1/ Tell me about the system of education in Great Britain.

In general, the education system is the same across the state, but there are
some variations in structure and schooling legislation in England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland. About 90% of UK schoolchildren go to state
schools and 7% attend fee-paying private (or public) schools and the rest
3% don`t go to schoo-l at all. By law parents can educate their children at
home.

There are 5 stages of education: pre-school, primary, secondary, further

and higher education. Pre-school education is optional from the age of 3.
Primary education is compulsory for all children aged 5. The school year
starts in September and is arranged into terms. The school day lasts from
8.30 to 3.30. The majority of schoolchildren wear a school uniform and
each school has its colour . The main goal of primary school is achieving
basic literacy and numeracy. Education is free, although parents have to
cover coats uniforms and school stuff.

Secondary education is compulsory from ages 11 to 16 and comprises a

combination of different types of schools. Comprehensive schools admit all
students without selection on the basis of their abilities. In contrast, gram-
mar schools select students on the basis of testing. There are also faith
schools for different religious groups.

The UK has a variety of private schools. They are well-known for their tra-
ditions, high teaching standards and better job opportunities. Parents pay
for these schools, and fees are high. Private schools are not regulated by
local authorities. The majority of private schools are single-sex schools for
boys only (Harrow/Eton) and for girls (Badminton boarding school).

At the age of 16 they take a national exam called the GCSE. Most students
take 4/5 GCSEs. After 16 education is optional: to find work, stay on for fur-
ther study or attend a vocational training.

At 18 they take much harder exams called A-levels to get into college or
university. Higher education is provided by higher education colleges, uni-
versity colleges and universities. There are about 50 universities including
the two oldest and most famous Oxford and Cambridge.