Grammar school facts for kids
A grammar school is a special type of school that has a long history in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. Originally, these schools taught mostly Latin. Over time, they became more focused on academic subjects for older students, like a secondary school.
In the past, grammar schools mainly taught Latin, which was important for church work and higher learning. Later, their lessons grew to include Ancient Greek, English, other European languages, natural sciences, mathematics, history, geography, and art. During the Victorian era, grammar schools in England and Wales were set up to provide secondary education. Similar schools were also started in other countries that were once part of the British Empire.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, grammar schools were part of a system in England and Wales where students were chosen based on their academic ability. This system still exists in Northern Ireland. Later, many areas changed to comprehensive schools, which accept all students regardless of their academic scores. Some grammar schools then became private schools that charge fees. Others either closed or became comprehensive schools themselves. Today, some state grammar schools still exist in England and Northern Ireland. They choose students based on their academic skills and are often called "selective" schools.
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History of Grammar Schools
Early Beginnings
Even though the name "grammar school" became common later, the first schools like these appeared around the 6th century. Some very old examples include the King's School, Canterbury (started in 597) and St Peter's School, York (started in 627).
These early schools were usually connected to cathedrals and monasteries. They taught Latin to young people who wanted to become priests or monks. Sometimes, they also taught music, poetry, astronomy, and law, which were useful for religious work.
When the first ancient universities were founded in the late 1100s, grammar schools became a way for students to prepare for university. Latin was seen as the basic subject needed for higher education. Students usually stayed in grammar schools until they were about 14 years old. After that, they might go to a university or join the church for more studies.
Some of the first grammar schools that were not directly controlled by the church were Winchester College (1382) and Eton College (1440). These were boarding schools, meaning students lived there. They prepared students for Oxford University and Cambridge University.
Grammar Schools in Early Modern Times
During the English Reformation in the 1500s, many church schools closed. New schools were then started using money from the closing of monasteries. For example, the oldest schools in Wales, like Christ College, Brecon (1541), were built on old monastery sites.
King Edward VI helped start many grammar schools during his rule. Some were also founded by Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I. King James I started "Royal Schools" in Ulster, Northern Ireland. In theory, these schools were open to everyone and offered free lessons to those who couldn't pay. However, few poor children attended because their families needed them to work.
In Scotland, schools like the High School of Glasgow (1124) and the Grammar School of the Church of Edinburgh (1128) came under the control of town councils instead of the church. Many schools started teaching Greek and sometimes Hebrew, especially after the Reformation emphasized studying the Bible.
In the 1500s and 1600s, rich people and groups often started grammar schools as a way to help their communities. They would set up funds to pay a teacher to teach local boys Latin and Greek for free. Many schools still remember these founders with special "Founder's Day" events.
A typical school day was very long, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a break for lunch. Most of the day was spent learning Latin by repeating things over and over. Teachers sometimes even punished students for speaking English to make them fluent in Latin. Younger boys learned Latin words and how to build sentences. By age 14, they knew a lot about famous Latin writers and plays. Other skills, like math and handwriting, were taught quickly or by special visiting teachers.
Changes in the 18th and 19th Centuries
By the 1700s, fewer people wanted to learn Latin and Greek. A new group of business people needed modern languages and business skills. Most grammar schools started in the 1700s also taught math and English. In Scotland, town councils updated their school lessons, so Scottish schools no longer fit the old "grammar school" idea, even if some kept the name.
In England, middle-class families in cities wanted schools to teach more practical subjects. School leaders often agreed to charge fees for these new students. But the original rules of the schools often said they had to teach Latin and Greek for free. This led to disagreements. A famous court case in 1805 about Leeds Grammar School decided that schools couldn't completely change their purpose from teaching classical languages. This ruling made it hard for grammar schools to adapt, and many seemed to be struggling. However, some grammar schools in northern England and South Wales continued to provide advanced education for young men who wanted to become church leaders without going to university.
Victorian-Era Reforms
The 1800s brought many changes to grammar schools. The Endowed Schools Act 1869 was a big step. Grammar schools were changed into academic secondary schools that taught a mix of subjects, including science and literature, while still sometimes keeping classical studies.
The Grammar Schools Act of 1840 allowed schools to use their money for subjects other than classical languages, but the head teacher still had to agree. Many schools also started to copy the teaching style of famous schools like Rugby School. New boarding schools, like Marlborough College (1843), also opened, offering a wider range of subjects. The first schools for girls that aimed for university entrance were North London Collegiate School (1850) and Cheltenham Ladies' College (from 1858).
A government report in 1869 looked at 782 grammar schools. It found that schools were not located where most people lived, and the quality of education varied a lot. There were also very few schools for girls. This led to the Endowed Schools Act of 1869, which gave a special commission a lot of power to change how these schools used their money. Schools that were set up to offer free classical lessons to boys were changed into schools that charged fees (with some scholarships) and taught many subjects to boys or girls.
