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The Education Act of 1944
The implementation of the act significantly reduced the inequalities that were predominant within education. On a personal level, it meant that families like mine, who are working class and not situated in a particularly affluent area, would be more likely to get a place in a grammar school. The number of 'free' places were increased, however added costs such as uniform meant that many families still could not afford the privilage. Even so, this act was the start of a positive change. -
Introduction of the GCE
In this year, the GCE (General certificate of Education- O level ) was introduced, along with the A level for post-compulsory education. I ended up taking my A level exams nearly 60 years later. The abolishment of the O-level occured later in the twentieth century, which my parents would have studied for. It is useful to acknowledge how their education differs from mine to better understand the system and how it's changed. -
15-18 (The Crowther Report)
The Crowther report strongly recommended that the school leaving age should be raised to 16. It expressed concerns that young people within the 15-18 age group were not being sufficiently educated. David Eccles, the minister of education, did not adopt the recomendation. It also called for more training for teachers, to attract more people into the profession. -
Newsom Report
The newsome report stated that those between the ages of 13-16 were on average or less than ability. This caused the minister of education to reconsider the school leaving age. The report also encouraged the extension of the school day and the introduction of extra curricular activities. -
Robbins Report
This report underpinned the importance of higher education, and established plans to expand it, to cater for more people who will have differing abilities. This was significant for me because I had a set idea from secondary school that I wanted to go to university, and would have been dissapointed If i couldn't go. -
The Plowden Report
This report was directly related to our primary education system, and stressed the idea of a good environment for children to develop in. There were suggestions during this time that intelligence can be inherited just as skin colour could, and thus maipulating the environment a child learns in can ultimately transform how they learn. In my primary education, a positive environment was the key to my success, and not only did it prepare me for secondary school, it gave me key moral traits. -
School leaving age raised to 16
Under the thatcher government, the compulsory school leaving age was introduced as 16. In terms of my personal education, at 16 I was more able to make decisions that would affect my future, at 14 I didn't know what I wanted to do. I feel that this change was necessary in terms of personal development. -
Charter of Parents' Rights
This document was procuded to manifest the rights of parents in terms of their childrens education. It included information regarding a local appeal system created for parents who wish to appeal against admission decisions. This would be later revisited in the 1980 Education Act. -
Sex Discrimination Act
Estbalished to illegalise discrimination in terms of sex or based on marriage. This move to equality was extremely important. In terms of my personal development, I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for female, as well as male role models. Most of my teachers during school were female, and so their involvment within education, without facing discrimination has been a positively evolvment. -
Race Relations Act
Complements the introduction of the Sex discrimination act perfectly. It was established to promote equality and stop racism within working professions. Personally, I have lived during a time where in the eyes of the law, everybody is seen as equal. Policies such as this one have acted as moral guidances during my development -
The Education Act 1980
This act underpinned the importance of parental choice, and gave parents the power to appeal against a decision made by their LEA, in regards to admissions into schools. This affected me significantly because I did not get my first choice of school, which led to the appeal in 2002. This was the most promiment piece of legislation for me, because in terms of social climate, I wanted to go to a school I knew was respected and had good reviews. -
Introduction of GCSE's
GCSE's were introduced as a replacement for O-levels and CSE (Certificate in secondary education). They were combined as a General certificate in education, which I would eventually study for in my secondary education. -
Education Reform Act 1988
This act witnessed the introduction of the national curriculum and (KS) Key stages within learning, This was shortly before I was born so would impact significantly on my education. It allowed schools to progress their pupils through each key stage as an indicator as to their academic ability. -
Student Finance
From this date, loans were available to complement the government grant for students studying an undergraduate degree or post graduate certificate in education. Student finance was formed as a private sector of the government to provide means tested loans. This helped me personally coming from a low income family. -
Birthdate
I was born on this day at approximately 12:30am at the Manor Hospital in Walsall -
The Education Act 1993
This act made important changes in terms of SEN. It allowed parents to have more power in terms of their choice of school, it set up a tribunal for appeals against a decision about a childs SEN status, introduced grant funded special schools for SEN pupils, and established the code of practice which provides LEA's with information of how schools should be maintaining care for young people with special educational needs. -
Started Primary School
On this date I started my primary education at Little Bloxwich C of E primary school. My mother also went to this school, so we knew it well. -
The Education Act 1996
The Education Act 1996 instructed schools to produce a broad and balanced curriculum that would eventually prepare young people for the transition into adult life. It would be more than subject specific, and encompass social and moral aspects too. -
