The British educational system is considered ideal, and some countries are guided by it. A striking example is Canadian and Australian education.
All educational institutions in England are divided into private and public – this is a distinctive feature of the British system. Schools are different from Russian schools: they do not follow the same program. The student has the opportunity to choose the one in which he can better prepare for admission to a particular department.
The education system in England has the following structure:
- Elementary School – primary education, from 5 to 11 years;
- Secondary School: secondary education, from 11 to 16 years;
- Further Education: post-secondary education, from 16 to 18 years;
- Higher Education: higher education from the age of 18.
An important feature of the British system is strong pre-school education. Here children acquire knowledge and learn discipline. In higher education it is possible not only to complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, but also to obtain other types of diplomas. For example, Sandwich courses are awarded after one year of practical training at the end of two university courses. They are awarded to students of technical specialties.
Pre-school education
Pre-school education in Great Britain is not compulsory. From the age of two to five a child can stay at home or attend Nursery. Pre-school educational institutions may be of different orientation: linguistic, and religious. In the first, education is conducted in several languages, in others children are told about religion in an accessible way. But everywhere children are taught to read, write and count. The English believe that going to a good preschool is an important part of their upbringing. The state pays only 15 hours a week – for the rest of the time, parents pay out of their own pockets.
Pre-Kindergarten Education
Preparatory education is available to children in fee-paying schools. A child may enter at age five and later transfer to secondary school. Private education is considered better, but not everyone can afford it. That is why most children go to municipal schools after kindergarten.
Elementary school education
In public schools, royal subjects receive a primary education between the ages of 5 and 11. Here the pupil has to study basic subjects:
- mathematics;
- music;
- Geography;
- English;
- art;
- industrial technology;
- history.
Education in England takes place in trimesters. English schoolchildren go to school on September 1, and the study ends on June 30. Pupils have holidays in July and August. In addition to summer holidays, there are Christmas and Easter vacations in Britain.
Secondary school education
This education is a compulsory level. It is compulsory for all British children under 16 years of age. In secondary school they learn the basics, play sports, music, and develop leadership skills. Many choose to study in private boarding schools, where the child is on full board. Upon completion of training, students take an exam, the results of which depend on whether the child is accepted in high school or not. High school in England ends with the General Certificate of Secondary Education. With this certificate you can go to college or get an official job.
Post-Secondary Education
After completing the basic education cycle, those who want to become a university student continue to study. At age 16 a person begins a two-year A-levels course. In the first year he studies 4-5, and in the next year – 3-4 disciplines, and he chooses which of them he will take. At this stage, he already determines what specialty he will get at university. For example, those who go to medical school, take biology and chemistry.
