This episode explores how globalisation and digital technology are fundamentally reshaping the landscape of education, particularly in the context of AQA A Level Sociology. It examines how the increasing interconnectedness of societies impacts educational policies through international comparisons and the rise of global educational corporations. Simultaneously, the text discusses the transformative role of digital tools and platforms, from enhancing access to information to altering teaching methodologies. Crucially, the discussion highlights both the opportunities these trends present for learning and the significant challenges they pose, especially concerning the perpetuation or reduction of educational inequalities, such as the persistent digital divide. Finally, the text analyses these impacts through various sociological perspectives, including Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, the New Right, and Postmodernism, offering a comprehensive overview for evaluating their influence on educational systems.

This episode examines marketisation and privatisation within the education system, key concepts in AQA A-Level Sociology. It defines marketisation as the application of market principles like competition and consumer choice to state education, driven by New Right ideologies and implemented through policies such as league tables and formula funding. The source then explores the impacts of these policies, highlighting both the New Right view of increased standards and critical perspectives from sociologists like Stephen Ball, who argue they exacerbate inequality through practices such as 'cream-skimming' and 'educational triage'. Furthermore, the text defines privatisation as the transfer of educational assets and services from state control to private companies, discussing its various forms and criticisms related to profit motives and accountability. Finally, it considers the influence of globalisation on these trends and analyses different sociological perspectives on the effects of marketisation and privatisation, particularly their disproportionate benefits for the middle class.

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of UK educational policy and its impact on social inequality since 1944, particularly focusing on social class, gender, and ethnicity. It explains key historical periods, including the Tripartite System, the Comprehensive System, and the era of Marketisation following the 1988 Education Reform Act. The text also analyses policies introduced by New Labour and subsequent Coalition/Conservative governments, assessing their aims and actual effects on reducing or reproducing existing inequalities. Finally, it addresses policies specifically designed to reduce achievement gaps, discusses the privatisation and globalisation of education, and provides a framework for analysing how policies have predominantly reproduced social class inequality.