Introduction to Education in England
Education is important in England. English children are required by law to have an education until they are 16 years old. Education is compulsory, but school is not, children are not required to attend school. They could be educated at home. Education is free for all children from 5 to 18. About 94 per cent of pupils in the UK receive free education from public funds, while 6 per cent attend independent fee paying schools. All government-run schools, state schools, follow the same National Curriculum.
Education stages
Children's education in England is normally divided into two separate stages. They begin with primary education at the age of five and this usually lasts until they are eleven. Then they move to secondary school, there they stay until they reach sixteen, seventeen or eighteen years of age. English children are required to attend school until they are 16 years old.
At the age of 16, students write an examination called the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). All students are tested in mathematics, English literature, English composition, chemistry, biology, physics, history or the Classics, one modem language, and one other subject, such as art or computer studies.
After completing the GCSE, some students leave school, others go onto technical college, whilst others continue at high school for two more years and take a further set of standardized exams, known as A levels, in three or four subjects. These exams determine whether a student is eligible for university.
School Curriculum
National Curriculum is balanced and broad-based, comprising of the four core subjects, Mathematics, English, Science and Information Communication Technology, together with the foundation subjects of Information Technology, Design Technology, Geography,. History, Art, Music and Physical
Education.
Religious education is also provided for all children to develop an understanding of the nature of religious beliefs and practices and to acknowledge the importance and influence of these in the lives of believers. Health, Social and Citizenship Education (P. H. S. C. E. ) forms part of our curriculum throughout the school and includes a developing awareness of the potential dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drags, encouraging children to be confident in saying "No! ". P.S.H.E. also includes Sex Education. Teachers deal with children' s questions about the physical differences between the sexes and about human reproduction factually and honestly as they arise. Sex Education is introduced in Year 3 though films made by the BBD Films are also used in Year 5 to further develop the children' s knowledge. A copy of our school' s Sex Education policy is available from the school.
Moreover, we have individual policies for every curriculum area. These are reviewed and updated regularly by members of staff who have a particular skill or interest.
School Tests
We need to know children' s individual ability, potential and achievement. We therefore continuously assess their performance and progress. Much of this assessment is based on the teachers' professional knowledge and expertise. We also carry out more structured tests at various times.
Generally the compulsory testing takes place at the ages of seven, eleven and fourteen in England and Scotland (but not Wales where more informal methods of assessment are favoreD) .
Most young people take GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations at sixteen, and many take vocational qualifications, A/S and A levels (Advanced levels), at seventeen and eighteen when they apply for entrance of universities.
Categories of School
•local authority maintained schools (State Schools)
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B. N
C. NG
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