Presentation. 7th grade. Compulsory education in Britain

Compulsory education in Britain

If all good people were clever and all clever people were good, the world would be nicer than ever.

Schools give basic education, help young people to choose their career,

to prepare for their future life.

They give pupils the opportunity

to develop their talents.

Education in different countries is organized differently.

Education in Britain is compulsory

and free for all children between the ages of 5-16. About 93 percent of all children are educated in state schools and the rest attend private schools.

Earlier education in Britain was divided into several stages.

The first stage was the introduction of two kinds of school: grammar schools and secondary modern schools.

Grammar schools offered a predominantly academic education and in secondary modern schools education

was more practical.

The second stage was the introduction of a new type

of school called comprehensive, a combination of grammar and secondary modern school, so that all children

could be gradually assessed and given appropriate teaching.

These schools were co-educational and offered both academic and practical subjects.

However, they lost the excellence of the

old grammar schools.

Then after 1979 school education was very much reformed.

They included the introduction of a National Curriculum 

at schools providing for certain subjects, most notably science and one modern language, to be compulsory

up to the age of 16.

The National Curriculum goal was to ensure that all children would study essential subjects and have a better all-round education. Pupils' progress in the subjects of National Curriculum is identified by written and practical tests.

Primary school.

Schoolchildren attend

a primary school for 6 years (5 to 11 years).

When students transfer

to Secondary School

at the age

of 11, they do not take

any examination, but their reports are sent on from

the Primary School.

Secondary School.

Most children – over 80 percent – go to a comprehensive school.

They admit pupils of all abilities.

Pupils in all state schools in England and Wales study 10 main subjects, among them: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, Information Technology. Religion is also taught at school. Attainment tests are given

at the ages of 7, 11 and 14.

At the age of 16 students sit

the exams in as many subjects

as possible. Weak students may only sit for three or four subjects.

Better students take

ten subjects.

At the age of 16 about two thirds of these pupils leave school

and get jobs.

About one-third stay on

at school until the age

of 18, preparing themselves

for higher education.

The 6th Form.

More ambitious pupils continue to study in the 6th form. They stay on at school for one or two years to prepare themselves for university. They sit for the General Certificate Secondary Education

at the end of the 5th-years' course.

A-level or AS-levels are taken after two years

of study in the sixth form.

They represent the main standard necessary

to enter the university or another higher

education college.

They have only three or four main subjects, which are necessary to pass the advanced level exams

at the age of 18.

The school year is divided into three terms with the vocations between them during Christmas and Easter holidays lasting about two weeks each and summer holiday which is usually six weeks long. All kinds of out-of-class activities are part of school life in Britain. Most schools have very good libraries which students use for reference work.

About 10 per cent of children attend independent public schools which are for children of rich parents,

not for the general public.

Britain's 200 public schools take fee-paying children whose parents are able to pay several thousand pounds a year. Public schools are believed to provide a better education

in comparison with state schools. They are also known

to give the right social background for top jobs in the Establishment.

Most public figures were educated in public schools.

One of the most famous and best known public schools

is Eton College.

The first education establishment of this kind was Winchester College opened in 1382, which is now very popular among the boys.

Harrow School (founded in 1571) is known to have educated Winston Churchill (1874-1965), who was

a politician, a member of Parliament (from 1900 till 1965), Britain's Prime Minister, the Nobel Prize winner,

an honorary US citizen.

One of the best-known British public schools for girls now

is Cheltenham Ladies’ College (established in 1853).

Not far from the southern city Brighton there is Roedean School known as the leading public school for girls.

Most public schools are boarding schools where students live during term-time.

The discipline in public schools

is rather strict. These may be the reasons why some wealthy people choose public schools for their children in Britain.

A great number of former public school students become the students of the most famous and prestige universities. Oxford and Cambridge Universities are the first among them.

There is a wide network of further education institutions

in Britain.

They give students the chance to increase their theoretical background and professional training.

Students may get further education after they have passed their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)

or General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) exams taken at the age of 16.

Further education includes sixth-form colleges and classes where students work for "A" (Advanced) level exams necessary to enter a university.

It also includes colleges of further education which provide

a theoretical background and professional qualification training in nursing, accountancy, management, art, music, etc.

Besides there are some vocational training courses in such fields as engineering, building, secretary skills, hairdressing and others. Many further education courses prepare people for jobs, some lead them to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other certificates and diplomas.

So-called sandwich courses offer students periods of paid work as well as periods of study.

Pupils have exams leaving secondary school and the sixth form. Some parents prefer

to pay for their children to be educated

in private schools. This private sector includes so-called public schools, some

of the names are known all over the world, for example Eton.

