How Did The Education System Come Into Being For The Masses?

Even as late as the late 19th century not many people needed to be educated or to be able to read and write because the nature of most employment did not require it.

Therefore it was seen as up to the individual to educate themselves and not the responsibility of the state. Grammar schools, many founded under the rule of Edward VI and public schools such as Eton were intended for the poor but quickly adopted for the rich and upper classes.

It was not until the start of the 19th century that a national system of education was even considered and the governments of the day were reluctant to implement this until the Education Act of 1870 was introduced.  This obliged all local authorities to provide compulsory education for all.

In 1944 the Education Act made primary and secondary education free for all and also set up grammar and secondary modern schools for children over 11 years of age.