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The British
Educational System
State Education in Britain
All state schools in Britain are free, and schools
provide their pupils with books and equipment for their studies.
Education is compulsory from 5 to 16 years. Parents
can choose to send their children to a nursery school or a pre-school play
group to prepare them for the start of compulsory education. Children
start primary school at 5 and continue until they are 11. At
primary school children become acquainted with Reading, Writing,
Arithmetic and develop their creative abilities, they are taught to sing,
dance, play, draw. Primary children do all their work with the same class
teacher, except for physical education and music, which are often
taught by specialists.
Most children are taught together, boys and girls in the same class
At 11 most pupils go to secondary schools called
comprehensives with accept a wide range of children from all backgrounds
and religious and ethnic groups. Ninety per cent of secondary schools in
England, Scotland and Wales are co-educational.
At 16 pupils take a national exam called “GCSE”
(General Certificate of Secondary Education) and then they can leave
school if they wish. This is the end of compulsory education.
Some 16-year olds continue their studies in the 6th
form at school or at a sixth form college. The 6th form
prepares pupils for a national exam called “A” level (Advanced Level)
at 18. Pupils need “A” levels to enter a university. Other 16-year olds
choose a college of further education to study hairdressing, typing or
mecanics.
Universities and colleges of higher education accept
students with “A” levels from 18. Students study for a degree, which takes
on average three years of fulltime study. Most students graduate at 21 and
are given their degree at a special graduation ceremony.
Private Education
Seven per cent of British Schoolchildren go to private
schools. There are 3 levels of private schools: primary schools (age four
to eight), preparatory schools (age eight to thirteen). At the age of 13
children take an examination. If they pass it, they go to public school, where
they usually remain until they are 18. Many preparatory and most public
schools are boarding schools, the children live at school during the
school terms. But though these schools are called public, they are, in
fact, private and it can be very expensive to send a child to such
a school.
The most famous public schools have a long history and
tradition. It is often necessary to put a child’s name on a waiting list
at birth to be sure he or she get a place. Children of wealthy or
aristocratic families often go to the same public school as their parents and
their grandparents. Eton is the best known of these schools.
It is situated in Eton, a town about 20 miles west of London,
on the River Thames. The school was founded in 1440 by King Henry 4, and
some of the original buildings are still standing. Many famous figures
from British public life were educated at Eton. Immediately opposite Eton,
across the Thames, is Windsor, a town which is closely associated with
Eton.
Windsor Castle, the largest castle in England and a
favourite home of the Royal family, dominates the skyline the town.
Traditionally, public schools were
always single-sex schools but now many of them are becoming
co-educational, both boys and girls attend the school. Eton,
however, still remains a public school for boys only.