British schools

Akelina Malika

9A form

school № 1425

A brief history of British school educationSchool education of Great Britain has a centuries-

old history, which puts out roots in the far past. Even in the sixth century A.D. the church began to

organize schools for teaching the next priests. Later appeared secular schools where boys studied a grammar. The system of state schools began to

take shape in the second half of 19 century.

In 1944 in Great Britain was introduced compulsory primary and secondary

education. In accordance with the law all British children in age from 5 to 16 years old should receive secondary education.

There are about 34 thousand

state schools in Great Britain. Eight and half million children

study there. Education in

state schools is free of pay.

State schools.

Private schoolsThere are about two and a half thousand

private schools in Great Britain. More than one half million children study there. The education in these schools is paying.

In private schools teachers give personal attention to each pupil. There are different

clubs of interest and sport sections.

School yearIn Great Britain school year lasts 38 weeks. It has

three terms: Michaelmas Term, Lent Term and Summer Term. They are separated by vacations:

Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. There is one week interval in each term.

School week lasts usually 5 days.School day begins at 9 o`clock and comes

to end at 15 o`clock.

School uniformAll pupils in Great

Britain ought to wear a school uniform. It is an old good tradition in the country. School

uniform was introduced in state

scale during governing of the King

Henry the Eight.

A boy`s uniform consists of a coat, a cap, a jacket, a pullover, a trousers, a shirt, a tie. A

girl`s uniform consists of a coat, a hat, a jacket, a skirt, a blouse, a tie. Each school has its own

set of uniform. Children may wear their uniform in different combinations.

Wearing a school uniform helps pupils to keep up a discipline, to smooth away a race and social difference

between them, makes children to be more serious and to look business-like.

Stages of school education in Great Britain

Primary schoolsIn England and Wales children begin to go to infant

department of primary school at age of 5 years old, in Scotland and North Ireland – at age of 4.

At infant school children start to read, to write and to count. They draw pictures, sing songs, listen stories and tales, play games and have a simple sport practice. They don`t get marks

and have no exams.

At age of 7 children leave infant department and come to junior one of primary school. Children

learn to write, to read and to do math. They study many new subjects such as History,

Geography, Art, Music, Computing and others.

They begin to go in sport more active, organize school sport commands, take part

in competitions.

At age of 11 years old pupils pass Common Entrance Examination and go to secondary

school.

Secondary schoolsIn England, Wales and North Ireland children begin to study at secondary school in age of 11 years old, in Scotland – at 12.There are three types of secondary schools in Great Britain:

- comprehensive schools;- grammar schools, which provide pupils an academic

education oriented to university entry;- secondary modern schools with professional orientation.

At age of 16 years old all British pupils finish their school education by passing exams for GCSE (General Certificate of

Secondary Education).

Sixth formThis two-year education is chosen by children who

take a decision to enter university after getting GCSE. They pass exams for GSE/A Level and may

become a bachelor continuing their education in university.

Basic approach of British education is to develop active, independent,

creative thinking and high self-esteem in all children.

Quality of British education is considered to be unbreakable

all over the world.