Education
in Britain is compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 5-16.
About 93 percent of all children are educated in state schools and the rest
attend private schools.
Primary
school.
Schoolchildren attend a primary school for
6 years (5 to 11 years). When students transfer to Secondary School at the age
of 11, they do not take any examination, but their reports are sent on from the
Primary School.
Secondary
School. Most children – over 80 percent – go to a comprehensive school.
“Comprehensive” means all-inclusive. They admit pupils of all abilities.
Pupils in all state in schools in England and Wales study 10 main subjects,
among them: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Art, Music,
Physical Education, Information Technology. Religious education is also taught.
Attainment tests are given at the ages of 7, 11 and 14. At the age of 16
students sit the exams in as many subjects as possible. Weak students may only
sit for three or four subjects. Better students take ten subjects. At the age of
16 about two thirds of these pupils leave school and get jobs. About one-third
stay on at school until the age of 18, preparing themselves for higher education.
The 6th
Form.
More ambitious pupils continue to study in
the 6th form. They stay on at school for one or two years to prepare
themselves for university. They have only three or four main subjects, which are
necessary to pass the advanced level exams at the age of 18. The school year is
divided into three terms with the intervals between them during Christmas and
Easter holidays lasting about two weeks each and summer holiday which is usually
six weeks long. All kinds of out-of-class activities are part of school life in
Britain. Most schools have very good libraries which students use for reference
work.
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