British Education System

I. Introduction 1. The purpose of the British education system not only to provide children with literacy and the other basic skills they will need to become active members of society but also to socialize children. Children are taught practical skills; but they also learn the rules and values they need to become good citizen, to participate in the community, and to contribute to the economic prosperity of an advanced industrial economy.

2、The relationship between education and social class Britain is a society in which social class is still very important. Class inequality can be erased or continued according to educational policy. In Britain, the accent you speak with, the clothes you wear, and the schools you attend are all markers that identify your social class. The school tie is a clear marker of social class.

In Britain, where you are educated is still very important to your future. “The old boys network”（老男孩关系网） refers to the elite groups of men who went to public schools like Eton and Winchester; and universities like Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge) . They dominate government, and are influential in banking, the media, the arts and education.

II. History  1、The influence of the church on schooling Historically, education was voluntary and many of the schools that existed were set up by churches. The influence of the church on schooling is still strong: religious education was the only subject which the state insisted all schools teach their pupils (other subjects were left up to schools to decide upon). Daily prayers and singing hymns is still a regular part of school life.

 2. Great changes in British educational system after the Industrial Revolution (1) government involvement in taking responsibilities for the education of children. In 1870, a law was passed to call for government–funded education. (2) By 1880, attendance at school for children between 5 and 10 was compulsory. And by the end of the 1st World War the school leaving age was raised to 14 to dissuade children from leaving school to support their families. (3) a new educational system emphasizing equality was constructed after the 2nd World War with the assistance of church and trade unions.

(4) Education Act in 1944, made entry to secondary schools and universities meritocratic (选择具备才能和高智力的人not because of their social class or their parents’ possession, but for the abilities they display) to make sure more children had access to a good education. All children were given the right to a free secondary education.

(5) The less elitist school system（英才教育制度） failed because entrance to school was based upon exam performance. In the 1960s, comprehensive schools (general education providing subjects ranging from academic such as literature and science to more practical subjects like cooking and carpentry) were introduced all over the country, which ended the division between grammar schools and vocational schools. Entrance exams were abolished and schools were no longer allowed to let children compete for places.

(6) In 1976, the Labor Party started “the Great Education Debate” and was concerned about the inadequate skills of the labor force. In 1989, the Conservative Party led by Margaret Thatcher thought job training was important and introduced a National Curriculum and unified subjects. Students have to pass national tests and schools are marked according to the success of their pupils in reaching national targets. The National Curriculum has reinforced competitions between schools.

3、Comprehensive school 综合学校   In the 1960s, Comprehensive schools were introduced all over the country and are the most popular secondary schools in Britain today. Such schools admit children without reference to their academic abilities and provide a general education. Pupils can study everything from academic subjects like literature to more practical subjects like cooking.

 4、Grammar school文法学校 It is a type of secondary schools in Britain. Grammar schools select children at the age of 11, through an exam called “the 11-plus”. Those children with the highest marks go to grammar schools. These schools lay emphasis on advanced academic subjects rather than the more general curriculum of the comprehensive schools and expect many of their pupils to go on to universities.

5、The National Curriculum With the victory of the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher, education became a big political issues. While the new government thought that job training was very important, it felt schools were not paying enough attention in teaching pupils the traditional “three R’s (reading, writing, arithmetic).”

Therefore, in 1989 the government introduced a National Curriculum Therefore, in 1989 the government introduced a National Curriculum. Now all children throughout the country must study the following subjects: English, mathematics, science, religious education, history, geography, technology, music, art, physical education, and a modern foreign language. They must also pass national tests and schools are ranked according to the success of their pupils in reaching national targets.

6. Public school公学/私立 In the private sector there are independent schools which are common, but confusingly, called public schools. (They are called public schools because they were originally seen as “public” alternatives to having private tutors in aristocratic households.)

They receive their funding through the private sector and through tuition rates, with some government assistance. They are not part of the nation education system, but the quality of instruction and standards are maintained through visits from Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools （皇家督学）. Parents choose to pay fees in order to send their children have a better chance of getting into good universities and getting better jobs when they leave school.

III. The present Education System 1. The British education system is run by the state, which provides funding, oversees standard, and tried to make sure all British children receive a quality education. 2. Primary and secondary education in the UK is compulsory. Children between 5 --16 years old are obliged to attend school.

