Education system in the uk

Education system in the UK is divided into four main parts:

compulsory education:

1. primary education (Years 1-6);

2. secondary education (Years 7-11);

elective education

3. further education (Sixth Form College);

4. higher education (college or university).

Schooling for children is compulsory from age 5 to 16, though children under 5 may attend nursery schools or day nurseries. Education within the maintained school system usually comprises two stages – primary and secondary education. Once a student finishes secondary educationhe/shehasthe option to extend into further education. UK students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.

To ensure that all schoolscould be standardised so all children went fromYear 1 to Year 11 in the same way and at the same time, with the same curriculum theNational Curriculumwas designed. The curriculum consists of a range of subjects. There is a minimum mandatory core of English, mathematics, combined science, physical education, religious education, and sex education, with short courses in technology (including Information Technology) and a modern foreign language. This gives schools the freedom to teach a greater range of academic or vocational subjects, such as Greek and Latin, additional modern languages (French, German, Spanish, etc.), performing or creative arts, history and geography, the three separate sciences, etc. Schools are also expected to teach Personal and Social Education (PSE), which includes Citizenship. Religious education is available in all schools although parents have the right to withdraw their children from such classes.

1. Primary education

Primary schools consist mainly of infant schools for children aged 5 to 7, junior schools for those aged 7 to 11, and sometimes combined junior and infant schools for both age groups.

Primary students pass from years one to six without examinations, though their abilities are tested at age seven. The emphasis is on learning by discovery rather than memorisation. Students learn core subjects such as English, math and science, as well as foundation subjects such as history, geography, music, art and physical education. Infant schools are largely informal; there is an emphasis on children sharing and enjoying stories, communication through role play and other games and activities, and emergent writing e.g. making shopping lists, writing prescriptions etc. In junior schools, teaching is often more formal; children there usually have set periods of statutory subjects.

In their last year of primary education, till recently, most schoolchildren had to sit for the eleven-plus examination^*. Today it is generally used as an entrance test to a specific group ofsecondary schools, rather than a blanket exam for all pupils, and is taken voluntarily.

2. Secondary education

According to the National Curriculum, the statutory subjects that all pupils must studyat this stage are art and design, citizenship, design and technology, English, geography, history, information and communication technology, mathematics, modern foreign languages, music, physical education and science. The teaching of careers education, sex education and religious education is also statutory.