School education in the UK has a general structure, but can be embodied by the most different options. Today, it is still not uncommon to find in the United Kingdom separate schools for girls and boys, or private and public boarding schools, in which children not only study, but also live. There are reasons for the existence of such institutions. Moreover, usually, such institutions have a very good reputation, because they are real masters of their craft. However, general educational institutions mixed type (for girls and boys) are more popular and available in the middle class today.
But in any of the incarnations, the British structure of the learning structure is recognized in the world and is considered one of the standards. It has evolved over several centuries and is based on discipline and focused on the acquisition of deep and solid knowledge. Students from all over the world go there. In order to study in the British Isles, it is enough to pass entrance exams and receive an international certificate for the level of English proficiency. Studying for the British, study for the certificate of the intermediate level is free, if it is government agency, and for international students paid.
School education in the UK has a different grading system from the CIS countries, from A to F, which, in turn, have an alternative in a hundred-point system. This method is also used in Europe, the United States of America Estimates and other countries. Marks A-C (100 - 60) are considered positive, others need to be retaken. In Britain, it is not customary to leave failing students for the second year, usually weak students simply attend additional classes to raise and maintain their level of knowledge.
The school system in the UK
The school system in the UK is significantly different from the systems of the CIS countries. At the same time, the differences begin as early as kindergarten. There it is called Pre-School, which translates exactly as “pre-school”. In preschools in Britain, the burden of reading, writing, drawing or any other type of learning is minimal. Everything there is mostly entertaining. But there are also private Pre-schools, in which, on the contrary, with early age educational games and activities are practiced.
From the age of 5 children go to school. Namely, in the Primary School ("Primary School"). Learn the basics here exact sciences like math, grammar, etc. Another small difference between primary schools in the United Kingdom and the CIS countries is that the names of subjects are not simplified there. If our students lower grades study "reading", "writing" and "nature" in England, these disciplines will be called the same as in older classes.
The next step in education, starting from the age of 11, is the Secondary (middle) School. In turn, it can be divided into two more sections.
The first - up to 14 years. Everyone equally studies a number of compulsory disciplines, delving into what was passed in the elementary grades.
The second - up to 16 years. Students have 5 main compulsory subjects. Namely mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics and English. Moreover, their study of English is different from the study of native languages in our countries. There, much more attention is paid to reading and analyzing various works that did not live in writing. At this stage, for the first time, British schoolchildren are faced with an elective discipline. Thus, each student has the right to choose the direction of interest that they will need for the profession in the future. Subjects: History, foreign languages, production and cooking technologies, art and many, many others. If desired, the student can change their chosen directions at any time.
At the end of the course, everyone must pass a big exam for the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). Here, too, there are differences from the system familiar to us. If we go to the certificate final grade for each subject and all of them have weight in determining the average score, then for the British in most cases only the result of the exams is important. There are some subjects for which, for example, 75% of the grade will be an exam and 25% a special essay in this area. Students prepare for these exams especially diligently, because, as a rule, two, three, and sometimes even four exams can fall on one discipline.
The education system in the UK is designed so that after the age of 16, teenagers have complete freedom of choice. They can already go to work, start a family, go to a specialized college or courses, and also stay at school for another 2 years and continue their education here. This last step in education is called A-Levels (Advanced Level, which translates into Russian as “advanced” or “top level”), an alternative to 10-11 grades of high school. Very often, foreign students start their studies in England with A-Levels. There are no required subjects at this level. Students independently choose 4 disciplines that they want to study. And in the 2nd year, only three of them are left. This is necessary for specialization and further admission to the desired university.
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The UK education system is perhaps one of the most conservative in the world. This is partly due to her age - the appearance of the first secondary schools in the country and Oxford University dates back to the 12th century. From that time to this day, discipline and a high level of teaching quality remain the main distinguishing features of the British educational system. However, this does not mean that it does not undergo any changes. On the contrary, the English education system not only keeps pace with the times, but often is ahead of it: the desire for excellence and respect for traditions here coexists perfectly with the latest educational programs and practices.
Pre-school education in England
Preparation for school in the UK begins in kindergarten. From 2 to 5 years old, children learn to read, write and count. The academic load is small, the emphasis is on discipline and general education. At the same time, the state finances only 15 hours of kindergarten classes per week, so if you plan to give the child away for a longer period, you will have to pay extra from your own budget. Parents send their children to preschool institutions at will, and only the school stage is obligatory - from 5 to 18 years.