3. Children between 5 ---11 go to primary school (state schools; co-educational or mixed schools). 4. Children between 11 ---19 go to secondary schools (90% of them are enrolled to comprehensive schools without reference to their academic abilities). Some children choose to attend grammar schools at the age of 11 through 11-plus examination.

﹡Compare the secondary schools a. state schools ---- funded by local and central governments. b. private schools 私立学校= independent schools = public schools公学( because they were originally seen as public alternative to having private tutors in aristocratic households)---- funded by private sectors, through tuition rates and some government assistance. Independent schools are not part of the national education system.

c. grammar schools --- ( 11---) children have to take part in the 11+ ( 11 plus) examination to be enrolled in a grammar school. Grammar schools are becoming rare in Great Britain except in Northern Ireland. d. comprehensive schools---- in the 1960s, comprehensive schools (general education providing subjects ranging from academic such as literature and science to more practical subjects like cooking and carpentry) were introduced all over the country, which ended the division between grammar schools and vocational schools. Entrance exams were abolished and schools were no longer allowed to let children compete for places.

Eton Fee-paying, known as public schools 7% of schoolchildren attending Good teaching staff – educated 19 Prime Ministers, 6 Chancellors of Exchequers, Shelley, Orwell, founded in 1440 by HENRY VI to educate sons of the poor for service of church & state.

School Today Public School -- Eton College Eton with the tutor “The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.” --Duke of Wellington

Schools Today Public School -- Eton College Eton Pupils

5. Examinations after the secondary education a. GCSE Examinations (General Certificate of Secondary Education) ----after 5 years of secondary education , English , Northern Irish and Welsh students sit the exams which is to assess their progress in their final 2 years of compulsory education. Then, they will decide what avenue of education they would like to follow based on the results of the examinations. They have a number of choices ----- quit school to find a job.

◆ prepare for university entrance examination 2 –year-further study after the GCSE ( in the 6th form) then sit for the GCSE- Advanced) examination. b. GNVQ----( General National Vocational Qualifications ) To sit the GNVQ for vocational training or preparation for work.

GCSE的评分方法 Grade A* Grade B / C Grade D / E Grade F / G Ungraded A good result of exceptional quality Grade B / C The higher grades needed for further and higher education Grade D / E Regarded as average grades-a good base from which to grow Grade F / G The lower, but still useful, grades of achievement Ungraded Unfortunately, no score

IV. Higher Education Higher Education has a long history in the UK. Oxford and Cambridge date from the 12th and 13th centuries, while Scottish universities of St Andrews, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen from the 14th and 15th centuries. The rest were founded in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Universities, reflecting the trend throughout the education system, have traditionally been rather elitist. Most students were from the middle classes, attended good schools, performed well in their A-levels and received a fully-funded place in a university. In recent years, great efforts have been made to increase the numbers and kinds of people that pursue higher education.

Institution of Higher Education Cambridge

Institution of Higher Education Oxford University Christ Church college, Oxford University.

Institutions of Higher Education Universities Glasgow （格拉斯哥）University

Nottingham （）University

Buckingham（白金汉 ）University Verney Park Campus Chandos Road Campus

◆1. British universities are public bodies which receive funds from central government. ◆2. The UK has only one privately-funded university ----- the University of Buckingham. ◆3. British higher education has a long history in the UK--- In the 1960s a large number of universities were built. In 1992, the number grew when polytechnics and other higher education establishments were given the right to become universities. By 1994, Britain had 83 universities. In 1980, 1 in 8 pupils went to universities; by1990 it was 1 in 5; by 2000 it was 1 in 3.

Types of degrees BSc (Bachelor of Science) is a Science Degree BA (Bachelor of Arts) is an Arts Degree BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) is an Engineering Degree PhD ( Doctor of Philosophy ) Undergraduate Masters degree (eg MEng). This is an enhanced four year undergraduate degree which includes additional subjects studied at a deeper level.

※  Open University Open University-- and open education------ in England it takes 3 years’ full time study to get the first degree for an open university learner; 4 years in Scotland. It was founded in Britain in the 1960s for people who may not get the opportunity for higher education for economic and social reasons.

It’s open to everybody and doesn’t demand the same formal educational qualifications as the other universities. University courses are followed through TV, radio, correspondence, videos and a network of study centers. At the end of their studies at the Open University, successful students are awarded a university degree.