Marketisation and Privatisation in Education

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.