The secondary education system of England
Secondary education in England includes four main steps(Key Stages): primary from 5 to 7 years and from 7 to 11, secondary for children from 11 to 14 and from 14 to 16. Set compulsory subjects(Core Subjects) varies by age. In elementary school, children learn English language, mathematics, history, geography, music, industrial technology and art. From the age of 11, Core Subjects include English, mathematics and science (basics of chemistry, biology and physics). The rest of the subjects, the student, together with their parents, chooses based on their own preferences. From 14 to 16 years old, students prepare for the GCSE exam (General Certificate of Secondary Education - Certificate of Secondary Education).
In 2015, the English legislation on compulsory education has changed: previously it was limited to the age of 16 years. Today's students have to spend another 2 years at their desks. Those who plan to get to work as quickly as possible go to vocational colleges. After 2 years of study, they receive GNVQ "s (certificate of secondary special education) or BTEC "s (diploma of secondary technical education). Those who are interested in further admission to the university stay at the school for sixth form. During this period - 16 to 18 years old - students are preparing for the delivery of A-levels in selected subjects.
According to the type of funding, UK schools are divided into public and private. Unlike many countries, the gap between public and private educational institutions in England is not so great: the level of secondary education in the country is monitored at the state level. Although, of course, private schools are distinguished by stronger training: the presence of a material and technical base and a high level of teaching staff, and the intimacy of classes, and even the historical heritage that a large part of boarding schools can boast of. Many of them have been working for more than one century, and the oldest ones did - they appeared in the XII century under the Catholic churches.
It is worth noting that historically in England it has developed separate education. Some private schools have maintained this approach to this day: many Britons believe that it is easier for boys and girls to focus on their studies. Public schools are mostly mixed.
The grading system in British schools is alphabetic: from A * (excellent) to U (extremely unsatisfactory). In some private educational institutions they also give a second mark - for diligence, from 1 (active work and interest in the subject) to 5 (the student does not try at all). Double assessment is very convenient for both the student and his parents. It seems to restore justice, because it often happens that some subject is not given, despite great efforts, and bad grades finally demotivate.
The academic year in an English school is divided into trimesters, each lasting 12 weeks. The number of lessons depends on the age of the students, but always includes art and sports. Much attention is paid to general education: schools are trying to develop leadership qualities in children, curiosity, free individuals who know how to make a choice, defend their point of view, strive for professional development, and at the same time be worthy members of society, who have the right to be called true ladies and gentlemen. It is noteworthy that educational traditions are especially strong in private boarding schools for boys.
In general, the secondary education system in England is assessed positively, although the level of student preparation shows last years some reversibility. Thus, according to the monitoring of the assessment of the quality of education in PISA schools (Programme for International Student Assessment) for 2015, the UK got 15th place. In 2009 - only 24, and in 2000 - 7. According to experts, the fluctuations are mainly associated with a less stable level of teaching in the public school sector. As for private establishments, their figures remain fairly consistently high from year to year.
UK higher education system
The system of higher education in Great Britain is considered one of the most perfect in the world - this is demonstrated both by the world rankings of higher educational institutions and the demand for specialists who graduated from the universities of Foggy Albion. It is believed that the British educational model formed the basis of the Bologna educational system.
The higher education sector in the country includes:
- classical universities And university colleges(University Colleges), in which great attention is paid to research activities.
- polytechnics(Polytechnics) and colleges of higher education(Colleges of Higher Education), where specialists in applied specialties are trained.
Education includes 3 stages: bachelor's degree (3 years of study, with the exception of Scotland), master's degree (1-2 years) and doctoral studies (2-3 years). The academic year consists of 3 trimesters. Classes are held both in the classical format of lectures and seminars, and in the form of independent work and tutorials (works in small groups with a mentor-tutor). The progress of students is assessed by intermediate work (essays, term papers, projects) and by the results of final exams. The system for calculating the average score depends on the university and can be either a point score or a percentage.
Despite the inherent conservatism of the British, they are constantly working on improving the education system introducing innovative teaching methods and actively using modern technologies. So, under the influence of market needs, so-called "sandwich courses" appeared in many universities - periods of work experience that can last up to a year and are considered part of the training.
But, of course, British higher education institutions are mainly famous for their strong academic preparation, which has absorbed the best of the centuries-old history of education in this country. Students from all over the world come here for quality, ready to pay a lot of money for the coveted diploma: a year of study in English university costs between £10,000 and £25,000.
