Educational Reforms That Led to 11 Plus Introduction

The 11 Plus exam has a rich history rooted in a series of educational reforms to create a more equitable and effective schooling structure. 

To understand how the 11 Plus exam came into being, we must trace the broader educational reforms and changes that paved the way for its introduction in the mid-20th century.

What Are the Educational Reforms That Led to the 11 Plus?

The Early 20th Century Educational Landscape

In the early 20th century, education was highly fragmented and largely inaccessible to the working class. 

Key reforms and developments that contributed to the creation and evolution of the 11 Plus are as follows:

Elementary Education Act 1870 (Forster Act)

• Established the framework for compulsory elementary education in England and Wales.
• Marked the beginning of state involvement in education, setting the stage for later reforms to expand access to schooling.

Education Act 1902 (Balfour Act)

• Reorganised the education structure, giving local authorities responsibility for both elementary and secondary education.
• Integrated secondary education into the public system, paving the way for a more unified approach to schooling.

Hadow Reports (1923-1933)

• A series of reports by the Consultative Committee of the Board of Education recommending significant changes to the structure and curriculum of elementary and secondary education.
• Advocated for separating primary and secondary education at age 11, influencing the eventual establishment of the 11 Plus exam.

Spens Report (1938)

• Investigated secondary education in England and Wales, recommending a tripartite system of grammar, technical, and secondary-modern schools.
• Laid the intellectual groundwork for the tripartite system later formalised in the 1944 Education Act.

Norwood Report (1943)

• Examined the curriculum and examination systems in secondary schools.
• Emphasised the need for different types of secondary education to cater to diverse talents and abilities, supporting the case for a selective examination like the 11 Plus.

A Turning Point: The 1944 Education Act

The most significant reform that set the stage for the 11 Plus exam happened after World War II. It was the Education Act of 1944, also known as the Butler Act, named after Richard Austen Butler, the then President of the Board of Education and a key figure in the introduction of the 11 Plus in the UK. 

This landmark legislation aimed to overhaul the British education system to make it more inclusive and meritocratic.

Key Provisions of the 1944 Education Act

Introduction of Free Secondary Education: One of the Act’s most transformative elements was the introduction of free secondary education for all children. This was a major step towards educational equality, ensuring that children from all socioeconomic backgrounds had access to secondary schooling.

Tripartite System: The Act established the tripartite system, categorising secondary education into three types of schools:

• Grammar Schools: For academically inclined students.
• Technical Schools: For those with an aptitude for technical and scientific subjects.
• Secondary Modern Schools: For the majority of children, focusing on practical skills and general education.

The 11 Plus Exam: To determine which type of secondary school a child would attend, the 11 Plus exam was introduced. This exam, taken at the age of 11, assessed students’ abilities in subjects like English, arithmetic, and reasoning. The results would then determine the most suitable educational path for each student.

Aims of the 11 Plus Exam

The primary aim of the 11 Plus exam was to promote a meritocratic approach to education. By assessing students’ academic abilities objectively, the exam sought to place children in schools that best matched their skills and potential. 

This system was intended to break down class barriers and provide equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background.

Further Educational Reforms on the 11 Plus Exam

Initially, the 11 Plus was widely accepted and implemented across England and Wales. However, over time, the system faced controversies and underwent several significant changes.

Post-1944 Reforms Affecting the 11 Plus

Comprehensive School Movement (1960s-1970s)

• Advocated for a single, non-selective type of secondary school to replace the tripartite system.
• This led to the phasing out of the 11 Plus exam in many areas, promoting a more inclusive approach to secondary education.

Circular 10/65 (1965)

• Issued by the Labour government, this policy document encouraged local education authorities to move towards comprehensive education.
• Accelerated the decline of the 11 Plus exam and the tripartite system, encouraging the adoption of comprehensive schools.

Education Reform Act 1988

• Introduced significant changes to the education system, including the National Curriculum and standardised testing at various stages.
• Although not directly related to the 11 Plus, it reflected ongoing efforts to standardise and improve educational assessment and accountability.

Contemporary Context

Ongoing Reforms and Policies

• Some areas retain grammar schools and the 11 Plus exam (e.g., Kent, Buckinghamshire, Northern Ireland).
• Periodic reviews and debates on the relevance and fairness of the 11 Plus continue.

Final Note

The introduction of the 11 Plus exam resulted from a series of educational reforms aimed at creating a more equitable and efficient system. Each step was influenced by Britain’s evolving social, economic, and political landscape. 

Whilst the 11 Plus has been both lauded and criticised, its creation was undeniably a pivotal moment in the history of British education.