In the late Victorian era, there was a strong belief in improving oneself through education. Many new schools tried to be like the famous public schools, copying their lessons and goals. Some of these new schools, and older ones, kept the name "grammar school." Girls' grammar schools were often called "high schools."
By 1907, all secondary schools that received government money had to offer at least 25% of their places as free scholarships for students from elementary schools. This helped grammar schools become an important part of the education system in England and Wales before 1944.
The Tripartite System (1944-1970s)
The Education Act 1944 created the first nationwide system of state-funded secondary education in England and Wales. This system, called the Tripartite System, had three types of schools. One type was the grammar school, which aimed to provide an academic education. These schools were for the most academically able students, usually about 25% of all students, chosen by an exam called the 11-plus.
There were two main kinds of grammar schools under this system:
- State-maintained grammar schools: These were fully funded by the government. In 1964, there were almost 1,300 of them in England and Wales. Many were new or built after the Victorian period.
- Direct-grant grammar schools: There were 179 of these. They took some students from the state system for free and others whose parents paid fees. They had more freedom from local authorities. Famous examples include Manchester Grammar School.
Grammar school students had the best opportunities in the state system. They took important exams like the General Certificate of Education (GCE) at O-level and A-level. Students from grammar schools and private schools were usually the only ones who went to universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
However, there were problems with the 11-plus exam. It often meant that students from poorer families ended up in secondary modern schools, while students from wealthier families went to grammar schools. Because of these issues, the Tripartite System was mostly ended in England and Wales between 1965 and 1976. Most state grammar schools either merged with other local schools to form comprehensive schools or closed down.
Direct-grant grammar schools had to choose: either become comprehensive schools under local control or become private schools funded entirely by fees. Many chose to become private schools. Some of these schools still use "grammar" in their name but now charge fees for most students. They usually choose students through an entrance exam.
By the end of the 1980s, most grammar schools in England and all in Wales had closed or changed. Scotland also stopped choosing students for state-funded schools. Today, some comprehensive schools still use the name "grammar" even though they don't select students based on academic ability. However, some do have selection processes if they have too many applicants. In a few areas, like Kent, the 11-plus exam still exists to decide if students go to a grammar school or a secondary modern school.
Current British Grammar Schools
Today, when people say "grammar school," they usually mean one of the 163 remaining fully selective state-funded schools in England or the 69 in Northern Ireland. Groups like the National Grammar Schools Association support these schools, while others like Comprehensive Future are against them. A study by University College London found that grammar school students in the UK don't gain significant social or emotional benefits over similar students in non-selective schools by age 14.
England
England has a long history of grammar schools. Their lessons vary but generally include English, math, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, art, music, drama, design and technology, history, philosophy, civics/citizenship, classical education, religious education, physical education, and several foreign languages. Most English grammar schools follow the National Curriculum and take the same national exams as other state schools.
In 1998, a law allowed local communities to ask for a vote to end selection at grammar schools. Petitions were started in several areas, but only one, for Ripon Grammar School in 2000, got enough signatures to trigger a vote. Parents there voted against changing the school by a 2-to-1 margin.
There are 163 grammar schools left in England out of about 3,000 state secondary schools. Only a few areas still have a formal grammar school system like the old Tripartite System. In these places, the eleven plus exam is used to identify about 25% of children who are considered suitable for grammar education. If a grammar school has too many qualified students, they use other rules to offer places, like whether a student has siblings at the school, how far away they live, or their faith. Such systems are found in Buckinghamshire, parts of Warwickshire, Salisbury in Wiltshire, most of Lincolnshire, Kent, Reading, and Medway. In cities, Trafford and most of Wirral have selective schools.
In other areas, grammar schools exist as highly selective schools in counties that are otherwise comprehensive. For example, in some outer parts of London, these schools are very popular and choose students based on their test scores. In some areas, 10-15% of 11-year-olds might go to grammar schools (like in Gloucestershire), but in others, it's as low as 2%. These highly selective schools often do very well in performance rankings.
Until recently, both main political parties in the UK were against expanding grammar schools. However, in September 2016, Prime Minister Theresa May changed the policy, allowing existing grammar schools to expand and new ones to be set up. The Labour and Liberal Democrat parties are still against any expansion.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the grammar school system still exists. Many students take academic selection exams, similar to the 11-plus. Since 1989, these schools have had to accept students up to their full capacity. By 2006, the 69 grammar schools took 42% of students moving to secondary school.
The 11-plus exam has been a topic of debate for a long time. Some political parties want to keep grammar schools as they are, with academic selection at age 11. Others want to get rid of the 11-plus.
The last government-run 11-plus exam was in 2008. However, the Northern Ireland Assembly has not agreed on a new system for secondary school entry. So, grammar schools have created their own tests. The practice of selection continues in many schools.
Grammar Schools in Other Countries
Grammar schools were also started in various British territories around the world. Since these places became independent, their schools have developed in different ways.
Australia
In the mid-1800s, private schools were set up in Australia so that wealthy families didn't have to send their sons to schools in Britain. These schools were inspired by English public schools and often called themselves "grammar schools." Examples include Launceston Grammar School (1846) and Melbourne Grammar School (1858).