Understanding the importance of higher education not only in terms of reputation, but also economic benefits, the government regulates the quality of education at the state level. To do this, the country has the Educational Quality Assurance Authority (QAA), which checks the “academic standards” and “academic quality” of universities. Thus, a student of any educational institution in the UK can be sure that he will receive an up-to-date education, and his diploma will be quoted in any country in the world.
The UK education system successfully combines adherence to traditions and advanced educational technologies. Its goal is not so much the encyclopedic knowledge of students in any field, but the comprehensive development of the individual, the focus on obtaining knowledge and Professional Development. It is not surprising that graduates of British educational institutions are so in demand in the global labor market and show excellent career growth.
Features of school education in England
The English education system has evolved over more than one century. Now it is subject to very strict quality standards. British educational institutions are very different from the usual Russian school.In the UK there are 2 sectors of education: private (paid) and public (free). There is a huge variety of types of schools. But private pensions are especially popular.
Traditionally, schools in England are classified by gender. There are schools designed exclusively for boys or girls. They are in demand, as teaching is built in accordance with gender characteristics. However, co-education is also popular.
Among the "girls" schools, the Badminton School is the most famous, 15% of its graduates go to Oxford, Cambridge. Among the "boys" Abingdon School is popular - an institution with a 750-year history, every fifth graduate continues his education in Oxford, Cambridge. The most famous joint schools are Abbey Colleges Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester, Ashford School, etc.
Children in England start school at the age of 5. Their education system is characterized compulsory education from 5 to 16 years old. The entire academic year is divided into 3 semesters.
Education in the country is three-stage and in in general terms similar to Russian
1) 5-11(12) years old, Primary School. Children study about 12 compulsory subjects. A distinctive feature is the focus not on cramming and memorizing, which sins Russian system, but on the development of creative inclinations, stimulation of research skills. Accepted here joint projects children, children will not teach the table of Pythagoras, they themselves will deduce.
2) 11-16 years old, high school. Upon completion, exams are taken and a certificate is issued. With it, you can go to college or go to the next stage. Here again the emphasis is on practice, project activities, free discussions. The goal is an independent person, confident and creative, and not knowledge itself, useless in the absence of the possibility of practical application.
3) High school, in it they study until adulthood and study the subjects necessary for admission to a university. At graduation from it, an exam is taken, which is an entrance to the institute. There are 2 programs here:
A-level - the student chooses several subjects to his taste and studies them for 2 years;
IB (International Baccalaureate) - the student chooses 6 subjects, half of which are studied more deeply. Duration - 2 years. At the end, an essay of 4000 words is written.
With British children is conducted and extracurricular work. Usually this social activity and recreational activities. Schools often compete with each other.
In general, these stages are very similar to ours: elementary school, middle and high school, and the USE as a final / entrance exam. However, the student-teacher relationship is fundamentally different, different approaches to the learning process, the choice of methods and techniques for obtaining knowledge, British education is more individualized in terms of educational trajectories.
UK schoolchildren study in conditions the strictest discipline. The form is required. In the lessons, even an attempt to answer is evaluated, so the children's interest in knowledge is stimulated, their mental activity is warmed up. The main thing is deep, comprehensive development, students should be able to express their personal position on a wide variety of issues. It is also customary to thank the teacher for comments and instructions. This seems especially unusual for Russian children, because in our schools there is no such practice. In general, special attention to etiquette, manners of behavior is a hallmark of British pedagogy.
UK education system.
In recent decades, education in the UK has become one of the most priority areas V public policy regardless of what political forces are in power. Decision-making that determines the prospects for the development of the industry is carried out at the very high level in the hierarchical structure of the parliament, government.
The Education Act of 1944 was the first act of national importance, which, although it was mainly devoted to school education, to a large extent streamlined the education system as a whole and determined the bodies of its management. Then adopted acts reviewed and supplemented. But by the 1960s there was a need to revise and improve the quality of education, and it exists in modern England as well. Thus, in 1993 the UK National Education Commission published a report with the eloquent title “Learning to Succeed. A radical view of education today and a strategy for the future, which provides recommendations on how to achieve positive changes in education.
