Education in Great Britain

British education aims to develop fully the abilities of individuals, both young
and old, for their own benefit and that of society as a whole. Compulsory
schooling takes place between the ages of 4 or 5 and 16. Some provision is
made for children under school age, and many pupils remain at school
beyond the minimum leaving age.
Parents are required by low to see that their children receive efficient full
time education, at school or elsewhere, between the ages of 5 and 16 in
Great Britain and 4 and 16 in Northern Ireland. Some 9 million children
attend Britains 34,800 state and independent schools.
The responsibility for education is distributed between central government,
local education authorities (LEAs) and the governing bodies of the schools.
Nursery education is voluntary. Some LEAs provide nursery education or
have reception classes in primary schools which last from 9 am to 3 pm.
There are some private sector nursery schools, which parents pay for.

Secondary educations
About 5% of pupils go to independent (private) schools. Of the remainder,
the vast majority (90%) attend comprehensive. These began in the 1950s,
and admit children without reference to ability or aptitude. The children
represent a total section cross-section, and all the subjects are available. In a
very few areas, children are selected according to levels of academic
attainment, and depending on their results in an exam (The 11+), go either
to a grammar school, which runs academic courses for selected pupils aged
11-18, or to a secondary modern school, which offers a more general
education for pupils up to 16, although they can stay on if they wish.

Exams
The exams that pupils take used to be as follows: GCE (General Certificate of
Education), O Level (Ordinary), taken at 16 in a number of subjects (average
six), CSE (Certificate of Secondary Education), also taken at 16, but easier

than O Level, GCEA Level (Advanced) taken at 18 in fewer subjects, usually

three or four.
In 1988, O Level and CSEs were phased out and replaced with GCSEs
(General Certificate of Secondary Education), taken at 16. There are more
practical, with less emphasis on retaining facts and more on the application
of them. Assessment is continuous, with at least 20% of coursework counting
toward the efinal grade. A Levels continue unchanged.

Curriculum
The curriculum is decided by LEAs and the schools governing body, although
the governments are moving towards national criteria for syllabuses. Schools
must provide teaching in England mathematics, science, religious education,
physical education, humanities, some practical and some aesthetic activities.
Most pupils learn a foreign language.

After 16
About 50% of children continue their education after 16, some in schools and
others in colleges of further education and technical colleges. For entrance to
a university, pupils need at least two A Levels, but usually universities ask for
three. About 5% of children go to university. Courses usually last for three
years, at the end of which students are awarded a degree (Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor of Science). Postgraduate degrees are MA (Master of Arts), MSc
(Master of Science) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Polytechnics offer
academic subjects and training for particular jobs, which result in either a
degree, a certificate or a diploma. They have close links with commerce and
industry. Students receive the LEAs, which are not repaid. The size of the
grant depends on the students or the parents means. Student loans may be
introduced shortly and may eventually replace grants.