Education in the UK

1. Education in the UK University Foundation Course

2. Presentation focus The School System in England

3. 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

4. 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 1970 21% of 3 to 4-year-olds attended some form of pre-school education • In 2006 the number had gone up to 64%

5. Early years educationTwo thirds of 3 and 4 year olds go to school Children under five in schools, UK

6. 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 5th birthday • Most enrol in reception class in September of that school year (age 4 or 4.5) • Compulsory school continues until age 16

7. Diagram of schooling systems in England

8. 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)

9. 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)

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

11. 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

12. 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%

13. 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

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

15. Current topics of debate League tables & results driven performance

16. Catchment areas, Faith schools & Postcode lotteries

17. Discipline, Knives, Teacher shortages, Literacy levels