Period: to
Primary School
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1997 White Paper Excellence in Schools
This government policy outlined the new changes into the education system. It encouraged schools to become 'specialist' in a particular field, it improved training for ITT's/Teachers, and mixed ability teaching was placed onto the agenda. My secondary school was made a science college during my studying there, and for that reason I do believe I improved in the subject. Also improvements for ITT's would impact on my future. -
Every Child Matters
A government initiative launched at the beginning of my secondary education, so personally I experienced it's implementation. It aims for all children, regardless of their backgrounds or social situations to: Be healthy
Stay safe
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well-being Through effective mentoring and maintaining of care, these values should be met. In particular, as someone training to teach, it will be important to keep these characteristics in mind. -
My Appeal
Upon hearing the news that my first choice of secondary school, Shire Oak, was rejected, I was devestated. We were just outside of the area criteria and so I was unable to go. Therefore, my parents decided to appeal against the decision, along with other pupils at my primary school who wanted to go there but couldn't This event was quite significant for me because I had my heart set on going there. We had to attend several hearings, but inevitabley we won the appeals process and I was delighted. -
Finished Primary School
The time had come to grow up and move on. It was time to finish primary school and join a more adult world. -
Finished Primary School
On the day I finished primary school, I had a good healthy confidence. I recieved an award on the final day, which is a tradition at the school, for the pupil who had shown all the best attributes of a pupil since the start of our education there. I was chosen for impecible behaviour and a willingness to learn, and I recieved a trophy for it. It filled me with confidence because I was recognised for something prestigious. -
Started Secondary School
This is the day that I started secondary school. I felt nervous, but confident that I had made the right decision. However, on my induction day, I was put in a form where none of my primary school friends were, as they were all in the same form group. I was upset about this and so they agreed to let me change forms. This made me feel significantly better and I began my first days as a secondary pupil. -
Period: to
Secondary Education
This was the period that I attended Shire Oak School as a secondary pupil. -
The Equality Act 2006
This act was significant for schools because it meant that a pupil could not be discriminated for in terms of religion, beliefs or sexual orientation. This was a positive change for me in terms of education and the workplace. -
Fast Track Maths
In year 10, 11 pupils from the top three sets were placed into a 'fast track' group. These pupils had shown potential in Maths during KS3. I was one of these pupils, and the decision had been made that we would take our GCSE one year early. I really enjoyed the lessons and it was a very fast paced learning experience, and ultimately every person in the class achieved a grade A or higher, including myself. I was very proud. -
Finished compulsory education
This is the day that I had completely the madatory education and reached the school leaving age of 16. It was now time to make bold choices about my future! -
GCSE Results
This was the day for when the long awaited GCSE results were to arrive. I was of course apprehensive, as I had already decided to return to Shire Oak as a sixth form student, and so my results depended heavily upon that. I ended up with 13 GCSE's including 5 A's, 5 B's and 3 C's. I was very happy with this, and It meant that I could return to the school and go back in to education. -
Period: to
Sixth Form
During this period I was studying for my A levels at Shire Oak school. -
Finished Sixth Form
This was the day that I finished my A level studies. This time it was even scarier, a real look into the adult world. I felt reasonably prepared, and felt that the school had done all they could in giving me the support and guidance necessary. -
A level Results
This was an important day, because it determined whether or not i'd be going to university. Ultimately, I got 300 Ucas points out of the 240 that I needed, so I was thrilled. I achieved 2 B's and a D. My place at Derby University was confirmed to study Film and Video Production (BA Hons) -
Period: to
University of Derby
During this time I was studying for my degree in Film and Video Production Ba Hons. -
Enroled at University
The start of my degree in Film and Video Production. I was nervous, excited and scared. The university was very supportive and In terms of my social life, i lived with very supportive people. This, I feel, aided my education there and ensured that I could study enough -
Mental Health Diagnosis
During 2010 I was diagnosed with a chronic case of social anxiety disorder. It alienated me from everybody, caused me numerous panic attacks, and sent me into a depression. After seeking specialist therapy paid for by the university, for around 9 months, my symptoms improved dramatically, and although it can never be cured, I feel more confident now than I ever have before. Due to recieving free specialist help (funded by the universities ALF budget) my education could continue as normal. -
Finished my Degree
This is the day that I finished my degree and completed all of the necessary assignments. A couple of weeks later I found out that I achieved a 2:1 grade, I was extremely happy! -
Started my PGCE in ICT
Teaching is something that's always been in my mind, and so the choice to do a PGCE was always going to be an option. In terms of the subject, I knew that I loved computer based activities, including the video editing, special effects etc. aspects that I did during university. My plan was to do the course in 2013, however I saw that the course still needed applicants and so I decided to ask the question. I then started the following monday.
