The spelling of the word "secondary modern" is straightforward once you understand its phonetic transcription. The word has four syllables: /ˈsɛkəndəri ˈmɒdən/. The stress falls on the first syllable, which is pronounced with a short "e" sound. The following syllables are pronounced with a short "o" sound and the letter "a" is silent. "Secondary modern" refers to a type of school in the UK that provides secondary education for children who are not suited to academic studies.
Secondary modern refers to a type of school that originated in the United Kingdom during the mid-20th century as part of the tripartite system of education. Secondary modern schools were established to cater to students who did not pass the eleven-plus exam, a standardized test that determined entry into grammar schools, which provided more academically oriented education.
These schools focused on providing a more vocational and practical education, preparing students for work rather than higher education. The curriculum of secondary modern schools placed emphasis on subjects such as manual skills, technical training, and basic academic subjects like English and mathematics.
Secondary modern schools were often perceived as providing a less prestigious education compared to grammar schools, as they were seen as institutions for students who were not academically gifted. This perception led to criticism of the tripartite system, as critics argued that it created disparities and perpetuated social inequality.
The secondary modern system gradually declined in the UK following educational reforms in the 1970s that aimed to replace the tripartite system with comprehensive schools. Today, secondary modern schools are rare, with most schools in the UK adopting a comprehensive approach where students of all abilities are educated in the same institution.
Overall, "secondary modern" refers to a specific type of school that provided a vocational-oriented education to students who did not pass the eleven-plus exam, serving as an alternative to grammar schools in the UK.
The term "secondary modern" is derived from the combination of two words: "secondary" and "modern".
The word "secondary" comes from the Latin word "secundarius", which means "subordinate" or "following". In education, it refers to the level of schooling that comes after primary education.
The word "modern" comes from the Latin word "modernus", which means "new" or "recent". It refers to something that is characteristic of the present or current time.
When combined, "secondary modern" is used to describe a type of secondary education introduced in the United Kingdom after the Education Act of 1944. These schools were designed for students who did not pass the 11+ examination, which determined entry into grammar schools. The term "modern" was used to differentiate these schools from grammar schools, which were considered more academically focused and associated with more traditional education methods.