In 1880, education for children ages 5–10 was made compulsory. In 1891, elementary education fees were not required. Over the final years of the 19th century, school leaving age was increased, and in 1899, it was age 12. Also by the end of the 19th century, education for children with disabilities, specifically blind, deaf, and physically-impaired children, was mandated. Because children were still laboring outside of the home, attendance among children was not at 100%.
At the start of the 20th century, the government enacted the 1902 Education Act, which gave local councils jurisdiction over state primary schools and local secondary schools, although secondary schools were not required to be free. The Prime Minister at the time, Arthur Balfour, believed that to keep Britain at the top of world trade and technology markets, it was necessary to educate future workers. The act raised the leaving age to 14, but reinforced class distinctions in the British educational system, as it mandated only elementary education; wealthy students were able to continue their studies at secondary school. Between 1906 and 1907, schools became the site of increasing governmental intervention into public life via providing meals to students and healthcare screenings for students to catch childhood diseases early. These policies could also be seen as the government working to ensure the health and vitality of future workers.
From 1923–1939, little legislation regarding education was passed, but many reports were done about what should be taught in schools to what pupils, how schools could be improved (ways to support “gifted” and learning disabled students, smaller class sizes, libraries, places to play), and how schools should be split into age groups (primary, junior, senior).
In 1924, the labour government tried to raise the leaving age to 15 and allocate more free spaces in secondary schools, but they were voted out of Parliament before they could.
Bibliography
Gillard, D. “Chapter 8: 1923-1939: From Hadow to Spens.” Education in England: A History, www.educationengland.org.uk/history, accessed 16 September 2020.
“How we were taught.” The National Archives, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/how-we-were-taught/#:~:text=The%20early%2020th%20century%20saw,councils%20for%20the%20first%20time, accessed 15 September 2020.
“The 1870 Education Act.” UK Parliament. https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/livinglearning/school/overview/1870educationact/, accessed 16 September 2020.