They are formulated as the following goals:
volume reduction compulsory education;
Improving the system of advanced training of teachers;
· concentration of management of education and training of teachers in the hands of one body;
· increasing investment in education;
increasing public participation in school activities
· elementary education; for children under 11;
· secondary education; for children under 16;
Higher or further education; for children over 16 years old.
Statistics.
There are about 30,000 public schools in England and Wales with 8.5 million children.
There are only 2741 schools in Scotland, and in Northern Ireland - 1300.
In England, about a million children under four years of age (about 50%) attend kindergarten before entering school, in Wales - more than 70%, in Scotland - 38, and in Northern Ireland - 15% of children.
More than half a million children study in private schools in the UK.
Preschool and secondary education.
Free general education for all children, regardless of social status, national origin, etc. operates throughout the country. There are public and private schools. Education in public schools is free, in private schools it is paid. In the UK, about 50% of 3-4 year olds are brought up in nursery schools or so-called baby centres. In addition, many children attend game groups pre-school education, established by voluntary organizations and parents. Compulsory education begins at the age of 5, and children go to a toddler school.
Thus, the compulsory education system covers children and adolescents from 5 to 16 years of age. The duration of the academic year is 38 weeks. The year is divided into trimesters, which are interspersed with holidays: summer (6 weeks), Christmas and Easter (2-3 weeks). There is a week break in the middle of the trimesters. School week usually 5 days. The school day lasts from 9.00 to 15.30. with a break for lunch and morning prayer. There is a minimum number of academic hours per week; Schools have the right to increase the weekly study load at their own discretion.
The first two stages (from 5 to 11 years old) cover primary education. In this case, children are usually grouped according to age classes. All subjects are taught by one teacher. The lesson lasts from 15 to 45 minutes. After graduation, children do not take exams and do not receive graduation certificates. In elementary school, most of the time is devoted to studying English (40% of study time), 15% is physical education, about 12% is manual labor and art, the rest of the hours are distributed between the lessons of arithmetic, history, geography, natural history and religion.
Regarding the UK secondary education system. It distinguishes two main types of schools: grammar and integrated (besides them, there are also technical and modern secondary schools). The most popular type of schools are joint schools. About 90% of students in England study in them. The integrated school accepts primary school graduates with different levels of mental abilities and abilities. Secondary integrated schools can be organized in various ways: integrated full secondary schools for children from 11 to 18 years old; middle schools, where students move to a senior integrated school at age 12, 13, or 14, graduating at age 16 or 18; schools for the 11-12 to 16 age group, combined with the so-called "sixth form". United schools were organized with the aim of creating equal opportunities for education. They were supposed to provide joint education for students with different abilities, interests and opportunities. However, in reality, in many integrated schools, streams or departments based on the selective selection of students have been preserved.
In grammar schools, the child receives a general complete secondary education, and he is also prepared for studying in higher educational institutions. The basis academic work in grammar schools, the principle of a differentiated curriculum is laid down. After the end of the 5th grade, approximately 60% of students who pass the exams and receive a general certificate of education at the ordinary level leave school. The remaining 40% continue their individual education. curricula in the two-year 6th grade, which is graduation.
The UK education system, in accordance with the administrative division and established traditions, is divided into three subsystems: 1) England and Wales, 2) Northern Ireland and 3) Scotland. It should be noted that the education systems of England, Wales and Northern Ireland differ slightly in their structure, but the Scottish education system has its own traditional features. Modern system UK education includes: early childhood education, primary education, general secondary education, further education system and higher education.
England and Wales.
Education in England and Wales starts at age 5. Until the age of 11, they attend elementary schools, where the emphasis is on basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills. From 11 to 16 years old, students study in secondary schools, which are general education (comprehensive schools), with in-depth study of subjects (grammar schools) and secondary special schools (secondary modern schools).
Upon reaching the age of sixteen, students can continue their education to obtain the knowledge necessary for admission to universities and universities at their school, sixth form colleges (sixth form colleges) or tertiary colleges.
Scotland.
In primary schools in Scotland, children study from 4 to 12 years old. Almost all secondary schools are general education (comprehensive), where full course lasts six years, but in some mountainous areas where, due to lack of teachers or for other reasons, it is impossible to teach children everything, the course secondary school lasts four years, while students can transfer to another school to continue their studies.
The vast majority of Scottish schools are board owned and funded directly by their board. However, there are also a few schools (19) funded by grants from the Scottish Department of Education and run by volunteer organizations. Parents of students may decide by voting to transfer the school from the control of the local board of education to direct funding from the Department.