Most of the grammar schools started in the 1800s were connected to the Anglican Church of Australia, except for Sydney Grammar School (1857) and those in Queensland. In Queensland, a law in 1860 helped start non-religious grammar schools. Ten were founded, and eight still exist today, including Brisbane Grammar School and Brisbane Girls' Grammar School (1875), which was one of the first girls' grammar schools in Australia.
Today, in Australia, "grammar schools" are generally expensive private schools. The closest thing to modern English grammar schools in Australia are "selective schools," which are public schools that choose students based on academic ability and do not charge tuition fees. New South Wales, for example, has 19 such selective public schools.
Canada
Grammar schools provided secondary education in Ontario, Canada, until 1871. The first grammar school, Kingston Grammar School, was set up in 1795. By 1807, there was support for one grammar school teacher in each district.
However, these schools were not always good enough to prepare students for university. So, Sir John Colborne founded Upper Canada College as a better grammar school. By 1861, there were 86 grammar schools, and they became more independent from the Church of England and started to admit girls. But they were not well supervised, often lacked money, and their quality varied.
In 1871, grammar schools were renamed "secondary schools" to reflect the broader lessons they offered. Schools that still focused on classical studies were given extra money and called "collegiate institutes." This system was also used in other Canadian provinces.
Hong Kong
Schools in Hong Kong today are similar to the post-war British grammar system. They focus on a traditional academic curriculum rather than vocational (job-training) subjects.
Ireland
Education in the Republic of Ireland has traditionally been linked to different Christian religions. Grammar schools, similar to those in Great Britain, were set up for members of the Church of Ireland before 1871. Some of these schools still exist today as private schools, mostly for Protestant students. They often charge fees and offer boarding, especially because the Protestant population is spread out in Ireland. Examples include Bandon Grammar School and Drogheda Grammar School. Many other former fee-paying schools were absorbed into larger state-funded community schools after universal secondary education was introduced in 1967.
Malaysia
Malaysia has several schools that are like grammar schools, most of which were started when the country was under British rule. They are usually not called "grammar schools" but also choose students based on their abilities. Some well-known examples are the Penang Free School, the Victoria Institution (Kuala Lumpur), and St George's Institution (Taiping).
Before the 1970s, when Malay became the main language taught, many of these selective schools were known for providing excellent English-language education. They produced many famous people, including former Prime Ministers of Malaysia.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, a few schools are named "grammar schools." They follow the academic and cultural traditions from the United Kingdom. Grammar schools were only established in Auckland and focused on academics and traditional British sports. Originally, they used entrance tests to select academic students from all over New Zealand.
Today, all grammar schools in New Zealand are non-selective state schools. This means they don't choose students based on academic ability. However, they ask for school donations to help with their funding from the government. The first grammar school in New Zealand, Auckland Grammar School, was established in 1850. Later, Auckland Girls' Grammar School (1888) and Mount Albert Grammar School (1922) were also founded. Takapuna Grammar School (1927) was the first co-educational grammar school in New Zealand, meaning it accepted both boys and girls.
Singapore
In Singapore, the term "grammar school" was used by the English community since 1819. The British set up churches and elite grammar schools for the upper class. At first, these schools were separated by race.
Later, these schools opened to children from mixed English and local families, and to children of wealthy Chinese merchant families. These schools were run like those in England and taught by English teachers. The oldest of these, Raffles Institution, was founded in 1823 by Sir Stamford Raffles. A girls' school, which later became Raffles Girls' School, was started in 1844.
When Singapore became independent from the United Kingdom, the government started publicly funded schools based on the existing grammar school system. Since the 1960s, these schools aimed to provide a high-quality education to the top 10% of students, regardless of their family's wealth. These schools were influenced by the US education system and were called "high schools" instead of "grammar schools." Other state schools were called "secondary schools." High schools include Dunman High School and Nanyang Girls' High School. These schools often recruit talented students from around the world.
The Ministry of Education used to publish annual school rankings, but they stopped because of concerns about too much academic pressure on students. After the 1990s, all schools became part of a single national system. However, the elite schools still stand out by calling themselves "independent" or "autonomous."
United States
Grammar schools, similar to the English model, were founded in the colonial period of what is now the United States. The first was the Boston Latin School, founded in 1635.
In 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law requiring any town with at least 100 households to set up a grammar school. Other New England colonies followed with similar laws. These schools initially taught young men classical languages to prepare them for university. However, by the mid-1700s, many started teaching more practical subjects. They became less popular due to competition from other schools called "academies" that focused more on practical skills.
Later, the name "grammar school" was used for public schools for children aged 10 to 14, after a primary stage for younger children. Around 1900, these different school types gradually combined to form elementary schools, which were also sometimes called "grammar schools."
A similar idea to today's English grammar school in the United States is the magnet school. These are state-funded secondary schools that can select students from their district based on academic skills.
See also
In Spanish: Grammar school para niños
