British Education

All children in the U.K. MUST receive a full-time education from the age of 5 to 16. Compulsory-required; mandatory; obligatory (p. 155) Education in Britain is compulsory until the age of 16.

State schools are paid for by the government Government control “Public” schools are paid for by the students and their families (fees) More independent than government schools

Ages 5-11 Religion, English, Math, Geography, Nature Studies, Hygiene, Art, Music, and Physical Education and Foreign Language Most students go to the State Schools (95 percent)

11-16 Grammar Schools Oldest schools in UK. Top students go these schools Comprehensive Secondary Schools Most common type of secondary school (90% of students) Not as much emphasis placed on test scores Students may go to “sixth form” (Advanced Level) from the age of 16-18 if they would like to go to university.

Students pay fees (to send a student to a leading school, it may cost 41,000 RMB!) Uniforms Shaping character, a focus on classics and science

Many students take a year to figure out what they want to do with their lives Students spend the year after high school as volunteers or workers in foreign countries

Before 1950, there were less than 20 universities and less than 200,000 students By the mid-1990’s, Britain had 90 Universities Now there are 1.1 million students

Are called the “Old Universities” Started in 1167 and 1284 AD Were the only two universities in England until the 19th century Oxford is the oldest university in Britain

St. Andrews University Glasgow University University of Aberdeen Edinburgh University

Universities founded between 1830-1930 Often referred to as “red brick” universities

Began in the 1960’s Often referred to as “plate-glass” universities More “modern” approach Technical skills, etc.

Founded in 1969 Open to everyone Distance learning-classes are conducted through books, audio, the internet, and DVDs. Classes are not held on a campus! Over 70% of the students are in full-time employment

Distance learning (The Open University) (p.167) Compulsory (p. 155) State Schools (p. 155) “Public” Schools (p. 162) Primary schools (p. 156) Secondary schools (p. 158) Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate (p. 167) College vs. University (p. 166)