The English Education System

1. The English Education System Bob Knight Headteacher Darlinghurst Primary and Nursery School

2. Current Day • Many children start formal school at the age of 3 • Two sectors –Primary and Secondary, followed by Tertiary • Compulsory schooling from 5 – 16 • Pupils divided into Key Stages • Pre-formal school is known as the “Foundation Stage”

3. Key Stages • Key Stage 1 – aged 5 to 7 • Key Stage 2 – aged 7 – 11 • Key Stage 3 – aged 11 to 14 • Key Stage 4 – aged 14 – 19 • Pupils move through the system by age – ability largely plays no role in the placement of children

4. National Curriculum and RE • A National Curriculum is prescribed for all schools • There is freedom to innovate – but only if judged a “good” school • All pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, ICT and RE throughout their school days • 6 other subjects make up the NC in Primary and 2/3 more in Secondary

5. National Strategies • Literacy – Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4 • Numeracy - Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4 • Introduced to address perceived failures in standards of attainment • Citizenship, PHSE, Enterprise and Financial Awareness added to secondary curriculum

6. A Testing Culture • When pupils enter school they are tested – Foundation Stage Profile • Tests are held at the end of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 • Results are recorded and published • Exams are held at 16, 17 and 18 • None of the tests are used to improve learning – they merely measure achievement

7. Curriculum Structure • Each area has tightly defined content • Programmes of study set out what should be taught – basis for schemes of work • Attainment targets and level descriptions • Teachers judge which description best fits pupil’s performance

8. Ofsted • All schools are inspected on a cyclical basis • Inspection framework has developed over time • Schools are held accountable for pupil attainment • Reports published nationally and label schools (Outstanding to Inadequate)

9. “World Class” standards • Political pressure to improve outputs • National targets for all Key Stages • Schools required to “up the game” • Pisa scores • Every Child Matters • Personalised Learning

10. Responsibilities • National Government – set the agenda and approve policy • Local Authority – interpret the policy and set targets • Governing Body – appoint the Headteacher and monitor the work of the school • Headteacher – is reponsible for everything else

11. Day to Day • 39 weeks a year • 38 for teaching, 1 for training • 5 days per week • Variable times but mainly between 9.00am – 3.30pm • Day divided into sessions • Children in school all day • Some children also present before and after • Children’s Centres and Extended Schools

12. Staff • Administration – personnel, finance, attendance • Premises – cleaning, security, maintenance, health and safety • Support – for the teachers, for the children • Teaching – most are classroom based, cover in addition

13. Teachers • Teachers deliver the whole curriculum • Some specialist teaching PE, Music, MfL • Contracted to teach 90% of the school day • Plan lessons from the strategies and curriculum schemes of work • Develop resources, assess and report on progress • Meet parents and oversee development • Take responsibility for whole school issues

14. Support Staff • Assist in lessons • Deliver specialist support • Help with developing resources • Support with teaching • Help with assessment • Put up displays • Meet with parents

15. Headteachers • Lead teaching – but teach less and less • Oversee standards of learning • Manage staff - varying according to size • Take responsibility for the financial resources • Manage resources

16. Headteachers • Work with parents • Recruit pupils – dealing with admissions • Make links with other institutions • Report to the local authority • Prepare for inspection • Work with the community • Keep everyone happy!