In the UK, a selective school choosing usually the most able 1525% of 11-year-olds on the basis of the eleven-plus examination. The oldest schools date back to mediaeval times, and were originally established to teach Latin. During the 1960s and 1970s many were reorganized, along with local secondary modern schools, and became comprehensive schools. The term is also used in the USA, but referring to an earlier level of schooling - the first six to eight grades of elementary education.
Grammar school can refer to various types of schools in different English-speaking countries.
Origins
The original intent of grammar schools was to educate the young in the grammar of Latin and that of another European language.
Australia
In Australia, "grammar schools" are generally high-cost non-government protestant private schools.
Canada
In Ontario, until 1870, a grammar school referred to a secondary school.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, secondary schools primarily offering traditional curriculum (instead of vocational subjects) are grammar schools.
United Kingdom
By the late mediæval period in Britain there were many schools teaching Latin grammar. In England the Tudor King Edward VI reorganised these schools or instituted new ones so that there was a national system of "free grammar schools" that were in theory open to all and offered free tuition to those who could not afford to pay fees.
In the late Victorian period grammar schools were reorganised and their curriculum was modernised, although Latin was still taught.
Following the Education Act 1944 the Tripartite System was established, similar to the European tiered school system. Other children attended technical schools or secondary modern schools. In the mid-1960s the then Labour Government tried to restrict or abolish grammar schools by requiring local authorities to introduce comprehensive schools. Following this, some grammar schools became fully independent and charged fees, while still usually retaining "grammar school" in their title.
United States
In the United States, the term has often been used as a synonym for elementary school, although this usage is now at least somewhat in decline.
User Comments Add a comment…