What is "secondary modern school"

n. (context British somewhat dated English) a type of school, for pupils who had failed the 11-plus examination, that concentrated on practical and vocational rather than academic subjects

n. a former British secondary school emphasizing practical rather than academic education

A secondary modern school is a type of secondary school that existed throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, from 1944 until the early 1970s, under the Tripartite System, and was designed for the majority of pupils – those who do not achieve scores in the top 25% of the eleven plus examination. They were replaced in most of the UK by the Comprehensive School system and now remain in place mainly in Northern Ireland, where they are usually referred to simply as Secondary schools, and in some parts of England, such as Buckinghamshire (where they remain and are referred to as community schools), Lincolnshire, Wirral and Kent.