Education in the UKJane Coates

Education in the UK is divided into:

Compulsory education lasts for 11 years (from 5 – 16 years old).

primary , secondary , further and higher (5 - 11years) (11 - 16 years) (16 - 18 years) (18+ years)

Most schools are comprehensive (education is free & entrance to schools is not selective),others are Grammar Schools (pupils are

required to pass an entrance exam & pay fees).

Further education is free but higher education is expensive - loans are offered, which students repay once they are working.

The UK’s National Curriculum

A standard framework for teaching and learning was introduced in 1988 and is used for all children aged5 to 16 years old, in all state-maintained schools.

The curriculum sets out:

• the subjects taught (English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, ICT, Art, PE, RE and PHSCE)

•knowledge, skills and understanding required

• attainment targets

• how progress is assessed and reported

Key Stages

The National Curriculum is divided into 4 Key Stages:

Foundation Stage 4 years old

Key Stage 1: 5 – 7 years old

Key Stage 2: 7 – 11 years old

Key Stage 3: 11 – 14 years old

Key Stage 4: 14 – 16 years old

Pupils are assessed by standard National Curriculum tests at the end of each Key Stage.

The School Day

08:30 - 09:00 the school day usually starts

mornings start by taking the register

primary education – one teacher for the class, teaches all subjects

secondary education – teachers have specialised subjects, lessons are timetabled by subject.

further education – students specialise in 4 subject areas.

15:00 - 15:30 the school day finishes

The School Yearruns from September to July.

There are 3 terms – Autumn, Spring and Summer.

There is a 2 week break for Christmas, a 2 week break for Easter and a long 6 week holiday in the summer.

Further education-16-19 Years of age

• Students will typically study in either the Sixth Form of a School, a Sixth Form College, or a Further Education College. These courses can also be studied by adults over 18.

Academic qualifications• The main academic qualification available to 16-18 year

olds is the Advanced Level GCE. An A-Level consists of 6 modules in each subject, three of which are typically taken in the first year.

• Students aiming for university entry typically study 3 or 4 subjects to A-Level and an additional subject to AS-Level.

• Most students can expect to receive a university offer based almost entirely upon the results of their A-Levels.

Secondary Education

• Both state schools and independent schools take the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations, which mark the end of compulsory education.

• In the 16-18 age group, education is not compulsory and the independent and state schools are very similar in terms of their curriculum.

Different kinds of schools

• Community and foundation special schools – cater for children with specific special educational needs, such as physical or learning difficulties.

• Church and faith schools – follow a religious education curriculum and religion-centred admissions criteria and staffing policies.

• Independent schools Independent schools are not required to teach

the national curriculum and have their own admissions policies, but have to be regularly monitored for standards either by Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

Being a Teacher in the UK

Teaching is a graduate position – teachers must have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in order to teach.

Newly qualified teachers can expect to start on a salary of approximately £24,000 per year.

Teachers are paid according to a pay scale set by the Government, depending on their performance, position and experience.

Levels progress: Classroom Teacher Subject Leader (Head of Department / Curriculum Coordinator) Deputy Headteacher Headteacher

Pay and benefits

• There are new challenges every day for a Teacher!

• Teachers in the UK are well paid. The experience and performance of the Teacher can see them achieve a rapid progression and enjoy good salaries.

Contemporary Issues

• League Tables

• The Overloaded Curriculum

• Teacher Workload

• Behaviour

• Class Sizes

• Refugee and Asylum-seeking Pupils

A Comparison of UK

and Chinese

Education Systems

UK System

School is compulsory & free from 5 to 16 years.

The National Curriculum

3 Terms – Autumn, Spring and Summer

Length of the School Day

Routes into teaching / teacher training

Retirement age

Salary

Class size

League tables

Inclusion – Every Child Matters

Chinese System

9 years of compulsory and free education

School phases: Primary (6 to 12 years), Middle School (12 to 15 years), Senior / High School (15 to 18 years)

Kindergarten is available to some pupils

2 Terms – Spring and Autumn, with a Winter break and a Summer break

Entry exams to the Senior High Schools, College and University now include a test in oral English

There are Private fee paying schools

Considerable pressure to succeed

Major Differences

Class size

Learning by first hand experience

Room arrangements / size / laboratories

Use of computers

Assembly / act of worship

Inclusion - special educational needs

Teaching support

Teachers do not retire at 55 in the UK.

Secondary Education

• Grammar schools – select all or almost all of their pupils based on academic ability.

• Special Units/Pupil referral units – cater for children of compulsory school age who may otherwise not receive a suitable education

Secondary Education

• Academies – all-ability, secondary schools established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups in partnership with central government and LAs. They either replace one or more existing schools facing challenging circumstances or are established where additional school places are needed.

• City technology colleges (CTCs) – publicly funded independent schools for pupils aged 11 to 18 which teach the national curriculum with a specific focus on science, mathematics and technology. They offer a wide range of vocational qualifications alongside GCSEs and A-levels.

Vocational or academic route for 14-19 year olds?

Diplomas- traditional and work-relevant learning. They will combine essential skills, relevant experience and applied learning to provide an excellent training for careers. Diplomas are offered as an alternative to the traditional GCSE or A level route.

• Subjects available -Construction and the Built Environment, Creative and Media, Engineering, Information Technology and Society, Health and Development, Environmental and Land-based Studies, Business, Administration and Finance, Manufacturing and Product Design, Hospitality and Catering, and Hair and Beauty. Travel and Tourism, Public Services, Sport and Leisure, and Retail will also be offered in the future.