THE BRITISH EDUCATION SYSTEM

What percentage of children in Britain go to state schools?

A around 90%

B about 50%

C less than 10%

PRO AND AGAINST

Approximately 90% of children in Britain attend state schools, which are funded and managed by the government.

often jobs in the political field are secured from people that went to independent schools not state.

PRO private

-            Enriched Opportunities: Customized curricula, expert teachers, and extracurricular activities

-            Small Class Sizes

-            Safe Environment

-            Parental Involvement

-            Excellent Resources: Superior facilities and equipment enhance learning and extracurricular exploration.

-            Strong Academic Results: Private school students often outperform peers, gaining access to top universities and leadership roles.

-            Economic Contributions: Attract international students, boosting the economy.

-            Freedom of Choice: Support for parental liberty to choose quality education, even at the cost of some inequality.

AGAINST

-            Britain has low social mobility; background heavily influences life opportunities.

-            Private schools help wealthy families widen the opportunity gap.

-            Just 7% attend private schools, yet they dominate top professions (judges, doctors, editors).

-            This entrenched(radicata) inequality damages social cohesion and fairness.

-            This is about addressing structural inequality, not punishing success.

-            True meritocracy is impossible while wealth buys opportunity.

-            Banning private schools could help level the playing field for all children.

What did the Education Act (Butler Act) introduce?

1944

• Made secondary education free for all up to age 15

• Created the Tripartite System: Grammar, Technical, Secondary Modern

• Introduced 11+ exam for school placement

what’s the compulsory leaving age?

raised from 16 to 18 in 2015 England and Wales

how is the school year organised

3 terms, with breaks in between.(half-term h)

1)     Most British children between the ages of five and eleven go to…schools. Children before 5?

A elementary

B prep

C primary

primary (y1-6)

Nursery

What is a Prep School?

A a kind of kindergarten

B a fee-charging primary school for kids up to the age of 13

C a school for exceptionally talented pupils

A fee-charging school for children up to age 13, often emphasizing academic preparation for secondary education.

Most British children between the ages of eleven and sixteen go to…schools.

A comprehensive

B grammar

C technical

comprehensive secondary schools.(y 7-11)

What is the 11+?

A   A selective entrance examination used by state-funded grammar schools

B   A selective entrance examination used by state-funded grammar schools and independent schools

C   A selective entrance examination used by independent schools

A selective entrance exam for grammar schools(academic s), assessing students' abilities in various subjects, typically taken at age eleven.

Or secondary modern schools:practical and technical

now: most go to comprehensive schools

What is the National Curriculum?

A   a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things

B   a set of subjects and standards used by secondary schools so children learn the same things

C   a set of subjects and standards used by primary schools so children learn the same things

INTRODUCTION

A framework outlining the subjects and content to be taught in schools in England, ensuring a standardized education for children ages 5 to 16.

Introduced in 1998

What is the name of ‘High School’ in the UK?

A Higher education

B Secondary school

C Middle school

Secondary school, where students typically attend from ages eleven to sixteen, similar to high school in other countries.

Which exam do British children take at the age of 16?

A A levels

B GCSE

C 11+

The GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is an examination taken by students at age 16, assessing their knowledge in various subjects.

GRADES

What is a comprehensive school? (Two answers are correct)

A   A school for children of all abilities above the age of eleven

B   A school that serves a certain geographical area

C   A school for children whose parents can afford paying high school fees

A type of secondary school in the UK that accepts students of all abilities, offering a broad range of subjects.

At which of these places could you NOT study for A-levels? (Two answers are correct)

A further education college

B sixth form college

C secondary school

A further education college

C secondary school

year 12: AS(advanced Subsidiary)

13: A2

What is a Further Education College? (Two answers are correct)

A a college that offers mainly vocational subjects

B a college where adults may study professional part time courses in the evening

C a college where international students are not admitted

A post-secondary institution in the UK that provides vocational education and training for students, typically focusing on skills for specific careers. Furthermore, they often offer part-time courses for adults, including professional development.

After the first three years of higher education, which qualification does one get?

A Master’s degree

B Bachelor’s degree

C Doctorate

A Bachelor’s degree, representing the completion of undergraduate studies.

The Government directly finance higher education students through…

A scholarships

B loans

C grants

loans

grants: Financial aid given based on need or specific criteria. No repayment

·        Loans cover tuition fees (up to £9,250/year) and living costs (via maintenance loans).

·        Repayment starts only after earning over £27,288/year; repayments are 9% of the income above that.

·        Repayments stop if income drops, or you lose your job.

·        Debt is cleared after 30 years or once fully repaid.

·        Low earners pay little or nothing; high earners contribute more.

·        Criticisms include high costs, insufficient support for living expenses, and large debt burdens.

·        Scottish students don't pay tuition fees in Scotland; others do.

·        Maintenance loan amounts depend on the living situation and are means-tested.

The Open University is

A another name for Oxbridge

B the full name for ‘redbrick’ universities

C distance higher education

a distance learning institution in the UK that provides flexible higher education opportunities to students who can’t attend.

started in 1969

first in the world

distance education: radio,television,written coursebooks,cassettes now internet

tutors and residential courses

Its mission was to bring to a degree level students of all ages (especially people who study alongside work).

Difference Diploma Course vs Certificate?

• Certificate Course: Generally shorter (a few weeks to acquire new skills) usually after uni

gap year vs sabbatical

• sabbatical year: for people who are already working

What are the main types of universities in the UK and when were they established?

• Oxbridge: Oxford & Cambridge – oldest(medieval), made up of colleges

  tutorials (one-two-one/small groups, produce an essay, discuss tutor)

• Redbrick/civic universities: Built in industrial cities(Manchester) after the Industrial Revolution(1850-1930)

  made of bricks

• WW2-1960S rural

• New universities: Many were former polytechnics (1992)

More modern in structure and curriculum