17th. February 2017

Is school education the same throughout the United Kingdom?

There are fundamental similarities. For instance, all boys and girls must attend full-time education until the age of 16. Many pupils stay on at school after that age to prepare themselves for university or other careers. In the independent schools, most pupils stay at school until the age of 18 and nearly all pupils go on to university after they leave school.

There are also significant divergences between practice in England and Wales, on the one hand, and Scotland.

In England and Wales, the government introduced a National Curriculum in 1988. This provides a framework for education between the ages of 5 - 18. All state schools are required to follow it. Independent schools are not required to follow the National Curriculum in all its details, but they must show that they provide a good all-round education and they are inspected regularly every few years.

How many subjects do HMC Projects scholars study?

i) Advanced levels: For the Advanced Level programme (Key Stage 5), nearly all pupils study three or, exceptionally, four subjects for two years and take examinations in these only at the end of the second year. They may also take one or even two additional subjects for one year only at Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level and take examinations in these at the end of the year. Some schools will offer examinations at AS level to pupils in those subjects they are studying for A level at the end of the first year of the two-year course. Universities use Advanced Levels as entry qualifications.

ii) Scottish Highers: Students will take at least five subjects at Higher Level, reducing to three or four for their Advanced Higher courses.

iii) International Baccalaureate (IB): Increasing numbers of HMC schools are taking pupils for the International Baccalaureate, which is a parallel course to Advanced Levels and equally well used by universities for entry qualifications. The IB requires students to take courses in six subjects, three at higher level and three at lower level. Students are also required to take a course in the theory of knowledge, to write a long essay and to undertake some community service. This course is very similar to the Baccalaureate courses which are commonly studied in Europe.

How is the daily timetable organised?

Each school organises its timetable differently. Lessons might last 35, 40, 45, 55 or 60 minutes! For each subject, a student will attend classes for about 5 hours a week, and is also expected to undertake at least 6 hours private study. Students will usually also attend classes in General Studies, or Philosophy, or other similar subjects. There will also be time given to Physical Education or Sport, whether or not these are taken as subjects for studying. In England and Wales and in some Scottish schools the two years of Advanced Level, or International Baccalaureate study are often called "Sixth Form", but - once again - each school is different!

What activities are organised outside lessons?

Along with sport, schools offer a substantial programme of "extra-curricular activities"; that is, activities which are able to offer students a wide range of experiences, intellectual, cultural and relaxing. Music, drama, science and literary societies are offered in all schools, and there will be opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities. Visits to theatres and concerts, to places relevant to the courses of study (such as art galleries and museums, religious centres or historical sites, scientific companies and projects) are all part of life in a school Sixth Form.

参考资料

The English education system has an excellent reputation with students from the UK and around the world attending school here. The system is overseen by the Department for Education and the Department for Business - Innovation and Skills. Local authorities (LAs) are responsible for implementing policy for public education and state schools at a regional level.

The British school system

Education is mandatory from ages 5 to 16 (to be raised to 18 in 2013 for 16-year-olds and 2015 for 17-year-olds). Students may then continue their secondary studies for two years (sixth form), with most students taking A-level qualifications. Other qualifications and courses include Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Cambridge Pre-U.

The 2 systems are the States schools and the independent schools (or Public schools). The State schools get State funds and are regulated by a Local Education Authority. Most of the State schools are either Comprehensive, Foundation or Grammar schools and Free Schools (set-up by local parents and run by organisations, like Foundation schools).

A Comprehensive school is a secondary school that does not select children on the basis of academic attainment or aptitude.

Grammar schools : selective school through the 11 plus exam (about 10% of "gifted" children pass the exam). The system is often blamed for elitism.

Independent schools or Public schools : private schools, charge fees.

A the end of the compulsory period at 16, all students pass the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exam. If it's successful it's then possible to attend a 2 year preparation in a College or a Sixth Form Centre (in State schools or Public schools) to pass the A-Levels. Pupils choose usually 3 subjects to pass for their exam and get a notation with the highest grade being A.

About 90% of the English pupils are in State schools. But be careful: they can be very good or a disaster! You better double check the quality of the schools you are about to choose. Performance of the school to the GCSE and A-levels exams for example may be helpful.

