Secondary state education

Children begin their secondary education at about eleven years of age. There are different types of secondary schools in England and Wales. The most popular and mostly often used by pupils are comprehensive schools. These are large state secondary schools for boys and girls of all abilities aged 11-16 (or - 18). Comprehensive schools were introduced in the 1960s with the aim to replace the system of dividing children between more academic (grammar) and less academic (secondary modern) schools.

Before the introduction of comprehensive schools children at the age of 11 used to sit for the 11 plus examinations. The examinations consist of an Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.) test, an English test and an arithmetic test. An intelligence test includes a large number of short questions and it mainly measures the inborn abilities of a child and not what he has learned at school.

Then children who passed the exam would be sent to the grammar school which provide education of an academic type and a large number of grammar school children go on to universities; the other children would go to the secondary modern schools which give a general education with a practical bias. But selection at such an early age as 11 was strongly criticized by many educationalists and teachers. Now the 11 plus is forced out and children can enter comprehensive schools which are open to all children whatever their intellectual ability may be.

By the end of the 20th century most local education authorities had changed to the comprehensive system. Some grammar schools that remained have become independent of the local authorities. There are also some secondary schools that offer an introduction to vocational training.

In comprehensive schools teaching is done in mixed ability classes. It means that children of all abilities are put in one class so you will have less able children, more able children and average children all in one class.

Different methods of grouping children within a school are used. One of the ways is the system known as “streaming”. This means that children of the same age are put into different groups or “streams” according to their level of general ability. There may be any number of streams up to nine or more depending on the size of the school.

According to the National Curriculum, introduced in 1988, children at the age of 7, 11, 14 and 16 are tested. At the age of 16 most children take some sort of public examination. These examinations are taken at the same time throughout the country. At present there are two forms of examination at 16. There is the GCE (General Certificate of Education, “O” /ordinary/ level examination) and CSE examination (the Certificate of Secondary Education). Science pupils study Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (Maths), Economics, Technical Drawing, Biology, Geography. Besides, secondary school students must do general education subjects like Physical Education (PE), Home Economics for girls and Technical subjects for boys, General Science and Computers which take the leading position in education. Usually pupils are graded into eight levels for all subjects except art, music and physical education.

At 16 the compulsory education finishes. Children then may choose to leave school and go to work. Children who stay on at school are to take what is called GCE – “A” /advanced/ level. This course lasts for 2 years, pupils choose three subjects and are examined in these three subjects at the end of two years when they are 18.

If pupils have some learning difficulties or they are handicapped their parents may be given an official document saying that the child has special educational needs. Some handicapped children may attend ordinary secondary school, others attend maintained special schools. Special education is intended to enable handicapped children to overcome their difficulties so that they may, as far as possible, take their place in society.

The choice of a secondary school depends on children's abilities and health, their parents’ wishes, and what schools are closer to their houses.

Exercise 2. Read the sentences translating Russian words and word combinations into English.

1. Usually pupils (делятся) into eight levels for all subjects except art, music and physical education.

2. Some (недееспособные) children may attend ordinary secondary school, others attend maintained special schools.

3. The choice of a secondary school depends on children’s (способности) and (здоровье).

4. They (принимают) pupils who successfully passed examinations at the age of 11.

5. Grammar schools teach more academic subjects than (общеобразовательные) schools.

6. Why are children separated into different (потоки)?

Exercise 3. Put the sentences in the right order.

1. In the 20^th century authorities changed to the comprehensive system.

2. There are different types of secondary schools.

3. The choice of schools depends on parents.

4. There are secondary schools that offer vocational training

5. Grammar schools admit those who passed exams successfully.

Exercise 4. Expand the following.

1. There are large secondary schools for boys and girls.

2. Grammar schools still exist now.

3. Children at the age 7, 11, 14 and 16 are tested.

4. Science students study different subjects.

5. Some subjects take leading position in education.

6. There are two examination systems.

Text 4

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text.