It provides for exceptionally fine teaching facilities, for example in science, languages, computing and design. Its students are mainly from noble and upper-class families.

The Government's vision of the education system of the 21st century is that it will neither be divertive nor based on some lowest denominator. Diversity, choice and excellence will be its hallmarks in this century.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The term "higher education" is not often used in Britain. When it is used it refers to degree courses at universities after 12 years of elementary and secondary schooling.

In order to get higher education school leavers may

hand in applications to different universities.

The final decision is taken by Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UСAS) which, in accordance with the students’ results of the "A" level exams, offers a place to this or that university. The better results of the exams are the better university or college place can be offered.

After three years of studies at the university a student may get the first degree, it is Bachelor of Arts (BA)

or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. The first degree

is usually an honours degree.

The letters BA or BSc are often added after the graduates' names. However, the title of a degree does not necessarily reflect the field in which the student

has studied.

For example at some universities the Bachelor of Arts is awarded to students in all, or almost in all, disciplines – Science, Engineering, etc., as well as Arts subjects.

Those graduates who want to continue their studies at the university may work for a Master's degree

or a Doctorate. To get a master's degree

a student needs one more year of study. After that he or she gets the degree of Master of Arts, Master of Science or Master of Business Administration.

Doctorate is the highest degree in Britain's universities. The letters "Dr" before a person's name indicate that he or she has the title of "Doctor",

the highest title at the university - PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

University teaching combines lectures, practical classes (in scientific subjects) and small group teaching in either seminars (discussion groups)

and tutorials or supervisions (run by tutors or supervisors). The teachers at the university may be: a professor (a senior member of the staff

or the person in charge of a department), lecturers (teaching and research staff) and research associates (junior academic staff).

The oldest and most famous universities

in Britain are Oxford and Cambridge.

Other not less famous and respected universities are London, Durham, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and some others.

At most universities in Britain the academic year is divided into three terms. Examinations

are not necessarily taken annually.

At many universities students study one

or two main subjects throughout their degree course. Most courses end in a series of exams called finals. At some universities the student’s work may be assessed at regular intervals,

and the results of these assessments are taken into consideration in determining the degree classification. If the student's results are

not up to the standard for an honours degree this student may be awarded a pass degree.

University education may be not only full-time but also part-time.

Some people want to get a degree but they need only evening or correspondence courses. At some universities there is

a department of continuing education which runs four, five or even more year courses

for students combining their work

and education.

There is no single body or organization responsible for the planning and

development of university education

in Britain.

All the universities and colleges are independent, self-governing institutions, although they receive substantial aid from the state through the University Grants Committee.

British universities are known

to have high standards

of professors and lecturers.

Technical equipment, made on

a solid production base, different kinds of visual aids, the internet service, TV and computers are widely used in university teaching. Students have every opportunity

for discussing, brainstorming, critical thinking and self-assessment so necessary for a person with university education.

Oxbridge

When people speak about the universities

of Oxford and Cambridge together and want

to distinguish them from other British universities they usually use the word "Oxbridge", which

is made up from the names of two universities - Oxford and Cambridge.

To use one word "Oxbridge" is quite natural because both universities do not differ greatly

and have much in common.

Oxford and Cambridge universities date back

to the Middle Ages and have always been the universities for gentlemen.

Now in both there are colleges for women.

Each university consists of a number of semi-independent colleges.

To become a student of Oxford or Cambridge one has to take an entrance exam in addition to "A" levels and after that he (she) may be accepted

at one of the university colleges.

The teaching in both universities

is based on the tutorial system. Students have tutorials called supervisions at Cambridge.

Every student has a tutor who plans his (her) work.

The student has to write essays and papers on the subjects

he (she) is studying.

The student is also required

to submit regularly the results

of his (her) work to the tutor who gives advice and helps him (her)

in time of need.

Both universities are believed

to be the best institutions to get education at.

Most graduates of Oxbridge

are former students of famous

public schools.

An Oxbridge degree is highly valued and recognized by the public and the government.

As a rule most Oxbridge graduates get leading positions

in Britain and become politicians, MPs and prime ministers.

In both universities students wear gowns.

As for Oxford students, when taking exams

or being at a degree ceremony, they have

to wear a gown on top of their academic dress consisting of a black suit or skirt, black shoes and socks or tights, a white shirt or a blouse

and a black tie.

Besides they have to put on a black hat with

a flat, square top. Cambridge students wear gowns when they become members of the university and at graduation.

The students of Oxford and Cambridge always compete with each other.

They are rivals in academic affairs, in debating and sport.

Rugby and cricket teams competitions as well as the Boat Races held each year attract public attention.