural change that can be applied. The white paper also shows a plan which can be used to train and attract better teachers (Hall 2009, p.36). Teachers are very crucial in driving the education sector to a better position. Most of them determine the destiny of the students. Good teachers will improve the education system. The education system can be reformed in a way that it makes it one of the world’s top performers. Children are supposed to get a good teacher at a tender age. The foundation of a child greatly impacts on the performance of the child in the future. Thus, children are supposed to get access to good teachers at a tender age. There is no calling that is more professional, more vital and noble more than teaching. Teaching is a means in which children acquire what they have ever dreamt in their lives. It bridges the gap between the poor and the rich. Education cannot be under-estimated at any stage of life (Maclntyre 2009, p.82). The government should support the teachers at any cost if they want to have a better tomorrow. They should raise the qualification to match the best in the world and improve their professional status. Additionally, they should ensure that they raise the standards of the curriculum. The teachers should be given a chance to come up with different reforms for the education sector. Following the centralized government initiatives, causes more harm than good (Barmby, Bolden, & Thompson 2014, p.147). They should be given an opportunity to come up with a program for the good of the education system. They should not just be told to follow the laws set without a clear definition. Education status in the United Kingdom Despite the implementation of various reforms in the United Kingdom, there is a great disparity between the rich and poor. Statistics show that in every year around 80,000 children from poor families attend two schools (Glover 2002, p.34). On the other hand, a greater number of the children from richer families attend the school which is about 600,000 children. Recently, research showed that only 40 of the 80,000 students from the poor families made it to Oxbridge. The rest of the student’s fate was in the hands of polytechnics. The relevance of education Education is a strong weapon. It is a force that causes national development. It creates awareness among different individuals in the society. Thus, any educated member of the society keeps up with the world. Development of the new technologies helps people to know what is happening in the society today. By so doing, people gain knowledge from every part of the world. Introduction of the e-learning system enables people to acquire knowledge from different parts of the world, regardless of their location (Hughes 2006, p. 23). Without the acquisition of education, it is difficult for people to adapt the changes. Education enables one to get informed about all the happenings in the world and take the necessary actions. Education is closely linked to better health care. High level of illiteracy breeds ignorance. Ignorance is dangerous when it comes to providing better health care. Educated people know who to take up necessary measures to prevent the acquisition of diseases (Glazzard&Stokoe 2014, p.83). An educated person takes action in case of any symptom before the problem, or the illness becomes more serious. Education makes one to be open-minded, and they may decide to come up with new ways of dealing with an illness or preventing it. Thus, education enables one to take better care of the family and yourself. The education system instils good moral values. Through the education system, one understands right and wrong and what is morally upright according to the set rules and regulations. When a person is educated, they will strive towards achieving peace and following the set rules to make the world a better place. Uneducated people who are not educated will look for ways of survival that is why some of them engage in robbery and theft (Ginnis 2002, p.64). Education acquits one of their rights and responsibilities. Thus, one carries out what is required of him or her, leading to social peace and harmony. Through the education process, people come up with different ideologies which aim at enhancing the society as a whole. Educated people express their opinions confidently to the community. Thus, through giving out your ideas and providing job opportunities, one becomes a better person in the society. In the United Kingdom, educated people are involved in the development process because they have better ideas. Education is important for the economic prosperity of the nation. Educated minds come up with ideas aimed at developing the nation as a whole (Aronica 2009, p.54). The education system in United Kingdom enables the citizens to learn their rights and responsibilities (Robinson 2014, p.48). Through that they can present their grievances to the law firms if their rights are endangered. The citizens, thus enjoy their freedom and rights. Education gives one a chance to become financially dependent. One does not depend on a second party for survival. You can make your own decision when you acquire education. One can have investment ideas, hence making one realize all their dreams in life. Additionally, equality is also achieved through education. Education gives people a chance to enjoy equal opportunities in job placement and other crucial areas in the society (Owen & Burnett 2014, p. 78). Beyond the grades Research has shown that although some students attend school in the United Kingdom, some of them do not become useful in the society. Some undertake the school program as a requirement and forget that it is going to be of good help to them in the future. Education is more than the concepts acquired in class. Apart from getting better grades, students are supposed to gain knowledge, and the level of creativity should increase. Education acts as a reference point in making conclusions about the things that we already know (Cole 2002, p.81). Education contributes to the growth of an individual. It opens up on to things that are not taught in class. During socialization, students interact with fellow students from different cultures. In the process, they appreciate one another and work towards the achievement of a common goal (Blakemore & Frith 2005, p.71).Thus, education is vital in building skills such as decision-making, creative thinking, and social skills. Education system opens one to the real world because it offers different courses on personal development, financial techniques and life planning techniques. One is introduced to different thought processes, cultures,and religions (Day & Qing 2010, p.28). Consequently, schools work as an arena why young people prepare for work. Students learn how to manage their time by being given deadlines to carry out their assignments. Through the curriculum process, they learn what is expected of them and know how they are supposed to coordinate all their activities. In the workplace, someone may drop a stack of work on your desk, and you are supposed to work on it within a specific deadline (Holmes 2008, p.89). Expertise in any field majorly depends on one’s ability to give good results within the set deadline. Thus, coming up with an effective working plan is part of the education process. Motivating the students Teachers should come up with strategies to make the learning process interesting. The education system should develop their attitudes and values so that they can be better citizens. Teachers should make the learning process enjoyable. They do this by developing different approaches for, learning, for instance, developing physical activities to anchor learning (Wilson 2011, p.90). Through physical approach, students learn better, and they are prepared for the world tomorrow. Students are supposed to be given the opportunity to participate actively in the learning process. Fundamentals of good education There are different fundamentals which facilitate good practice in the learning process. The first fundamental is authenticity. Any experience that the teachers give must be applied in day to day activities. Authenticity enables the students to relate the learning process with the real world. There is also a need for reflection on the hypothesis that the students learn. A reflective process is an integral part the experimental learning process (Bold 2011, p.41). Reflection is fundamental in measuring outcomes and adjusting the experiences. Evaluation and assessment are also important in the in providing quality outcomes. Assessment involves having quality objectives and identifying the goals. Conclusion In conclusion, the education system needs well-deployed teaching support teachers for the students to achieve excellent results. Every member of the school staff has a role to play in ensuring that students get a quality education. The essay discusses how education is important and its relevance to the students and the society. It has also brought out the reforms that facilitated the development of the education system in the United Kingdom. Teachers should feel empowered in performing their work so that they can give their best students. Students should always understand that the education system should make better persons in the society. Through undergoing the education system, they should be willing to give back to the society. Bibliography Aronica, L. and Robinson, K. 2009,The Element. Penguin Books: London, UK. 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