3. A) Read the text about British educational system and add to the table above the information which hasn’t been mentioned in Exercise 2b. School education in Britain

Education in Great Britain is overseen by the Department for Education. Local authorities (LAs) take responsibility for implementing policy for public education and state schools at a local level.

The education system is divided into pre-school education (ages 3–4), primary education (ages 5–11), secondary education (ages 11–16/18) and higher education (ages 18+).

Full-time education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 16, either at school or otherwise, with a child beginning primary education during the school year he or she turns 5. Children are normally placed in year groups determined by the age they will attain at their birthday during the school year. In most cases progression from one year group to another is based purely on chronological age, although it is possible in some circumstances for a student to repeat or skip a year. Repetition may be due to a lack of attendance, for example from a long illness, and especially in years requiring standard tests. A child significantly more advanced than their classmates may be forwarded one or more years.

Primary education is realized at primary schools. The majority of primary schools are mixed or co-educational schools where boys and girls study together in the same buildings and classes. They are subdivided into infant schools (ages 5 to 7), and junior schools (ages 7 to11). In junior schools pupils are often placed in A, B, C or D-streams, according to their abilities. In the vast majority of cases, pupils progress from primary to secondary levels at age 11. A few areas have three-tier education systems with first school, middle school (ages 9 to13) and upper school. Students may continue their secondary studies for a further two years in the sixth form, leading to A-level qualifications.

It is very difficult to generalize particular types of schools as schools differ from one to the other. However, there are two types of schools in the UK: state-funded and independent (privately-funded) schools.

State-funded schools (they are often referred to as comprehensive schools) are financed through national taxation, and take pupils free of charge between the ages of 5 and 18 irrespective of their academic achievement or aptitude. The schools may levy charges for activities such as swimming, theatre visits and field trips, provided the charges are voluntary, thus ensuring that those who cannot afford to pay are allowed to participate in such events. Approximately 93% of English schoolchildren attend such schools.

A significant minority of state-funded schools are religious schools, which are attached to religious groups, most often the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church.

There is also a small number of state-funded boarding schools, where children not only study during the term time but also live together with their classmates and teachers. They typically charge for board but not tuition.

England also has a tradition of independent schooling, but parents may choose to educate their children by any suitable means. There are approximately 2,600 independent schools in the UK. Most of them are single-sex or boys’ schools and girls’ schools. Approximately 7% of schoolchildren in England attend privately run fee-paying independent schools but more and more parents seem prepared to take on the formidable extra cost of the education. The reason is their belief that social advantages are gained from attending a certain school.

Independent schools for 8-13 year olds are referred to as prep schools. They prepare children for entry into British public schools or other secondary level independent schools. Some independent schools for 13-18 year olds are known for historical reasons as public schools. They set their own curricula and are funded by student fees. The most expensive public schools are day or boarding schools, which are exclusive like Eton college for boys and St. James’ school for girls. The best known all over the world independent schools are Eton and Harrow, which have long maintained a distinguished reputation. These schools for centuries have prepared students academically for higher education, typically at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and ultimately for leadership in British life. Although British education is accused of reinforcing invidious social distinctions, these institutions remain popular. They provide exceptionally fine teaching facilities, for example, in science, languages, computing and design. Their students are largely from aristocratic and upper-class families.

Some independent schools offer scholarships for those with particular skills or aptitudes, or bursaries to allow students from less financially well-off families to attend. Independent schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum, and their teachers are not required by law to have official teaching qualifications.

b) Make up five true and five false sentences about the educational system in Britain. Compare your ideas with your partner.

Example:

A: – Progression from one year group to another is based purely on the child’s academic achievements.

B: – No, it’s not true. It depends purely on his chronological age.