The Oxford English Dictionary defines education as follows: The United Kingdom's education system has seen many reforms aimed at improving opportunities for children. Education was once a supreme privilege to which only wealthy members of society were entitled. A significant change in the form of the Forsters Education Act of 1870 began to address this problem, with the introduction of compulsory and free schooling. Currently, in England and Wales, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) states that: The United Kingdom is a democratic, multicultural and diverse nation, proud of its equality . Each local authority is responsible for providing and funding transnational education for all children aged five to sixteen. Based on this information, it would be reasonable to suggest that there is no inequality in education because the law aims to provide equal opportunities through a universal system. In retrospect, the reality seems to be very different. By evaluating sociological perspectives and theoretical and empirical research, this essay will analyze inequalities within the education system and how they affect society. Overall, society places great importance on education, often viewing it as the primary source of social mobility. Functionalist Talcott Parsons (1959) believes that the most important part of secondary socialization is education, because it serves to transmit the norms and values ​​of the broader society that apply outside the home. Functionalists argue that there is no inequality, since education is free and offers a formal curriculum of core subjects, such as: English; Mathematics ; and science. Parsons says the education system conveys vital information and evaluates everyone through the same competitions...... middle of paper ...... nationally and these inequalities persist, even though it indicates that 'there is an element to achieving equality. beyond the meritocratic system. It is difficult to envisage a Britain without an education system; however, the survival of the meritocratic system by which success is measured is not as certain. Works CitedHaralambos, M. & Holborn, M. (1991) Sociology Themes and Perspectives. 3rd ed. Harper Collins, London. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/education http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/before-the-equality-act/guidance-for-students-pre-october-2010 /getting-into-education/the-right-to-education/ http://www.sociology.org.uk/sc_shop_pdf/sc_AS4AQA_educate_e.pdf http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072824301/student_view0/ chapter15/chapter_summary.htmlhttp://www.barnardos.org.uk/breakfast_clubs_report.pdf