Stages of Education

The education system is divided into:

Nursery (ages 0–3) and Pre-school Nursery (ages 3–4)

Primary education (ages 4–11)

Secondary education (ages 11–18)

Tertiary education (ages 18+)

Early Education

From 0 to 3, Children can attend nursery schools. They are private schools and can be very expensive in London, in average (depending on location) from £50/day to £120/day. Once you have booked specific days per week (from 1 to 5) it is not possible to change them (you may be able to swap days on specific occasion with a fee) and it is expected that you will pay the nursery 12 months a year (even when your child is on holiday or sick). You can stop the nursery with a 1 to 3 months notice. Time for nursery may vary, usually 8am to 6.30pm (some of them only open from 9am to 3:15pm).

All providers are regulated, inspected and reports are available on the Office for Standards in Education

Children aged 3 to 4 are entitled to a free nursery school (the pre-school grant is paid by the Council and may be worth ~£2300/year). Formal primary education begins in the year they turn 5. The school year begins on 1 September (or 1 August if a term starts in August).

State primary schools are free, but their admission is usually subject to a catchment area (this process resulting into the usual question: "Where in London should you move for the best state primary schools?"), which can be very small for popular schools with best results to Ofsted inspection (sometime only a few hundred meters). All maintained schools in England are required to follow the National Curriculum, which is made up of twelve subjects. The core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science are compulsory for all students aged 5 to 16.

Secondary School

Pupils progress from primary to secondary levels at age 11. A few areas have three-tier education systems with an intermediate middle level from age 9 to 13.

Under the National Curriculum, all pupils undergo National Curriculum Tests (NCTs) towards the ends of Key Stage 2 in the core subjects of Literacy, Numeracy and Science. Pupils normally take GCSE exams in the last two years of Key Stage 4, but may also choose to work towards the attainment of alternative qualifications, such as the GNVQ.

The Sixth Form (sometimes referred to as Key Stage 5) describes the years 12 and 13 of the schooling system. This the final (optional) two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age, prepare for their A-level (or equivalent) examinations.

Private School

Private Schools can offer an elevated environment of learning for some students. Other schools offer a specialty focus that may be worth paying extra for. It is important to visit a school to determine the best fit for you and your child. Most private schools have open days for prospective parents, but it is wise to ask to make an appointment to visit on a normal working day. Questions you may want to ask:

Special needs: Does the school have facilities and suitably qualified and experienced staff to look after any special needs your child may have? Is there a program for gifted and talented children or special provision for those with physical disabilities? Is their a language requirement that could aid your child?

Curriculum: Is it broad and balanced? Will your child have an adequate range of options? Are there specialist teachers?

The staff: How well qualified are they? Is there reasonable staff stability? Do the teachers stay long in post?

Extra activities: Does the school offer an exciting extra-curricular activities programme that will stimulate your child's interest? If you are considering boarding school, you will want to know what activities the school provides for children in the evening and at weekends.

Exam results: High in the "league tables" indicates success with standardized tests

ACS Hillingdon International School

Address: Hillingdon, London UB10 0BE

Aston House School

Address: 10 Montpelier Road, Ealing, London, W5 2PQ

Buxlow Prepatory School

Address: 5/6 Castleton Gardens, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7QJ

City of London School

Address: Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 3AL

Donhead

Address: Donhead Lodge, 33 Edge Hill, Wimbledon, London SW19 4NP

Herne Hill School

Address: The Old Vicarage, 127 Herne Hill, London SE24 9LY

More House School

Address: 22-24 Pont Street, London SW1X 0AA

Norfolk House School

Address: 10 Muswell Avenue, Muswell Hill, London, N10 2EG

Queenswood

Address: Shepherd's Way, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 6NS

RIMU Music Prepatory School

Address: 95 Old Dover Road, Blackheath, London, SE38SJ

St. Christopher's Prepatory School

Address: 71 Wembley Park Drive, Wembley Park, London, HA9 8HE

Fees

Fees range from school to school so make sure to compare. There are occasional grants and scholarships for worthy students, but they are competitive. Ask at the school for opportunities.

