Timeline for Schools

Here is a list of some of the key events that shaped the schools and education systems in the 20th century

1880        Attending school was made compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 10. Many children lived in very poor conditions. They would have to work from a young age to help support their family. Many factories and shops employed young children.

1889        The school leaving age is raised to 12. School hours were arranged so that children could attend and continue to hold down a job.

1891        Board schools were made free. This helped the poorest of families to send their children to school. Not all families wanted their children to go to school. They needed them to help around the house or bring in a wage.

1906        Schools given permission to offer cheap nutritional meals. There was much concern about the health of the nation. Many children were sometimes too hungry to learn at school and were badly undernourished. By providing nutritional meals, schools were able to help improve the health of children.

1918        The school leaving age raised to 14.

1939        Less than 50% of local authorities not providing school meals. Not all local authorities were able to provide school meals for pupils. Some had to go home for their lunch.

1944        Leaving age raised to 15.

1944        Introduction of 11+ examinations. Pupils are tested at 11 years old, and offered a place at grammar school, or secondary modern and technical schools, based on ability.

1946        1/3 of a pint of milk is made available free to all pupils under the age of 18. There was still concern about the physical health of children, so the government brought in free milk, to help strengthen teeth and bones.

More facts

1971        Free school milk ends for children over the age of 7. The government needed to save money and abolished free milk prompting the playground chant "Maggie Thatcher - the Milk Snatcher!'

1981        School meals nutritional standards abolished. Schools were allowed to offer meals other than those laid down by the nutritional requirements which came in 1906. Fried food and processed ingredients became the norm in many schools.

1986        Corporal punishment ends in local authorityschools. Teachers are no longer permitted to use physical force when disciplining a child.

1998        Corporal punishment ends in private schools.

2004        TV chef Jamie Oliver campaigns for healthy school dinners.