secondary modern school: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical, Formal (when discussing education policy), sometimes Pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “secondary modern school” mean?
A type of state-funded secondary school in England and Wales (historically, 1944–1970s) for children who did not pass the 11-plus exam to enter a grammar school, offering a non-academic, practical education.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of state-funded secondary school in England and Wales (historically, 1944–1970s) for children who did not pass the 11-plus exam to enter a grammar school, offering a non-academic, practical education.
A term now used historically or with specific reference to the tripartite education system, often to highlight social class divisions in 20th-century British education. It can metaphorically refer to anything perceived as second-rate or non-elite.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Exclusively a British historical term. The US had no direct equivalent; the closest concept would be a 'general track' or 'vocational high school' within a comprehensive system, but the social and selection context is entirely different.
Connotations
In the UK, strongly associated with the post-war education system, social class, and the 11-plus exam. Can carry connotations of outdated policy, limited opportunity, or educational inequality.
Frequency
Virtually never used in modern US English. In UK English, used in historical, sociological, or political discourse, but not for describing current schools.
Grammar
How to Use “secondary modern school” in a Sentence
He was educated at a {secondary modern school}.The {secondary modern school} system was abolished in many areas.She taught in a {secondary modern school}.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secondary modern school” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He had a typical secondary-modern education.
- The secondary-modern ethos was more practical.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, and educational research papers on the UK's post-war education policy and social mobility.
Everyday
Used by older generations in the UK recalling their schooling, or in political/ media discussions about education history.
Technical
A precise term in the history of British education denoting one stream of the tripartite system established by the 1944 Education Act.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secondary modern school”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secondary modern school”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secondary modern school”
- Using it to refer to any modern secondary school. It is a historical label.
- Thinking it is a synonym for 'comprehensive school' (which replaced it).
- Capitalising it as a proper noun unless starting a sentence or in a title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most were abolished or converted into comprehensive schools from the 1960s onwards. A handful retain the name but operate as non-selective academies or comprehensive schools.
The main alternative within the same state system was the grammar school, which was academically selective. There were also technical schools, but these were rare.
It is not an offensive term in itself, but it can be used pejoratively to imply a lack of academic rigour or opportunity. It is primarily a neutral historical descriptor.
No. The term refers to a type of school within a specific historical system, not to the age of a school building. A school built yesterday is not a 'secondary modern school'.
A type of state-funded secondary school in England and Wales (historically, 1944–1970s) for children who did not pass the 11-plus exam to enter a grammar school, offering a non-academic, practical education.
Secondary modern school is usually historical, formal (when discussing education policy), sometimes pejorative. in register.
Secondary modern school: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsekəndri ˈmɒdn skuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsekənderi ˈmɑːdɚn skuːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms, but used in phrases like] 'the secondary modern mentality' (pejorative for anti-intellectualism).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SECOND choice, MODERN (for its time) but not academic SCHOOL. It was the secondary option after failing the 'first' choice (grammar school) exam.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A HIERARCHY / EDUCATION IS SORTING. The term embodies the metaphor of sorting children into different future paths based on a single test.
Practice
Quiz
In which country was the 'secondary modern school' a key part of the state education system?