Sociology · Year 13

Active learning ideas

The Role and Functions of Education

This topic challenges pupils to look at their own daily experience of school through a new, critical lens, asking what purpose it truly serves in society.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA A-Level Sociology: Education with Theory and Methods

• 30–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Philosophical Chairs
• 45 min · Small Groups

Perspective Pitch

In small groups, pupils are assigned a perspective (Functionalist, Marxist, or New Right). They must prepare a short pitch to a fictional 'Secretary of State for Education' arguing why their perspective provides the best model for organising the British education system.

Analyse the functionalist view that education performs positive functions for society.

Facilitation Tip

Provide groups with prompt cards outlining key thinkers, concepts, and potential policies for their assigned perspective.

What to look for

An A-Level style essay question, such as 'Assess the view that the main role of the education system is to serve the needs of the economy.' Pupils must structure an argument using multiple perspectives.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Philosophical Chairs
• 30 min · Pairs

Hidden Curriculum Hunt

Pupils analyse their own school's prospectus, website, or code of conduct to identify examples of the 'hidden curriculum' in action. They should consider how rules, routines, and school values might reinforce particular social norms or power structures.

Explain how Marxists see the education system as reproducing class inequality.

Facilitation Tip

Encourage pupils to think beyond obvious rules and consider things like uniform policies, subject hierarchies, and reward systems.

What to look for

A concept grid where pupils fill in the key ideas, key thinkers, strengths, and weaknesses for each of the three main perspectives.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Philosophical Chairs
• 60 min · Whole Class

Theory on Trial

Set up a mock trial where one theory (e.g., Marxism) is 'on trial' for its explanation of education. Assign roles: prosecution (presenting criticisms), defence (presenting supporting evidence), witnesses (key sociologists), and a jury (the rest of the class) to deliver a verdict.

Evaluate the New Right perspective on the relationship between education and the economy.

Facilitation Tip

This works best as a consolidation activity once all three perspectives have been taught.

What to look for

Pupils use a 'confidence tracker' to rate their understanding of each key concept (e.g., meritocracy, hidden curriculum) on a scale of 1-5 before and after the topic.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin with Functionalism as it often aligns with the common-sense view of schooling. Then, introduce Marxism as a direct critique, focusing on the idea of hidden or ulterior motives. Finally, present the New Right as a political and economic alternative that critiques the state's management of education. Use comparative activities, such as creating a large summary table on the board, to help pupils track the similarities and differences between the perspectives.

By the end of this topic, pupils will be able to confidently explain, compare, and critically evaluate the major sociological theories on the role of education.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Functionalism means education works perfectly for everyone.

  Functionalists recognise that the system may not be perfect, but they argue its overall function is positive and necessary for social stability and cohesion. They focus on the positive contributions the institution of education makes to society as a whole, rather than the experiences of every individual within it.

• Marxists believe teachers are consciously trying to create a subservient workforce.

  Marxist analysis focuses on the education system as a structure. It argues that the system itself, through the hidden curriculum and its organisation, reproduces class inequality, regardless of the individual intentions of well-meaning teachers. The effect is systemic, not necessarily a conscious conspiracy by educators.

• The New Right and Functionalism are the same because they both see education as linked to the economy.

  While both perspectives link education and the economy, they differ significantly. Functionalists see the state-run education system as broadly successful in providing skills. The New Right is highly critical of the state system, arguing it is inefficient and fails to prepare pupils adequately. They advocate for market principles like competition and parental choice to drive up standards.

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Methods used in this brief

• Philosophical Chairs