Topics%20for%20credit / British education
.docEducation in Great Britain
Education in Britain is compulsory (обязательный) and free for all children between the ages of 5-16, but some pupils stay at school for 2 years more – they prepare for higher (высшее) education. About 93 percent of all children go to state schools and 7 per cent go to private schools. Most independent schools are single-sex.
Administration of state schools is decentralized. The department of education and science is responsible for national education policy, but it doesn't run any schools, if doesn't employ teachers, or make curriculum (расписание) or textbooks. All schools are given some freedom. According to the law only one subject is compulsory (обязательный) - it is religious instruction.
Children get pre-school education before the age of 5 in nursery schools.
Education usually has two stages (этапы): primary and secondary education..
Primary school
Schoolchildren visit a primary school for 6 years (5 to 11 years). When students go to Secondary School at the age of 11, they do not take any examination, but their reports are sent on from the primary school Primary schools are divided into infant schools (ages 5 - 7), and junior schools (ages 7 - 11). Infant schools are informal and children learn how to read, write and count and develop the creative abilities. Primary children do all their work with the same class teacher except for PT (физкультура) and music
Secondary School
Most children – over 80 percent – go to a comprehensive school. “Comprehensive” means all-inclusive. They take pupils of all abilities. Pupils in all state schools in England and Wales study 10 main subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Information Technology. Religious education is also taught. Special tests are given at the ages of 7, 11 and 14. At the age of 16 students take the exams in as many subjects as possible. Weak students may only sit for three or four subjects. Better students take ten subjects. At the age of 16 about two thirds of these pupils leave school and get jobs. About one-third stays on at school until the age of 18 - prepare for higher education it is 6th form (класс).
The 6th Form
More ambitious pupils continue to study in the 6th form. They have only three or four main (основной) subjects, which are necessary (необходим) to pass the advanced level exams at the age of 18. The school year is divided into three terms with Christmas and Easter holidays ( each holiday lasts 2 weeks) and summer holiday which is usually six weeks long. All kinds of out-of-class activities are part of school life in Britain. Most schools have very good libraries which students use for reference work.
At the age of 18 students take school-leaving A-level (продвинутого уровня) exams and go to colleges or Universities. In GB there are about 90 universities. The oldest and the best are Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities. Most full courses in Universities last 3 years, language courses 4 years (including 1 year abroad), medicine and dentistry courses are 5-7 years. After 3 years they get a bachelor degree; to get the Master’s degree will take another 2-3 years. Students may get grants from the local authorities (местные комитеты по образованию) to help pay for books, accommodation, transport and food.
Comprehension questions:
1. At what age do British children go to school?
2. At what age do they finish secondary school?
3. How many types of schools are there in GB?
4. What schools are the most popular? What do you know of them?
5. What are public schools?
6. What do most pupils do after passing exams of O-level (обычного уровня) for general certificate of secondary education?
7. How long do students study at Universities?
8. What are the most famous Universities In GB?