|
 Compulsory schooling
This part of the article does not apply to the minority of privately financed Independent Schools, which, by definition, have independent approaches to education, and different age ranges. Full-time education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 16 (inclusive) across England. This can be provided by state schools, independent schools, or homeschooling. Note that in England, compulsory schooling currently ends on the last Friday in June during the academic year in which a pupil attains the age of 16. Current government proposals are to raise the age until which students must continue to receive some form of education or training to 18. This is expected to take place by 2013.
This diagram represents the two most common for schooling in the state sector in England, involving a break at age 11 or two breaks, at ages 9 & 13. Where ages are given, it is expected that all pupils will reach the lower age given in the bracket by the 1st September of that academic year.
Primary education
Primary education in England is normally conducted through Infant and Junior schools or a combined Primary school.
-
-
Year 1, age 5 to 6
-
Year 2, age 6 to 7
-
-
Year 3, age 7 to 8
-
Year 4, age 8 to 9
-
Year 5, age 9 to 10
-
Year 6, age 10 to 11
Secondary education
Secondary education in England is normally conducted through Secondary which cover the two secondary key stages:
-
-
Year 7, age 11 to 12
-
Year 8, age 12 to 13
-
Year 9, age 13 to 14
-
In addition, some secondary schools also make provision for post-compulsory study through sixth form departments.
-
Year 12, age 16 to 17
-
Year 13, age 17 to 18
Historically, years 7 to 12/13 used to be known as 'first form' to lower/upper sixth form. There now exists a common parallel usage for 6th form only: year 12/lower 6th and year 13/upper 6th, probably due to its separate, voluntary nature and situation as the A-level years.
In some regions of England, provision is made through three-tier schooling in first (also called 'lower'), middle and upper schools.
Examinations and assessments
Under the National Curriculum system, all pupils undergo a series of tests at specific points in their education. These are known as Key Stage National Curriculum Tests and are numbered 1 to 4 as follows:
-
-
Key Stage 2 (KS2) — towards the end of Year 6 (ages 10/11)
-
Key Stage 3 (KS3) — towards the end of Year 9 (ages 13/14)
-
Key Stage 4 (KS4) — during both Year 10 and 11, mostly at the end of Year 11 (ages 14-16) — incorporated into GCSE examinations
These Key Stage exams are often referred to as SATs (Standard Assessment Tests).
Pupils wishing to progress in to a grammar school must sit an additional exam, usually the Eleven plus. The availability of grammar schools is limited by geographical location. Many areas of the country no longer have grammar schools and even less operate a Local Authority 11+ system.
Post 16 education
Both state schools and independent schools take the GCSE examinations, which mark the end of compulsory education. Above school leaving age, the independent and state sectors are similarly structured. In the 16-18 age group, "sixth-form" education is not compulsory.
Further education
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. This sector is referred to as Further Education. All 16-18 students are encouraged (this is only mandatory in some institutions) to study Key Skills in Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology.
Qualifications
There are a wide range of courses and qualifications offered, all of which are being harmonised into the National Qualifications Framework:
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. After taking 3 modules, students can choose either to continue studying the subject to obtain an A-Level, or to "cash in" the first three modules for an AS-Level. From 2008 the number of units within the system will be reduced to two at each level, comprising four in total for the award of an Advanced Level GCE. Students aiming for university entry typically study 3 or 4 subjects to A-Level and an additional (often contrasting) subject to AS-Level. Alternative vocational qualifications such as the AVCE can also be studied. Most students can expect to receive a university offer based almost entirely upon the results of their A-Levels, either with specific grades or using the UCAS Tariff.
From 2008 a new qualification called a Diploma will be offered as an alternative to the traditional GCSE or A level route, but keeping options open between vocational and academic routes. It is a qualification that can start in Years 10 and 12 or above. It has 3 levels (Foundation, Higher and Advanced) and will eventually be offered in any one of fourteen lines. The first five lines are Construction and the Built Environment, Creative and Media, Engineering, Information Technology and Society, Health and Development will be taught in schools and colleges starting in September 2008. Another five will be introduced in September 2009 (Environmental and Land-based Studies, Business, Administration and Finance, Manufacturing and Product Design, Hospitality and Catering, and Hair and Beauty). The final four will begin in September 2010 (Travel and Tourism, Public Services, Sport and Leisure, and Retail).
-
Year 12 or Lower Sixth, age 16 to 17 (AS-level examinations)
-
Year 13 or Upper Sixth, age 17 to 18 (A2-level examinations. Both AS-levels and A2-levels count towards A-levels.)
-
Vocational qualifications
Vocational qualifications offered including BTEC Awards, National Vocational Qualification (NVQs), City and Guilds qualifications and Apprenticeships.
-
Level 1 equivalent to 4 GCSEs at D-E grades.
-
Level 2 - equivalent to GCSEs at C-A*.
-
Level 3 - equivalent to A levels
-
Level 4 - Equivalent to 1st year university
-
Level 5 - Equivalent to 2nd year university
-
Level 6 - Equivalent to degree
-
Level 7 - Equivalent to higher degree
Higher education
Students normally enter University from 18 onwards and study for an Academic Degree. Apart from a single private university, all undergraduate education is largely state financed (with tuition fees set at a maximum index-linked £3,145 per year, repayable after graduation contingent on attaining a certain level of income, and with the state paying all fees for students from the poorest backgrounds), and UK students are generally entitled to student loans for maintenance. The state does not control syllabi, but it does influence admission procedures.
The typical first degree offered at British universities is the Bachelor's degree (typically three years). Many institutions now offer an undergraduate Master's degree as a first degree, typically lasting four years. During a first degree students are known as undergraduates. The difference in fees between undergraduate and traditional postgraduate Master's degrees (and the possibility of securing LEA funding for the former) makes taking an undergraduate Master's degree as a first degree a more attractive option, although the novelty of undergraduate Master's degrees means that the relative educational merit of the two is currently unclear.
Some universities offer a vocationally-based Foundation degree, typically two years in length for those students who hope to continue to take a first degree but wish to remain in employment.
Postgraduate education
Students who have completed a first degree are eligible to undertake a postgraduate degree, which includes:
Postgraduate education is not automatically financed by the State, and so admission is in practice highly competitive.
Specialist qualifications
Adult education
Adult education, Continuing education or Lifelong learning is offered to students of all ages. These can include the vocational qualifications mentioned above and also:
A large number of semi-recreational courses, with or without qualifications, are made available by Local Education Authorities under the guise of Adult Education, such as holiday languages, crafts and yacht navigation.
|
The World of English 
