In 1988, the Labour Government abolished Grant Maintained schools and introduced three new categories of school: community, voluntary, and foundation. Reports findings of a study that gathered the perceptions of heads, governors, and senior staff about admission issues in 11 foundation schools after their first full term. (26 references)…

Scores of 77 entering British nursing students on a math diagnostic test were compared to their math grades on General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. Results suggest that Advanced-level math is a good predictor of future math performance. Although GCSE grade C is an entry standard for nursing, it does not ensure math competence.…

Objective: To review the principles underlying medical student selection from the perspective of the imperatives of widening access policies. Setting: A recent government initiative has increased the number of medical school places in Great Britain. A priority is to widen access to sections of the community hitherto inadequately represented in…

Post-experience education is an important branch of adult education, but it must not obscure the greater and more general purposes of adult education to promote social advancement and individual creativity. (Author/AG)

Data from a longitudinal study of a national sample of boys born in 1946 is used to test Turner's model of "sponsored" social mobility in Britain. Turner suggested that, through selection for one of several forms of secondary education, individuals are sorted into different strata that largely determine their level of attainment in later…

Provides descriptions of physics departments of universities, colleges, and polytechnics in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For each institution, entry requirements, course structure, and main branches of research are included among information provided. (CP)

Author discusses how far the recent panic about university applications was justified. (Editor)

Considers forecasts of A-Level results made by teachers for candidates for a Management Sciences university course. The forecasting mechanism is found to be accurate but some conclusions which are important for university selection can be made. (Author)

Two programs of social work education are discussed for their usefulness in this country. One is designed for students lacking the prerequisite credentials for admission. The second is designed for women lacking conventional time availability due to child-rearing responsibilities. (Editor/KE)

Three studies which examine the academic achievement of secondary students in British comprehensive schools as compared to their achievement in selective schools are critiqued. Research problems found in each of the studies are examined. (RM)

An examination of the technical and theoretical strengths and weaknesses of three British research studies on the effectiveness of selective and nonselective schooling shows that the reorganization of British schools has not produced the lowering of educational standards that politically motivated groups would like people to believe. (RM)

A modified admissions process is described that would reduce total costs without any deterioration in effectiveness. The changes are minor but may be considered revolutionary since the dominant role of A-level grades and the generally mechanical function of selectors would be made much more explicit. (LBH)

Papers presented on social work education in Britain include: Current developments in social work education (P.H. Young); selection of students (M. Elizabeth Edwards); the management of curriculum development (J. Snelling); the management of a social work department (M.J. McAllister); current issues and developments in social work training (D.C.G.…

Access to higher education in Great Britain has been restricted. The structure of British secondary education limits the number of potential college applicants. In order to maintain its funding and undergraduate enrollment levels, Oxford must admit more students from state-run schools. (AM)

Using data sets from several American and British studies, this study compares the process of status attainment in the U.S. and Great Britain. The overall social mobility from generation to generation is very similar in both countries, as are the relative effects of social origin and individual ability on educational attainment and social status.…