In the UK, the education system is characterized by strict quality standards that have been formed over the centuries. Here, education is compulsory for citizens who have reached the age of 5 and continue until the age of 16. The education system consists of two sectors: public (provides free education) and private (represented by paid educational institutions, private schools). In the UK, two systems of education perfectly coexist: one operates in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and the other is used in Scotland.
Schools in England
Various directories and sources of information use different criteria in the classification of English schools.
Boarding schools are the most common in the UK. In such schools, pupils are taught basic subjects and live with the school.
By age of students the following types of schools are distinguished:
Full-cycle schools are designed for children aged 2-18 years. Institutions of preschool education (nurseries and kindergartens) - for children 2-7 years. They teach reading, writing, numerating, paying attention to the overall development of the child with the help of games. Often they are created in schools for junior schoolchildren (calculated for an age of 2 years 9 months to 4 years).
Junior Schools. Schools for junior schoolchildren are designed for 7-13-year-old children. Children receive initial training in different subjects, according to which they pass the exam - Common Entrance Examination. Only with the successful passing of this exam is possible further education in high school.
Primary schools teach children aged 4-11 years, prepare them for the SATs exam, which is surrendered in 2 stages, at the 2nd and 6th years of schooling. As a result of the second exam, the child enters Secondary School.
Senior Schools is a school for senior schoolchildren, where teenagers of 13-18 years are studying. The first two years of study at this school are aimed at taking the GCSE exam. Then follows a two-year training program: International Baccalaureate (or A-Level).
Secondary school is designed to teach children from 11 years and older.
Grammar school also provides training for children from 11 years, but in-depth program. It is in these schools that the children receive the necessary training for entering the university (the English Sixth Form).
The following schools are distinguished by gender:
In mixed schools, children of both sexes are trained. In schools for girls - only girls, in schools for boys, respectively, only boys.
Institutions of preschool education
Pre-school education citizens of Great Britain can get in public or private schools. Many children attend nurseries, designed for 3-4 years of age.
Preparatory education
Private schools accept children in primary or preparatory classes from the age of 4-5. Foreign students go to a private school at 7 years old, then in 11-13 years pass to the middle classes of the same school.
Elementary education
Public primary schools are designed for children of 5 years. At 11 years old, students go to college or secondary school in the same school.
Secondary school education
Secondary education for children under 16 is compulsory. In public and private schools, children aged 11-16 are trained, after which they are issued a general certificate of secondary education GCSE (English General Certificate of Secondary Education) or a national certificate of professional qualification GNVQ (English General National Vocational Qualification). Most foreign children are enrolled in British secondary schools (mainly in private boarding schools) in the period of 11-13 years. British schools strive to form a creative, self-confident, independent personality. Children study in different subjects, then pass the exam - Common Entrance Examination. If the exam is successfully passed, the child can enter the senior school. At the age of 14-16, the children are prepared to take exams (in 7-9 basic subjects), on the basis of which they receive the General Certificate of Secondary Education (certificate of secondary education).