Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Genetics & ecosystems (a2 only)
Ecology
Cells
Show all topics
Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
Show all topics
5
0
kacey randle
06/12/2025
Sociology
marketisation, globalisation, privatisation
675
•
6 Dec 2025
•
kacey randle
@kaceyrandle_ltvd
Ever wondered why schools compete for students like businesses compete... Show more
Think of marketisation as turning education into a shopping experience where schools compete for students like shops compete for customers. Since 1988, Conservative reforms introduced open enrolment, giving your parents much greater choice in where you attend school.
The government created a framework to make this competition work. Standardised testing and league tables let parents compare schools easily, whilst formula funding means schools get money based on pupil numbers - so they literally compete for you! OFSTED inspections added another layer of comparison, and new universities expanded choice beyond just primary and secondary education.
New Labour (1997-2010) turbocharged these changes with city academies for failing inner-city schools and specialist faith schools. They also introduced tuition fees at £1k per year (now feel grateful it wasn't £9k yet!). The Coalition government went even further with forced academisation, free schools, and the pupil premium for disadvantaged students.
Key Insight: League tables might show improved GCSE passes, but critics argue this creates a "parentocracy" - where only families with cultural capital can truly navigate the system effectively.
Your education is now shaped by what's happening in classrooms thousands of miles away. PISA and TIMSS international rankings compare UK students with peers globally - when we rank poorly in maths, suddenly there's a massive push for numeracy schemes!
The UK borrows educational ideas like a cultural magpie. Academies were inspired by American charter schools, whilst free schools copied Scandinavian models that topped international league tables. When Asian countries dominated science rankings, the government invested heavily in maths and science teacher training.
Globalisation also means more diverse classrooms. Increased immigration led to EAL (English as Additional Language) support, whilst multicultural curriculums now offer subjects like Arabic and Polish. However, critics argue we still suffer from "Little Englander-ism" - focusing too narrowly on traditional British perspectives.
The reality? British values education was introduced partly to prevent radicalisation, whilst our top universities attract international students, indirectly pushing up your tuition fees since overseas students pay much more.
Reality Check: Copying teaching methods from Finland sounds great, but what works in a small, homogeneous country might not translate to diverse UK classrooms.
Privatisation means transferring control from the state to private businesses - and it's happening in your school right now. Many schools now operate like private companies, with performance targets, marketing campaigns to attract students, and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) managing multiple schools for profit.
There are currently 738 academy trusts operating in the UK, with 150+ running multiple sites. Running a large MAT is basically like being CEO of a major company. These trusts can opt out of local authority control, hire educational consultants, and adopt business practices to maximise efficiency (and profit).
Private companies now heavily influence what you learn. Pearson operates exam boards across 70+ countries, whilst companies sponsor school equipment and even curriculum content. Your Google Classroom? That's privatisation in action - private tech companies providing educational services.
However, this focus on profit can be problematic. Some academies cut "unprofitable" subjects like modern foreign languages, hire unqualified teachers to save money, or prioritise marketable skills over holistic education. The result? Educational triage - schools focus resources on borderline students who might boost league table positions whilst neglecting others.
Bottom Line: While privatisation can bring business efficiency to schools, critics worry it prioritises profit over genuine educational progress.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
kacey randle
@kaceyrandle_ltvd
Ever wondered why schools compete for students like businesses compete for customers? The UK education system has dramatically changed over the past 30 years through marketisation, globalisation, and privatisation - transforming how you choose schools, what you study, and even... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Think of marketisation as turning education into a shopping experience where schools compete for students like shops compete for customers. Since 1988, Conservative reforms introduced open enrolment, giving your parents much greater choice in where you attend school.
The government created a framework to make this competition work. Standardised testing and league tables let parents compare schools easily, whilst formula funding means schools get money based on pupil numbers - so they literally compete for you! OFSTED inspections added another layer of comparison, and new universities expanded choice beyond just primary and secondary education.
New Labour (1997-2010) turbocharged these changes with city academies for failing inner-city schools and specialist faith schools. They also introduced tuition fees at £1k per year (now feel grateful it wasn't £9k yet!). The Coalition government went even further with forced academisation, free schools, and the pupil premium for disadvantaged students.
Key Insight: League tables might show improved GCSE passes, but critics argue this creates a "parentocracy" - where only families with cultural capital can truly navigate the system effectively.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Your education is now shaped by what's happening in classrooms thousands of miles away. PISA and TIMSS international rankings compare UK students with peers globally - when we rank poorly in maths, suddenly there's a massive push for numeracy schemes!
The UK borrows educational ideas like a cultural magpie. Academies were inspired by American charter schools, whilst free schools copied Scandinavian models that topped international league tables. When Asian countries dominated science rankings, the government invested heavily in maths and science teacher training.
Globalisation also means more diverse classrooms. Increased immigration led to EAL (English as Additional Language) support, whilst multicultural curriculums now offer subjects like Arabic and Polish. However, critics argue we still suffer from "Little Englander-ism" - focusing too narrowly on traditional British perspectives.
The reality? British values education was introduced partly to prevent radicalisation, whilst our top universities attract international students, indirectly pushing up your tuition fees since overseas students pay much more.
Reality Check: Copying teaching methods from Finland sounds great, but what works in a small, homogeneous country might not translate to diverse UK classrooms.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Privatisation means transferring control from the state to private businesses - and it's happening in your school right now. Many schools now operate like private companies, with performance targets, marketing campaigns to attract students, and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) managing multiple schools for profit.
There are currently 738 academy trusts operating in the UK, with 150+ running multiple sites. Running a large MAT is basically like being CEO of a major company. These trusts can opt out of local authority control, hire educational consultants, and adopt business practices to maximise efficiency (and profit).
Private companies now heavily influence what you learn. Pearson operates exam boards across 70+ countries, whilst companies sponsor school equipment and even curriculum content. Your Google Classroom? That's privatisation in action - private tech companies providing educational services.
However, this focus on profit can be problematic. Some academies cut "unprofitable" subjects like modern foreign languages, hire unqualified teachers to save money, or prioritise marketable skills over holistic education. The result? Educational triage - schools focus resources on borderline students who might boost league table positions whilst neglecting others.
Bottom Line: While privatisation can bring business efficiency to schools, critics worry it prioritises profit over genuine educational progress.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
5
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology