Unit 4. Education Part 1. Schools

In Britain it is compulsory for everyone between the ages of 5 and 16 years to receive some officially recognised form of schooling, though most secondary schools continue to provide education until the age of 18. The vast majority of pupils (85%) attend state comprehensive schoolsⁱ¹, which are absolutely free, including all text books and exercise books. There are also about 500 private schools providing secondary education, which are not financed by the state (so called “independent” schools). The most famous of these schools, confusingly known as public schools², are Eton, Harrow, Rugby and Winchester.

Compulsory education begins at 5, and most children attend state primary schools until they are 11. Normally the primary school is divided into Infants – 5 – 7 years old, and Juniors – 7- 11 years old.

At the age of 11 pupils change from primary to secondary school, where they stay until they are 16. The schools are not ‘specialised’ - pupils choose from the numerous subjects taught in their particular school. According to the National Curriculum introduced in 1988 a number of subjects became compulsory, however, for all types of schools. Now three core subjects - English, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)³, and seven other foundation subjects - Technology⁴, History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical Education (P.E.) and a modern foreign language - are included in the curricula of all pupils.

To help young people to plan their careers different types of vocational training were introduced in some state schools for 14 to 18 year-olds in the subject areas of health, business, social care, information technology, manufacturing and others.

After ten years of of study usually at the age of 16, most pupils take their examinations for General Certificate of Secondary Educationl⁵(GCSE). The pupils are assessed on the basis of a mixture of course work and written examination, in the individual subjects. The highest mark or grade is A, then go B, C, D, F and G, unsatisfactory mark is U.

Those pupils who have got some vocational training and leave school at the age of 16 for employment can also take examinations for General National Vocational Qualifications⁶(GNVQs) Foundation Level, which is equivalent to f o u r GCSEs at grades D to G.

Young people who decide to continue their education at the age of 16 can go on to further education either in schools or in colleges. In this case students must have their examination grades in their GCSE exams not lower than C.

Many continue their education in schools in the Sixth Form⁷, or in Sixth Form Colleges and study for General Certificate of Education Advanced level⁸(GCE A-level) qualifications. A-levels are taken in schools and colleges after two years of study. Students normally specialise and take exams in two or three subjects which are necessary for them to enter the university. Others take up GNVQs, usually at Intermediate and Advanced Levels.

GNVQs Intermediate Level is equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades A to C, and Advanced Level is equivalent to two GCE A –levels.

Both GCE A-levels and GNVQs Advanced Level are accepted as entry qualifications for higher education in the universities.