The English Education System - A Historical Perspective

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2004 im Fachbereich Anglistik - Kultur und Landeskunde, Note: 1,3, Universitt Paderborn (Fakultt fr Kulturwissenschaften - Anglistik/Amerikanistik), Veranstaltung: Topics in Current British Affairs, Sprache: Deutsch, Anmerkungen: Es handelt sich um eine Seminararbeit, welche aus geschichtlicher Perspektive die Probleme des heutigen englischen Bildungssystems beleuchtet. , Abstract: Innovation and knowledge have become the motivating forces for growing economies, therefore a country needs to provide an effective education system, which offers equal opportunities for all people and ensures that employees have the right skills to make their businesses be successful. In England lies the responsibility for the education service with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) headed by the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP. In the foreword of this year's departmental report he makes the following statement: The practical challenge for all of us is to ensure that children's services [...] provide the very best for children throughout the system. It is a window of opportunity, which we must take full advantage of.1 This is one example showing that nowadays education plays an important role for and in the English society. During the last year record sums of money have been invested in education2 and Mr. Clarke proudly presented the fulfilment of ambitious targets in the annual report of the DfES. The performance of schools and pupils have been increased throughout the country. Early education is accessible for nearly all 3- year-olds. By implementing new key strategies like "21st Century Skills - Releasing our Potential" and "Every Child Matters" standards shall continue to improve and new opportunities shall be created.3 But are these "one size fits all" measures really tackling the problems of today's education system in England? Or is it rather an (anachronistic) approach to solving complex social problems (such as the educ