Historical Timeline (Education in England & Wales: 1944 - 2008)

Spens Report

Jan 1, 1938

Recommendations:

• Tripartite System
• Raise school leaving age to 16

Norwood Report

Jan 1, 1943

Recommendations:

• Supported Tripartite System mentioned in Spens report

Education Act (Butler)

Mar 1, 1944

Recommendations:

• School leaving age raised to 15
• Universal free schooling to age of 18
• 3 types of school with entry based on 11+ exam ('Tripartite System': Grammar, Secondary Modern, Technical)
• Teachers' leader and former president of NUT Giles described the act as " ... a drastic recasting of our educational system"

McNair Report

Jul 1, 1944

Recommendations:

• Re-organise and improve teacher training
• Increased salaries for trainees

Percy Report

Jan 1, 1945

Recommendations:

• Technological advancement through technological education in colleges and universities

Barlow Report

Jan 1, 1946

Recommendations:

• More university places Science

Education Act

Oct 12, 1946

Recommendations:

• Guidance and rules on the management of schools

Clarke Report

Oct 12, 1947

Main recommendation:

• Increased funding for schools

School leaving age raised to 15

Dec 1, 1947

Clarke Report

Oct 12, 1948

Recommendations:

• Out of school activities for children and parents

British Nationality Act

Dec 1, 1948

Recommendations:

• Commonwealth citizens recognised as British citizens

Underwood Report

Oct 12, 1955

Recommendations:

• LEAs set up Child Guidance Service (Maladjusted children)

Colleges of Advanced Technology

Oct 12, 1956

Technical and Further Education colleges upgraded to 'Colleges of Advanced Technology'

Crowther Report

Jun 12, 1959

Recommendations:

• Further education opportunities for 15 - 18 year olds

Education Act

Aug 15, 1962

Recommendations:

• LEAs provide grants (fees & living costs) for those on first degree and teacher training courses
• LEAs must ensure pupils in their area are attending school
• Parents must ensure any children aged 5 - 16 attend school or risk prosecution

Newsom Report

Jan 12, 1963

Recommendations:

• Too many pupils leaving school too early, talent being wasted. Increased funding and resources for lower-ability 13-16 year olds.
  

Robbins Report

Nov 12, 1963

Recommendations:

• Higher education opportunities for all with necessary ability

Education Act (Boyle Act)

Oct 12, 1964

Recommendations:

• 'Middle schools' introduced as a bridge between Primary and Secondary schools

'Certificate of Secondary Education' (CSE) introduced

Feb 12, 1965

'Certificate of Secondary Education' introduced

Polytechnics established

Jan 12, 1966

Local Government Act

Oct 12, 1966

• Changes made to funding, including funding for educating children of immigrants

Plowden Report

Oct 12, 1967

Recommendations:

• Child-centred education
• More male teachers
• Primary school children should not be physically punished
• More contact and communication between Primary schools and pupils' homes

Education Act (I) and (II)

Oct 12, 1968

Recommendations:

• 'Comprehensive' schools
• Governors for Polytechnics and colleges

Children and Young Persons Act

Jan 12, 1969

• LEAs made responsible for children out of education and/or requiring further care and support

Haslegrave Report

Oct 12, 1969

Recommendations:

• Technical and business education promoted

Education of Handicapped children

Oct 12, 1970

LEAs made responsible for the education of handicapped children

School leaving age raised from 15 to 16

Jan 12, 1973

Education Act

Oct 12, 1973

Grants no longer available for students on post-graduate courses

Sex Discrimination Act

Oct 12, 1975

Had major impact on teaching jobs and admissions

Race Relations Act

Oct 12, 1976

Warnock Report

Jan 12, 1978

Report looked into Special Educational Needs students

Waddell Report

Oct 12, 1978

First mentioned single exam at aged 16 (What is now known as 'GCSE', introduced in 1986)

Education Act

Oct 12, 1980

Main points:

• LEAs not obliged to provide free meals and milk
• Parents given greater power over admissions and greater influence as governors
• Assisted places scheme (public money granted to children enabling them to attend private schools)

Rampton Report

Oct 12, 1981

Education of ethnic minority children

School curriculum

Oct 12, 1981

LEAs advised about school curriculum

Cockroft Report

Oct 12, 1982

Major report on importance and teaching of Mathematics

CATE

Oct 12, 1983

Set standards for ITT courses

Green paper

Oct 12, 1984

Gave more power to parents

The Swann Report

Jan 12, 1985

Education of ethnic minority students

The curriculum (5 - 16)

Oct 12, 1985

Curriculum for learning and experience

GCSE introduced

Jul 12, 1986

16+ exam

Education Act

Dec 12, 1986

Main points:

• Corporal punishment abolished
• Parent meetings with governors
• Sex education

Education 'Reform' Act

Oct 12, 1988

Main points:

• National Curriculum established
• Guidelines for testing

Black Report

Oct 12, 1988

Main points:

• Testing
• School league tables

Education Act (Student loans)

Oct 12, 1990

Student loans introduced for higher education

Polytechnics given 'University' status

Oct 12, 1991

Education Act

Oct 12, 1992

Established 'Ofsted'

FE & HE Act

Oct 12, 1992

• LEAs no longer in control of 6th forms and colleges
• HEFC (HE Funding Council)

Education Act

Oct 12, 1993

Main Points:

• Looked at'Failing schools' and exclusions
• Defined SEN

Kennedy Report

Oct 12, 1997

Looked at increasing students taking up further education

Green paper

Oct 12, 1997

Looking into needs of students with SEN (5 year plan)

Teaching and Higher Education Act

Oct 12, 1998

Main points:

• General Teaching Council (GTC) established
• Students required to contribute towards fees

Moser Report

Oct 12, 1999

Raising literacy and numeracy levels

The Childrens Act

Oct 12, 2004

Every Child Matters (ECM) based on Green paper 2003

Raise school leaving age?

Oct 12, 2007

Plans to raise school leaving age to 18 by 2013