Education in the United Kingdom

The school system in the United Kingdom describes the four different school systems existing in the United Kingdom. Thus one finds in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England each have independent school systems that are similar, their contents and structures but determined by local authorities. In principle, the systems are in Wales, Northern Ireland and England mostly on expert knowledge, the system in Scotland but focused on general knowledge.

In the UK, most of the students, which (like the German elementary school ) have completed the Primary school visit, the so-called Comprehensive School ( comparable to the German Gesamtschule ). One can however also between Grammar School and the Independent Schools or Public Schools ( the German equivalent to a private school ), decide.

In America is the name private and public school in England. This has its origin in the fact that earlier schools were very expensive and the poor people could not afford education. Therefore, only the rich and nobles were allowed to send their children to the school, the so-called " published " people. The Eton College, founded in 1440, is the oldest public school. At that time were allowed for the first time students attend from all parts of England this school and not, as usual, until then, only from the surrounding neighborhood. Hence the name " Public" School comes.

Comprehensive School

In the Comprehensive School, students can choose their own way depending on the talent and interests.

Each student decides at the end of ninth grade, which examinations ( General Certificate of Secondary Education ( GCSE ) ) he wants to compete at the end of the 11th grade at the age of about 16 years. However, English, Mathematics and Science are compulsory subjects. These exams will be held in eight to eleven individual subjects, with the material in the tenth and eleventh grade oriented and begin preparations as early as the tenth grade. This conclusion is similar to the German high-school diploma or an intermediate certificate. Then you can decide whether you visited a voluntary secondary school, attend training or at the Comprehensive School remains a further two years and the so-called A-levels ( equivalent to the German Abitur, or the Matura) in normally three to four subjects of free choice makes.

Sections and types of schools

The school system is divided into the following sections and types of schools:

• Primary School ( Infant School ) ( elementary school ) for students in age groups 4-7
• Primary School ( Junior School ) ( elementary school ) for students in age groups 7-11
• Secondary School or High School (or the Comprehensive School ) ( comprehensive school ) for students of age group 11-16

In the course of this training four official examinations are taken ( Key Stage National Curriculum tests), the fourth is the so-called General Certificate of Secondary Education ( GCSE ). Will be graded from A * ( best) to G, or U ( unbewertbar ).

• Sixth Form ( Upper or Upper Secondary School ) for students of age group 16-18 ( if the test is not passed, there is a " victory lap " )
• You do your A-levels (Abitur ) in three to five subjects of their own choice. A Levels consist of 6 modules. 4 AS modules after the first year and 3 A2 modules at the end of the Sixth Form. Sixth Forms are often a part of a Secondary School. ( GCE)

• College for students aged 16-18 Here you can take A-levels, but also complete the school part of vocational training, for example, Barber / hairdresser.

• University The first degree ( first degree ) or Bachelor is normally achieved after three years.
• A master's degree is usually reached after one to three years.
• Usually an additional three years of study are required for the doctoral (PhD).

School system in Scotland

The Scottish school year always begins in August and ends in late June. The school year is divided into three parts, which are referred to as terms. So the first term lasted the school year 2005 /06 of 18 August to 23 December, the second term of 9 January 2006 to 31 March 2006 and the last term on 18 April to 29 June 2006.

Pre-school Education

The three and four year olds go through a free, so-called Pre-school Education ( pre-school education ). The work here is a collaboration of local authorities with volunteers and private individuals. The week includes five days of school and every school day lasts two and a half hours. Here, the duration differs depending on the local authority. At the inputs and outputs even diapers are distributed.

Primary Schools

Comparable to the primary school, the students 5-12 years of age. The first class is called the Primary 1 ( p1) and the counting will be continued accordingly.

Secondary Schools

The Scottish education system is a comprehensive school system. Up until the seventies there were three secondary schools in Scotland: The Grammar School, the Secondary Modern School and the Technical School. In order to achieve equality of opportunity, this system was in favor of a comprehensive school, the Comprehensive School, abolished.

The class starts at 09:00 and ends at 15:30 clock clock. The schools are equipped with canteens or school cafeterias. Here the students are provided with lunch ( ). The lessons last for 50 or 55 minutes. The first class in a secondary school is referred to as S1 (Secondary 1). Again, the counting will be continued accordingly, so the name of the last possible class S6. All students are required to wear school uniform. These uniforms consist of a shirt, tie, trousers and a jacket or a sweater. The colors of the tie and the rest of the clothes are determined by the school so dressed alike all students come to school.

After eleven years of school, you can decide whether to leave school with the General Certificate of Secondary Education ( GCSE ) and attend training. The alternative is to spend two more years in school to complete the General Certification of Advanced Education ( GCE A level) and, thereby, gain university entrance qualification.

The subjects offered in a Secondary School comprises:

• Modern Languages ​​- Select a language. You can choose between German, French, Spanish or Italian. Some schools also Gaelic is offered as such a " foreign language".
• History - History
• Technical Education
• Information Technology
• Physical Education ( P. E. ) - Sports
• Social Education
• Science
• Type
• Geography
• Mathematics ( Maths )
• English
• Modern Studies - Comparable to civics or civic education
• Home Economics - home economics classes
• Religious Education ( R. E. )
• Music
• Drama
• Economics
• Business
• Media

In the first two years, all of these are compulsory subjects. In the third and fourth year is the possibility of electives, with math, English and science remain mandatory.

Denominational Schools

These schools are Roman Catholic schools.

Independent Schools

Private school, they include Private Schools and Public Schools. These schools charge school fees and are not bound by the national curriculum. But they are committed to the same tests decrease as state schools.

Gaelic Medium Schools

Gaelic to Gaelic German, is the ancient Celtic language of Scotland. This is used along with English at around 60 primary schools. Work orders and other subjects are taught there in Gaelic. At the same time it is also regarded as a separate subject. In the subsequent secondary schools the teaching is done in the same way. There are various courses in which the students are divided according to their abilities. Mostly Gaelic is taught in schools in the Highlands. But also at various schools in the Central Belt or the Midlands is Gaelic to find in the curriculum.

Repeating a grade level

Repeating a grade is not possible in the UK. The courses taken are either " passed" or "failed" censored and documented in the certificate. Consequences here may be that next year, a rate that is based on a failed course, can not be proven.

School holidays

The holidays are not specified in the rule by the schools themselves. Public Schools have longer holidays than the State Schools, the state schools. In autumn there is the Autumn Half Term in the middle of the Autumn term, followed by Christmas and New Year, Christmas Holidays, around February of the Spring Half Term is ( Spring Term), at Easter, the Easter Holidays, which in May of Summer Half Term ( Summer Term) follow. Then start depending on the school early or mid- July, the Summer Holidays, which last about six weeks.

Quotes

• The German school system is one of the best in the world, if you survive it! (Peter Ustinov )