Education Worksheet 1

Task 1 Why education?

Working in small groups, consider the following questions:

· What is the purpose of primary education in the UK?

· Does this differ for secondary, further and higher education? What similarities/differences exist in different sectors of the education system?

· Why do you think the government are seeking to increase participation in education? What are the pros and cons of this policy?

Task 2 Functionalist Approach

Using your own experience of the education system, consider the functionalist approach.

· What problems can you see with this approach?

Task 3 Marxist Approach

Bowles and Gintis' famous study took place nearly 30 years ago. Since then, in the UK, we have seen a major shift in employment, away from manufacturing and heavy industry, and into the service sector, weakening the tradition of young men following their fathers into mining, shipbuilding etc. We have also seen a major expansion in further and higher education - this class would not have existed in 1976!

· Is the Marxist approach obsolete, or is it more relevant than ever?

· Does social class still determine educational outcomes, if it ever did?