British Education System

Basics
Education in Britain is provided by the Local Education Authority (LEA) in each county. It is financed partly by
the government and partly by local taxes.
Until 1988 each LEA was free to decide how to organize education in its area. However, in 1988 the National
Curriculum was introduced, which means that now there is greater governmental control over what is taught in
schools.
Primary and secondary education is free for everyone in state schools but there are some private schools (also
called public schools) where the parents have to pay a tuition fee. These schools (especially the secondary
schools) are usually very expensive.
Students in both state and public schools are generally required to wear school uniforms.

Pre-School/Nursery School
In Britain children do not have to go to school until they reach the age of 5.
There is free nursery education before that age, however there are not enough nursery school places for all who
would like them so they are usually given to families in special circumstances, e.g. single parent families.
There are private nursery schools too, where parents have to pay a fee. Also, in many areas parents form play
groups where children under 5 can go for a morning or afternoon a couple of times a week.

Primary Education
Primary education (5 to 11 years) takes place in infant schools (5 to 7 years of age – 2 years) and junior schools
(7 to 11 years of age – 4 years).
Children learn the basics of English, mathematics, sciences, art and design, history, geography, modern
languages, computing, music, physical education, etc.

Secondary Education
Secondary education (11 to 18 years) is free for all children in Britain.
Children must go to school until the age of 16 but they may stay one or two more years if they wish.
Most secondary schools are comprehensive, which means that the schools are not selective, pupils do not have
to take an exam to go there. They want to develop the talents of each individual child, so they offer a wide range
of subjects from art and craft, to modern languages, sciences, computer studies etc.
Pupils in comprehensive schools are often put in ”sets” according to ability in the more academic subjects, such
as maths or languages.

GCSE, A-levels
In the third or fourth form of secondary schools pupils start to choose their exam subjects. At the age of 16 they
take the GCSE exam (General Certificate of Secondary Education). After these exams they have different
possibilities.
Some choose to leave school and go to a Further Education college, to do some practical training for example
typing, cooking, hairdressing, etc.
Others stay on in their secondary school or choose another to the Sixth Form College where they study some
chosen subjects in more detail and after one or two years they take the so called A Level exam, which is
necessary for University entrance.
Be careful! College in Britain is NOT the same as in the US!
Higher Education
Most students who go to university choose an institution far away from their home. They live in a Hall of
residence on or near the campus or they move out into a rented room or share a house with some friends.
There are three types of lessons: lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Lectures are for a lot of students, while
seminars are for smaller groups. At a tutorial they see a tutor alone to discuss their progress.
After 3 or 4 years they earn their BA or BSc degree. If they continue their studies they may get an MA or MSc
degree.
British students generally have to pay a tuition fee for higher education. The amount depends on the
institution.
There are about 130 universities in the UK the best known ones being Oxford and Cambridge.

Trivia
The Academic year in the UK consists of three terms: the autumn term from September to mid December,
spring term from January to Easter, and summer term form Easter to mid July. Summer holiday starts in late
July and ends in early September.
They use both numerical and letter grades in the UK. The system used varies between constituent countries
and institutions.