Example of prices per term:

Pre-Prep (age 2/3-7): 1000 to 1500 GBP

Junior/Prep (age 7-11/13) Day Classes: 1,400 to 4,250 GBP

Junior/Prep (age 7-11/13) Boarding: 2,055 to 5,010 GBP

Senior (age 11/13-18) Day Classes: 3,360 to 5,390 GBP

Senior (age 11/13-18) Boarding: 5,640 to 8,360 GBP

Extra activities like instrumental instruction, school uniforms, or school trips may require additional fees. Many private schools have their own second-hand shops selling uniforms and other supplies.

Boarding Schools

The world models boarding schools on the classic British boarding school. There is usually a dormitory, the refectory, and the study hall. Boarding schools may be all-boarding or flexible boarding, or offer weekly boarding. This allows students the opportunity to return home on weekends or only stay at the school occasionally. Boarding schools were declining during the 1990's, but have received a small revival which may be due to the "Harry Potter" effect.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB program is offered by a number of private schools. It is taught under the supervision of the International Baccalaureate Organisation. All students study languages, social science, experimental science, mathematics and arts.

The IB is divided into three programmes covering the following age ranges:

Primary Years Programme (PYP) ages 3-12

Middle Years Programme (MYP) ages 11-16

Diploma Programme (DP) ages 16-18

University studies in England

Many elite universities are in England. British universities are known for their illustrious history and research output. Students normally enter university at age 18 and a bachelor's degree is usually awarded after four years of study.

"A" Level : it is a group of certificates according to the choice of the student. Getting 3 certificates allows to continue at University level.

Short Cycle

Long Cycle

Higher National Diploma: 2 years

First degree: only honours will allow the student to go to Higher Degrees.

Ordinary Degree :

B.Eng (Bachelor of Engineering): 1 additional year in Scotland and called Ordinary Degree with honours)

B.Art (Bachelor of Art)

B.Sc (Bachelor of Science)

Diploma or Certificate: 1 year

Post Graduate:

Master's Degree by research: 1 to 2 years with dossier presentation

Master Degree

M.Eng (Master of Engineering)

M.Art (Master of Art)

M.Sc (Master of Science)

Master's Degree by instruction: 1 year with an exam at the end

Doctor's Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): 3 years of research

Doctor of Letters and Doctor of Science: grant a group of works and articles published

Admission

The state does not control university syllabi, but it influences admission procedures through the Office for Fair Access (OfFA). The universities in the United Kingdom share an undergraduate admission system. Applications must be made by October 15th for admissions to Oxford and Cambridge and by January 15th for admissions to other UK universities.

University of Oxford - Located in Oxford, this is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Most undergraduate teaching at Oxford is organized around weekly tutorials at self-governing colleges and halls, supported by classes, lectures and laboratory work organized by University faculties and departments. Oxford regularly contends with Cambridge for first place in the league tables and is consistently ranked in the world's top 10 universities.

University of Cambridge - The seventh-oldest university globally, the university grew out of an association of scholars in the city of Cambridge. Cambridge ranks as one of the most prestigious universities in the world with graduates of the University winning a total of 65 Nobel Prizes.

University College London - This is a public research university located in London. It is the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London. UCL's main campus is located in the Bloomsbury area of Central London.

Imperial College London - Officially known as the Imperial College of Science, this is a public research university located in South Kensington in London.

London School of Economics - The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university. Based in Westminster, it is among the world's most selective universities.

Library

London's scholarly reputation is not without merit. The city has a distinguished literary tradition and many fine libraries.

The London Library - The London Library is the UK's leading literary institution and the world's largest independent lending library. It offers more than one million books with a collection spanning works from the 16th century to the latest publications. Membership is open to everyone on payment of an annual subscription.

Other libraries can be found on the City of London's Libraries. The site includes locations, a mobile app, and free audiobook downloads.

2. Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages

So you will be leaving Sixth Form soon and have to decide whether to take that place at University or join the world of work.

For a lucky few, your chosen career path is clear: you wish to be an doctor and you need to go to Uni, plain and simple. For others – probably the majority of students, the next few years are a blank canvas, and you are left wondering whether investing three or four years is University is likely to pay the dividends you are looking for.

