Образование в Великобритании

School Education in the United Kingdom

At what age do children start school in the United Kingdom?

• The school age in England and Wales is from 5 years to 16 years.
• English children enter the reception class (first grade) of primary school in the next term after their fifth birthday. They attend primary school for seven years, where they study English, arithmetic, science, religious education, history, geography, music, art and crafts, physical education, and information technology (computers).

Types of schools in England

• There are schools run by the Government. These schools are known as State Schools and parents do not pay. They are financed by public funds, which means that the money comes from the national and local taxes. Ninety percent of children in England and Wales attend a state school.
• There are also private schools. Parents pay for their children to attend these schools. They are known as Independent Schools

Primary schools (5 - 11 )

• In the UK, the first level of education is known as primary education.

Secondary schools (5 - 16 )

• Secondary schools provide compulsory education for children between the ages of eleven and sixteen in England and Wales. Children may stay on at school until the age of eighteen in order to pursue further studies, however this is not compulsory.
• From the ages of fourteen to sixteen, pupils study for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
• Pupils who stay on at school from the ages of sixteen to eighteen in England, may take the Advanced (A) level examination, which traditionally is required for entry into higher education.

School uniform

School Uniform

School uniforms were first introduced in England by Henry VIII and were called “bluecoats” because of blue jackets.

Then the popularity of uniforms increased and most schools had them. The uniform was different according to age , gender and even season (winter and summer uniforms). Nowadays the government in England tend to encourage the use of uniforms as a means of discipline and positive behaviour.

Sport

Sport is important in English schools. It’s especially popular at private schools which have a long tradition of sport. Nearly all schools have had a sport team from the post World War II period. The most important sport games are: football , basketball, cricket , hockey , tennis , gymnastics . Some schools have special sport uniforms.

All the pupils have there own. In most British schools each pupils has two lockers: a gym locker and a hall locker. The lockers are important and guarantee the safety of the pupils’ belongings.