Education system in the UK

Education system in the UK is divided into four main parts:

compulsory education:

1) primary education (Years 1-6);

2) secondary education (Years 7-11);

elective education

3) further education (Sixth Form College);

4) higher education (college or university).

Schooling for children is compulsory from age 5 to 16, though children under 5 may attend nursery schools or day nurseries. Education within the maintained school system usually comprises two stages – primary and secondary education. Once a student finishes secondary education he/she has the option to extend into further education. UK students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.

To ensure that all schools could be standardised so all children went from Year 1 to Year 11 in the same way and at the same time, with the same curriculum the National Curriculum was designed. The curriculum consists of a range of subjects. There is a minimum mandatory core of English, mathematics, combined science, physical education, religious education, and sex education, with short courses in technology (including Information Technology) and a modern foreign language. This gives schools the freedom to teach a greater range of academic or vocational subjects, such as Greek and Latin, additional modern languages (French, German, Spanish, etc.), performing or creative arts, history and geography, the three separate sciences, etc. Schools are also expected to teach Personal and Social Education (PSE), which includes Citizenship. Religious education is available in all schools although parents have the right to withdraw their children from such classes.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20