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The children from the age of five to sixteen in England, Scotland and Northern
Ireland receive compulsory education, and so do the children from the age of four
to sixteen in Wales. However, the educational system of England, Wales and Northern
Ireland is quite different from that of Scotland.
1、Pre-school education/ Pre-preparatory education
Generally British children start pre-school education at the age of three
or four, which is equivalent to the infant school education of China.
2、Preparatory/Primary education
As is the case with China, children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
are supposed to study in primary schools for six years, that is, from Year 1 to
Year 6. Children have to start school at the age of five(exclusive of the Welsh
children, who are supposed to start school at the age of four ). At the age of
seven they are entered for Key Stage 1, and at the age of eleven for Key Stage
2, which promises the end of primary education. But children in Scotland are supposed
to study in primary schools for seven years and finish primary school at the age
of twelve.
3、Secondary Education
The secondary education, which lasts seven years, is divided into two parts:
before the age of 16(Year 7-Year 11) and after the age of 16(Year 12-Year 13 for
A level, or called Sixth Form). So the age of 16 is the education age for British
students. Secondary education, also called elementary education, is the opposite
to Higher education. So it is not right to say that two years 'study for A level
after the age of 16 is the preparatory course that prepares students for college.
As a matter of fact, two years of A level studies in Britain is quite different
from, and superior to the three years' studies in senior middle schools of China,
and therefore it is easy to understand the reason why the students are required
to study for a duration of three years in the colleges of England and Wales.
British students are required to take many courses before the age of 14,
and at the age of 14 they are entered for Key Stage 3. From the age of 14 British
students are required to take four or five elective courses as well as the National
Curriculum of English, Mathematics and Science. After two years' study, that is,
at the age of 16 they are entered for Key Stage 4 for General Certificate of Secondary
Education(GCSE), or for International GCSE(IGCSE), or for SCE Standard Grade(Scottish
Certificate of Education).
British students are required to continue their studies at school or choose
to work after finishing the legal requirement of compulsory education at the age
of 16. Of course, most students choose to go on with their studies at school for
two aims: Academic learning and Vocational learning. If they decide to take courses
for academic degrees, they are required to continue their studies at school for
another two years before they sit the test for GCE A level or IB(International
Baccalaureat), and finish the education at the age of 18, whereas students of
sixteen years old in Scotland are required to go on with their studies for only
one year before they sit the test for SCE H-grade(Scottish Certificate of Education
Higher Grade). If they pass the test, they will be accepted by Scotland University.
But if they fail or decide to go to other colleges outside Scotland, they will
be allowed to study for another year for the test of SCE Advanced Higher Grade.
So that is the reason why Chinese senior school students, who decide to study
in Britain, are required to study one more year before they go to college in Britain.
Enclosed with the following:
A. The Curriculum for Key Stage 3
In Years 7-9 pupils follow a common curriculum of subjects:
1. Mathematics 2.Science 3.English 4.Hstory 5.Geography 6.PE &games 7.Information
Technology 8.French 9.German 10.Re 11.Music 12.Art 13.Design Technology
B. GCSE
During Year 9 pupils choose their subjects for GCSE. All continue with a common
core of:
Taken to GCSE: Mathematics; English Literature; English Language; Biology; Chemistry;
Physics
Non-examined: PE & games; PSHE; RE; Information Technology
C. Timing of the School Day
The school day runs from 8.45 until 3.35
8.45 Morning registration
8.50 Assembly(or Form Period)
9.10-10.20 Lesson 1
10.30-11.40 Lesson 2
Break
12.00-1.10 Lesson 3
Lunch
2.15 Afternoon registration
2.25-3.35 Lesson 4
Most subjects are taught in full lessons, but in some cases teaching is organized
in 35 minute sessions
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