Before you make the decision, you should take time to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of going to University. This blog post sets out to give you some of the questions you should be asking yourself.

Advantages

– The chance to specialise: If you have a passionate love for history, you dream of a career as a barrister or you are a budding Stephen Hawking, University is an ideal place to encounter great thinkers. If you are lucky enough to encounter lecturer and tutors who are as passionate about your field as you are, it can be intensely rewarding. Your Professors will accompany you along the most important areas of your subject provide important reading lists and keep you abreast of new developments in your chosen subject. It is no wonder that most graduates look back on their University days as the most mentally stimulating of their life.

– University is a good investment: Despite the high fees many Universities in the UK can charge (currently £9,000), a tertiary education continues to pay dividends. The Office for National Statistics indicates that graduates are more likely to be employed than those with a lower-standard education. Indeed, non-graduates aged 21 to 30 have consistently higher unemployment rates.

Graduates also have the lion’s share of skilled jobs and the choice of University is relevant as well: graduates from top Universities earn higher salaries than those from other institutions. You should be aware that the rewards for study are likely to come later: on average, graduates aged 21 earn a lower gross annual wage than students who opt for an apprenticeship. This is owing to the fact that new University graduates will have just entered the labour market or may take time to find a job in their chosen field.

It all levels out in time, though: those with apprenticeships earn less than graduates from age 25 onwards. According to Labour Force Survey figures, over a 40-year working lifetime, a graduate will earn £415,320 more than those who have not studied for a degree. Net lifecycle earnings are increased by 28 per cent for male graduates, and by 53 per cent for female graduates.

– Meet new people: If you have been at the same secondary school for the past seven years, chances are, you are used to moving in the same social circle. University offers the chance to encounter people of all ages and from different backgrounds, which can broaden your horizons and enlighten you on different habits, customs and ways of thinking. University offers the unique opportunity to meet people from other countries and to immerse yourself in their culture and traditions.

– University can teach you about entrepreneurship: The QAA report, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education: Guidance for UK Higher Education Providers , highlights the important role good Universities can play, not just in creating experts in specialist fields, but also in instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in students. After all, if you have invested a great deal of time and money in your education, you should develop the skills you need to make the most of your degree, by being aware of your capacity to manage and exploit your intellectual assets, or even consider self-employment or the establishment of a start-up business!

– The value of independence: University can boost your confidence in your own abilities, especially if you opt for an institution which is far from your hometown. Tasks that may seem arduous (doing your own cooking, ironing, shopping) are actually great teachers of skills like time management and budgeting. Moving away from home for the first time also teaches you to establish your own limits (curfews, visits which are or aren’t allowed to your home, etc.). Being independent likewise encourages you to be responsible with your freedom.

– Finding new interests: University offers such a wide range of activities, opportunities and incentives that you will be hard pressed to keep your choice of extra-curricular activities to a minimum. Hone your skills in writing by joining the editorial staff of the student newspaper or sign up for a film club or equal opportunities group. University is as much about discovering yourself and others, as it is about obtaining a degree; make the most of this unique opportunity and aim to have fun while you learn.

– A positive outlook: It seems that opting for a University education has positive effects on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. A study commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has found that graduates are les likely to suffer from depression, obesity or an addiction to smoking. They are also more likely to vote, help their children in the pursuit of an education and enjoy a higher sense of wellbeing.

Interestingly, a study carried out in the USA has found that graduates with a bachelor’s degree have a life expectancy of almost nine years longer than those who have not obtained a high school diploma. Graduates also tend to be more integrated into their respective communities, becoming involved in volunteering and other pursuits, which are beneficial to the community at large.

Disadvantages

– Irrelevance to your future career: If your chosen job does not require University training, then a find a three- or four-year stint in University may be a waste of time.

– The Expense: The thought of graduating with a student debt of £27,000 can discourage many students from pursuing a tertiary education. Indeed, BBC news recently reported that the rise in fees had led to a 17 per cent drop in UK undergraduates. The case is especially grim for part-time students, who are more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds to begin with, and who may find the fees simply too high to afford.

I hope that you have found this Jane Book possibly provided some food for thought in your decision whether to go to University.