Education | AQA A Level Sociology - New Right on Education

The perspectives of the New Right on Education are explored in this topic video, including key examples of the application of their views in education policy. Mark your practice AQA A-Level Sociology answers using Examiner AI: https://ai.tutor2u.net/examiner/marking-assistants/sociology Check how every AQA A-Level Sociology topic has been examined: https://sims.tutor2u.net/sociology/alevel/aqatopictracker SUMMARY This video by provides a concise overview of the New Right perspective on education. It notes that while the New Right is more of a political ideology influenced by neoliberal economics than a strict sociological theory, it shares traditional views with functionalism. Specifically, it agrees that education should promote social solidarity, shared heritage, Christian values, and specialist vocational skills. However, the core New Right philosophy advocates applying market principles—namely choice and competition—to education to improve standards. Rather than relying on local education authorities to assign schools, the New Right argues that schools should compete for students. Sociologists Chubb and Moe even suggested a voucher system to maximize parental choice. To achieve this marketization, the video explains that schools require financial independence, open enrollment, and the ability to foster business partnerships. The practical framework for this ideology began with the Education Reform Act of 1988. This landmark legislation introduced the National Curriculum and standardized testing to enable easy comparison between schools. It also brought in "formula funding," meaning school budgets became directly tied to student enrollment numbers, incentivizing schools to attract families through better performance. These changes were later reinforced by Ofsted inspection reports and school league tables. While these market-driven policies have dominated UK education for decades—manifesting today in standardized testing, expanding education markets, and privatization via academies and free schools—critics point out significant flaws. Sociological research indicates that marketization often favors the middle class, who possess the social and cultural capital to navigate complex admission systems. This creates "parental choosers" divided by class, ultimately leaving disadvantaged local families behind while high-performing schools subtly select wealthier students. #sociology #aqasociology #education #alevelsociology #alevels #tutor2usociology #sociologyrevision