UK Education System

Education system (England) Phases of Education Key facts Key themes in Education Opportunity for discussion

PhaseAge of Pupils (years) Pre-school or NurseryUnder 5 Primary Schools5-11 Secondary Schools11-16 or Sixth Form Colleges16-18 Further Education Colleges 16+ Special Schools3-18 Phases of Education

CharacteristicPrimarySecondary % pupils eligible for free school meals 16.9 (includes nursery) 14 % ethnic minorities % first language other than English Average class size Characteristics of State Schools

Centralisation of the curriculum, assessments and standards Delegation to schools of the means to deliver the national agenda but with very strong national framework for accountability and inspection Local Authorities responsible for quality of education locally and services for children and families Three Themes in Education

Compulsory curriculum for pupils aged 5-14 (Key Stages 1-3) : -English, Mathematics, Science -History, Geography, Art, Music, Design and Technology, ICT, Physical Education, Religious Education -Citizenship (not statutory at primary school) -Sex and relationship education for pupils aged Careers education at 14 The National Curriculum

Pupils aged (Key Stage 4) -Compulsory: English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, PE, RE and citizenship -Entitlement: the Arts, Design & Technology, Modern Languages, History or Geography Pupils aged (Key Stage 5) -Pupils choose from a wide rande of academic and vocational subjects The National Curriculum continued…

Pupils are assessed at each Key Stage of the curriculum -At age 7 & 11 -General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at age 16 Pupils usually take 9 GCSE or equivalent -Advanced Level GCE at age 17 and 18 Pupils usually take 4-5 subjects in the first year of sixth form and 3-4 in their second year National, local authority & school targets National Assessment Framework

The headteacher and senior leaders have freedom to determine school ethos They have full responsibility for the quality of education of pupils in their care Schools are responsible for -Teaching and learning -Appointment and management of all staff -Buildings and site – including playing fields -Budget Autonomy of Schools

A headteacher is accountable to a Governing body which includes: parents, the community & often the local authority There are national standards for headteachers New headteachers must be accredited by the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) Schools are regularly inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) Accountability of Schools

Ages of transition between phases of education Examinations: at what age, time of year What are the similarities and differences in the curriculum? What choices do students have following compulsory education? What is the teaching style? Who runs the school? What is the role of the headteacher? How are teachers and headteachers trained? Group Discussion