Northern Ireland.
Primary school in Northern Ireland goes from 4 to 11 years old. Secondary education is organized both according to the abilities of the students and according to their religious affiliation. Controlled schools are entirely funded by the government. Voluntary schools are owned by voluntary organizations, most of them owned by the Catholic Church, but receive financial assistance from public funds. Voluntary grammar schools and some Catholic schools receive direct subsidies from the Northern Ireland Department of Education.
Boarding school.
In addition to ordinary secondary schools, where students come to study during the day (Day Schools) and return home in the evening, the system of boarding schools (Boarding Schools) has become widespread in the UK. In such schools, children live and study all year, returning home only for the holidays. The British, whose work is associated with frequent traveling - the military, diplomats, businessmen, traveling salesmen and many other persons who, for one reason or another, cannot devote enough time to their children, willingly send their children to private boarding schools. Even very wealthy parents who have the opportunity to hire tutors and teachers for their child prefer to use the services of privileged boarding houses. An extensive network of boarding houses has existed for a very long time and is as traditional as the network of regular schools.
English boarding schools are a system whose main goal is the all-round harmonious development of children. School items, sports and art are organically combined here into a single program for the upbringing and education of children, which has been formed over decades, has stood the test of time and continues to improve continuously.
In the UK, two types of boarding schools coexist: independent / private (Independent / Private Boarding Schools) and public (State Boarding School). The upbringing and education of children from 5 to 11 years old is mainly carried out by private boarding schools. There are very few public boarding schools for children aged 5 to 11.
Such schools, as a rule, have their own libraries, computer classes, gyms and playgrounds, workshops and laboratories, rooms for self-study and rest. In their free time from school, students unite in various sports sections and interest clubs. Experienced teachers coordinate their activities and use their capabilities in preparation for school-wide evenings, holidays and sports competitions. Teachers are responsible for all aspects of the extracurricular life of students, their health, psychological condition. At boarding schools, there is always a round-the-clock medical office with qualified nurses. Schools usually have arrangements with local doctors who regularly medical examinations children, can arrive on call and provide the necessary medical care any time of the day.
Education abroad has always been considered a prestigious matter, especially for the younger generation, so today I will share with you my observations on how education is conducted in British schools.
First of all, it is worth saying that our schools are very different from British ones. If it is customary for us to send children to study at about six or seven years old, then children are sent to study at about five years old.
In general, all training there is divided into three stages. The first is an elementary school, like ours. There, children study until the age of twelve or thirteen, and study the required number of subjects, there are about 12 of them. After that, the child goes to high school where he studies until the age of sixteen. There, schoolchildren eventually pass the exam and receive a semblance of our certificate, with which it is quite possible to go to college. And finally, the third stage is graduate School where they study until adulthood. There, the emphasis is only on the subjects necessary for admission to the university, and at the end of school, graduates pass special exam. An important plus is that the result of this exam is already the basis for enrolling in a university, that is, you will not have to take exams even upon admission.
With discipline in English schools everything is strict, so it will be useful to send unlucky and restless children here to study. It is customary to wear school uniform. Schoolchildren live in boarding houses near the school. Moreover, boys separately, girls separately. Several people are accommodated in one room, privileges are given only to students from the age of 16 - they are accommodated one or two people per room.
The learning process has its own characteristics. For example, if we give marks only for the final answer, then in England the student receives marks even for trying to answer, if it was in the right direction. This greatly encourages children to study.
Teachers pay the main attention to the fact that the child is comprehensively developed and can speak out on any problem. Therefore, students are constantly asked to say what they think about this or that matter, and this is also appreciated.
In the UK, it is also considered polite to thank the teacher if he made a remark or gave you an instruction. At first, Russian children and their parents who live in England cannot accept this fact for a long time, because Russians do not really like criticism.
To prepare your child for admission to English school First of all, he must know at least the basic basics of the English language. It would be helpful to send it to summer school in the English language program. Also, together with the child, you need to learn some important points about culture and so that the child feels comfortable and confident in new country. For admission, the child must pass a special test, which is sent to his school directly from England, and based on the results of this test, talented students are selected who are already being interviewed by representatives of English schools.
In principle, it is not so difficult. But the result will make itself felt: the child will confidently know English, acquire the skill of communicating with foreigners and get a lot of impressions about the culture and customs of another country!
