The british educational system

1. Education is compulsory for all children from 5 to 16. Many children in Britain attend nursery school from the age of about three, but these schools are not compulsory;

2. The academic year usually begins in September and runs to early July; it has 3 terms, divided by the Christmas and Easter holidays. In addition, all schools have a “half-term holiday”, lasting a few days or a week, in the middle of each term;

3. Compulsory education is free of charge, but parents may spend money on educating their children if they want to;

4. There are three stages of education. Children move from the first stage (primary) to the second stage (secondary) at around the age of eleven or twelve. The third stage is “further” education at university or college.

At the age of 5 children go to infant schools which are the first stage of primary education. There is no written timetable and classes are informal. From 7 to 11 they attend junior schools, the second stage of primary education. In primary school children are taught the so-called 3R’s: reading, writing and arithmetic. They also have music, physical training and art classes.

At the age of 11 children enter secondary schools. There are three types of state secondary schools in Britain. They are: grammar schools (for the most intelligent children), modern schools (for the less intelligent children) and comprehensive schools (for children of all abilities). Grammar schools lead towards higher education, and the others give general or vocational education to prepare students for employment or for further technical education. The regular secondary schools offer 7 years of schooling, with students from 11 to 18 years of age. The last two years (16-18) may be spent in a separate sixth form college, which concentrates on career training.

In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests.

Between the ages of 14 and 16, pupils study for their GSCE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Pupils must take English Language, Math, and Science for GSCE, as well as half GSCE in a foreign language and Technology. In addition, they must also be taught Physical Education, Religious Education and Sex Education, although they do not take exams in these subjects.

Those who get good GSCE grades can stay at their school for another two years, if it has a sixth form and teaches the desired subjects, and then take “A” level (Advanced Level) exams. Otherwise they have to leave their school and go to a sixth-form college or college of further education. Further education colleges have strong ties with commerce and industry and offer courses in engineering, cooking or hairdressing.

The GCE Advanced (A) level is normally taken after a further two years of study. Good “A” level results in at least 2 subjects are necessary to get a place at a university. Universities choose their students after interviews. There are about 100 universities in Britain. The most famous of them are Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Along with the state schools, there are about 500 private schools in Britain. Most of them charge fees. Some private schools are boarding schools, where children actually live in the school. Many schools admit day pupils as well as boarders. Private schools usually offer only the most academic line, and select those students who are most likely to succeed. The most expensive private schools are called “public schools” and they have a long history and tradition. Among the most famous “public schools” are Winchester, Eton, Westminster, Rugby and Harrow.

Ex 1. Listen to the text “Bill Gates” (Enterprise 2 p. 52, ex. 23), and then give the information about his education.

Ex 2. Read the text “Our University” and answer the questions after it:

Don’t be angry with me for my long silence, but really I was too busy to write.

As you know, I left school in June and began to prepare for my entrance exams to the University. As both my mother and father are teachers I have made up my mind to be a teacher too. I think teaching is a noble profession.

I had to take four exams and passed all of them with excellent marks. So I’m glad to tell you that now I’m a first-year student at the Moscow State Teacher Training University.

I should like to show you the main building of our University. I can’t help admiring this fine old building with its beautiful columns. The first students entered it more than 120 years ago.

There are 18 faculties at our University which train teachers in many subjects: Russian, Literature, Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Foreign Languages and others. Many well-known professors teach at our University.

We have good libraries and reading-rooms and for those who go in for sports there are good gymnasiums and a stadium.

At present we have quite a lot of work as we have English practice, Grammar and Phonetics, Linguistics, History of our native land and other subjects. There is an English speaking club at our faculty. It gives us a good opportunity to master the language, but I don’t take part in it yet. I’m working hard at my pronunciation. There is a good language laboratory at our faculty where we work with the cassette-recorders. It helps us to find out our mistakes and to get rid of them in the shortest possible time.

So that’s the latest news about myself. Please write to me about your life and studies.

(Аракин,6-е изд., доп. и исправл.- М.: Гуманит. изд. центр ВЛАДОС, 2002.-502 с.; стр. 198-199)

1. When did Ann begin to prepare for her entrance exams to the University? 2. How many exams did she have to take? 3. How did she pass her exams? 4. What’s the name of her University? 5. When did the first students enter the University? 6. How many faculties are there at the University? 7. What are the main facilities there? 8. What gives her a good opportunity to master the language? 9. Where does she work with a cassette-recorder? 10. What help her to find out mistakes and get rid of them? 11. Does Ann like her University? 12. 3. Discuss with your group-mates the importance of higher education. Does it influence our future life greatly or not?

Ex 3. Write a similar letter to your foreign friend (comment on the choice of your university).

Ex 4. Find information about a college or a university abroad. Make a report about it.

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