Grammar school

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grammar school can refer to various types of schools in different English-speaking countries.

1 Origins
2 Australia
3 Canada
4 Hong Kong
5 United Kingdom
6 United States
7 See also

[edit] Origins

The original intent of grammar schools was to educate the young in the grammar of Latin and that of another European language. In the British schools, pupils were taught Greek in addition; in the United States the English language was taught.

[edit] Australia

In Australia, "grammar schools" are generally high-cost non-government protestant private schools. Those using the term "grammar" in their title are often the oldest protestant school in their area.

[edit] Canada

In Ontario, until 1870, a grammar school referred to a secondary school.

[edit] Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, secondary schools primarily offering traditional curriculum (instead of vocational subjects) are grammar schools.

[edit] United Kingdom

Main article: Grammar schools in the United Kingdom

By the late mediæval period in Britain there were many schools teaching Latin grammar. In England the Tudor King Edward VI reorganised these schools or instituted new ones so that there was a national system of "free grammar schools" that were in theory open to all and offered free tuition to those who could not afford to pay fees. The vast majority of poor children did not attend these schools since their labour was economically valuable to their families.

In the late Victorian period grammar schools were reorganised and their curriculum was modernised, although Latin was still taught.

Following the Education Act 1944 the Tripartite System was established, similar to the European tiered school system. This placed the grammar school as the place of education for the academically gifted (as determined by the eleven plus exam). Other children attended technical schools or secondary modern schools. The system became controversial in the post-war years. Critics condemned it as being elitist and defenders claimed that grammar schools allow pupils to obtain a good education through merit rather than through family income. In the mid-1960s the then Labour Government tried to restrict or abolish grammar schools by requiring local authorities to introduce comprehensive schools. Following this, some grammar schools became fully independent and charged fees, while still usually retaining "grammar school" in their title. However, many grammar schools continue to be state run.

The 11 plus exam has since been abolished in most parts of the UK (in favour of other equally controversial methods of "academic selection"^{[citation needed]}) but it remains in Northern Ireland and some English counties such as Kent, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Wiltshire and Lincolnshire and London boroughs such as Bromley and Redbridge, despite so far unsuccessful attempts by campaigners to have it abolished there too. Grammar schools are selective, typically taking the top 25% of those from the local catchment area. Some grammar schools in the United Kingdom can trace their history back to earlier than the 16th century.