Education in the UK University Foundation Course

Presentation focus The School System in England

Presentation Overview Structure of English Educational System -Voluntary & Compulsory stages -Examinations and Assessments History of education in England Education in the news – current topics of debate

Voluntary and Compulsory Stages Pre-school: age 3 – 5 (voluntary) Foundation Stage 1 –part-time, nursery or childcare environment, age 3-4 Foundation Stage 2 –full-time, “Reception”, in Infant or Primary school In % of 3 to 4-year-olds attended some form of pre-school education In 2006 the number had gone up to 64%

Early years education Two thirds of 3 and 4 year olds go to school Children under five in schools, UK

Voluntary and Compulsory Stages Full-time education: age 5 – 16 (compulsory) State schools, independent schools, home-schooling Compulsory school begins with the term which follows child’s 5 th birthday Most enrol in reception class in September of that school year (age 4 or 4.5) Compulsory school continues until age 16

Diagram of schooling systems in England

Examinations and Assessments The National Curriculum Key Stage National Curriculum Tests –Key Stage 1 (KS1) – during Year 2 (ages 6/7) –Key Stage 2 (KS2) – end of Year 6 (ages 10/11) –Key Stage 3 (KS3) – end of Year 9 (ages 13/14) –Key Stage 4 (KS4) – end of Year 10 & 11 (ages 14-16) – incorporated into GCSE examinations Key Stage Exams often referred to as SATs (Standard Assessment Tests)

Examinations and Assessments GCSE examinations (14-16) Broad range of 6 to 10 subjects, must include –English –Maths –Science Exams usually sat at age 16 –The youngest student to gain a GCSE is home-educated Arran Fernandez, who took GCSE Mathematics in 2001 at the age of five, gaining grade D. In 2003 he became the youngest ever student to gain an A* grade, also for Mathematics. Pass grades, from highest to lowest, are –A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G –Fail Grade is U (Unclassified)

Examinations and Assessments GCSE subjects Languages – French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Latin Design & Technology – textiles, electronics, food Humanities – geography, history, religious studies Business studies, Home Economics, Citizenship, Psychology, Sociology Arts, Dance, Drama, Media Studies, Fashion

Voluntary and Compulsory Stages Post 16 education – not compulsory –Therefore school pupils can leave school at 16 –In 2007, government announced plan to increase school leaving age to 18 (to come into effect in 2013) –Around 70% of 16 year-olds remain in education

Examinations and Assessments A Levels examinations (16-18) –Final 2 years in Sixth Form –A Level is exam taken for university entrance –Students typically only take 3 subjects, sometimes 4 –Comprise of 6 modules assessed over 2 years –End of year 1 (3 modules) = AS Level –End of second year (3 modules) = A2 Level –Grades: A=80%+, B=70% - 79%, C=60% - 69%, D=50% - 59%, E=40% - 49%

A brief history of education in UK Changes in education a result of changes in government 1980s The Conservatives –National Curriculum –SATs –League Tables –Parental choice

A brief history of education in UK 1997 – present day: New Labour “Education, Education, Education” Ofsted inspections Catchment areas City Academies NVQs

Current topics of debate League tables & results driven performance

Catchment areas, Faith schools & Postcode lotteries

Discipline, Knives, Teacher shortages, Literacy levels