С В Ю З Education in the United Kingdom by Reypova Sh.& Qalbaeva D. 4B of Journalism

At what age do children start school in the United Kingdom? The school age in England and Wales is from 5 years to 16 years. English children enter the reception class (first grade) of primary school in the next term after their fifth birthday. They attend primary school for seven years, where they study English, arithmetic, science, religious education, history, geography, music, art and crafts, physical education, and information technology (computers).

Types of schools in England a. There are private schools. Parents pay for their children to attend these schools. They are known as Independent Schools (7%) b. There are also schools run by the Government. These schools are known as State Schools and parents do not pay. They are financed by public funds, which means that the money comes from the national and local taxes. Ninety percent of children in England and Wales attend a state school. (93%)

Primary schools ( ) In the UK, the first level of education is known as primary education. Children start it at 5 years old and finish y.o.

Secondary schools ( ) Secondary schools provide compulsory education for children between the ages of eleven and sixteen in England and Wales. Children may stay on at school until the age of eighteen in order to pursue further studies, however this is not compulsory. From the ages of fourteen to sixteen, pupils study for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Pupils who stay on at school from the ages of sixteen to eighteen in England, may take the Advanced (A) level examination, which traditionally is required for entry into higher education.

School vacations The summer vacation lasts for about 6 weeks from July 20 to September 4; Winter and spring vacation both last two weeks, from December 21 to around January 6 and March 25 to around April 5. English schools have three terms (semesters), separated by vacations. The three terms are: Autumn Term: September to December Spring Term: January to April Summer Term: April to July

School Uniform School uniforms were first introduced in England by Henry VIII and were called bluecoats because of blue jackets. Then the popularity of uniforms increased and most schools had them. The uniform was different according to age, gender and even season (winter and summer uniforms). Nowadays the government in England tend to encourage the use of uniforms as a means of discipline and positive behavior.

SCHOOL UNIFORM are worn in over 90% of secondary schools in England. Schools issued parents and potential parents with an equipment list, including many school specific designs. The Department strongly encourages schools to have a uniform as it can play a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone.

SPORT Sport is important in English schools. Its especially popular at private schools which have a long tradition of sport. Nearly all schools have had a sport team from the post World War II period. The most important sport games are: football, basketball, cricket, hockey, tennis, gymnastics. Some schools have special sport uniforms.

School MARKS Scotland's education system uses the following structure: Some children take National 4 or National 5 in their 4th year at high school (aged about 15/16). In some schools, if children are in top set in S3 (aged 15/16) they will study the Nat 5 course but they do not take the exams. National 4/5 are thought to be preparation for the Highers & Advanced Highers. If you are taking your national 4 you most likely will take the national 5 exams next year. Schools in England and America use their own marks: letters or percentage A – excellent, B – – good, C – – satisfactory, D – bad, E – 0-59 poor.

The end There are also about 500 private schools in Great Britain. Most of these schools are boarding ones, where children live as well as study. Education in such schools is very expensive, that's why only 5 per cent of schoolchildren attend them. Private schools are also called preparatory (for children up to 13 years old) and public schools (for pupils from 13 to 18 years old). Any pupil can enter the best university of the country after leaving this school. The most famous British public schools are Eton, Harrow and Winchester.