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18 school 6th colleges of further work
17 forms education training schemes
16 end of compulsory schooling
………………………………………………………………
14 assessment key stage 3
11 Secondary
Middle Schools
assesment key stage 2
7 Primary
………………………………………………………………
Assesment key stage 1
beginning of compulsory schooling
4 Nursery
Note: The secondary phase includes comprehensive schools to which the majority go, but also some grammar and secondary modern schools. Furthermore, within that phase, some schools are maintained by LEAs, others have 'opted out' and become Grant Maintained Schools, funded directly by government.
The school curriculum up to the age of 16 is generally thought of as an aggregate of subjects, j^inforced by the National Curriculum which covers English, mathematics, the sciences, history, geography, a foreign language (at the secondary phase), art, music, technology and physical education. (Religious education, though not part of the National Curriculum, has been a legal requirement since the 1944 Education Act although parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education lessons.) There is an increasing emphasis upon literacy and numeracy in the early years in response to criticism of low standards, but the requirements of the National Curriculum have encroached upon the more childcentred approach that often used to be associated with the early years of education.
The maintenance of such a curriculum has been a major function of the examination system at 16, which was originally designed as a preparation for the post-16 courses leading to 'A' Level. 'A' Level is taken in single subjects, usually not more than three - arveryspecialised post-16 education compared with that of most countries. These three separate subjects, studied in depth, in turn constituted a preparation for the single or double subject honours degrees at university. In this way the shape of the curriculum for the majority has been determined by the needs of the academic minority aspiring to a university place. Alongside 'A' Levels, there have been, more recently, 'AS' (Advanced Supplementary) Level examinations.
These are worth half an 'A' Level and they enable very bright students to broaden their educational experience with a 'contrasting' subject (for example, the science specialist might study a foreign language). Occasionally a student might select a wider range of subjects, each representing half the equivalent 'A' Level course.
The present 'A' and 'AS' Level system, however, is thought to be in need of reform. First, it limits choice of subjects at 16 and 17 years, a time when a more general education should be encouraged. Second, approximately 30% of students either drop out or fail – a massive failure rate amongst a group of young people from the top 30% of academic achievement who find that after two years they have no qualification. Third, the concentration on academic success thus conceived has little room for the vocationally relevant skills and personal qualities stressed by those employers who are critics of the education system. Fourth, there are over 600 'A' Level syllabuses from eight independent examination boards often with overlapping titles and content, making comparability of standards between Boards difficult. Therefore, there is a lot of pressure for reform of the 'A' Level system.
Ex. 1. Please say whether the statement is true or false without consulting the text and then check yourself.
1. Compulsory schooling starts at the age of six.
2. Compulsory schooling ends at the age of 16, when the students take their General Certificate of Secondary Education.
3. There are parts of the country which retain selection at the age of
11, after which a majority go to the more prestigious grammar schools and minority go to secondary schools.
4. There is very authoritative private or independent sector.
5. There is a declining tendency upon literacy and numeracy in response to criticism of high standards.
6. The maintenance of such a curriculum has been a major purpose of the examination system at sixteen.
7. “A” Level is taken in single subjects, usually not more than three.
8. There is no need for reforms in “A” and “AS” Level system.
9. The “A” and “AS” Level system gives wide choice of subjects at 16 and 17 years, when a more general education is required.
Ex. 2. Fill in the table
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