Education in English-

speaking countries
Prepared by Victoria Volska
 Education in Britain
In England and Wales compulsory school begins at the
age of five, but before that age children can go to a
nursery school. School is compulsory till the children are
16 years old.
In Primary School and First School children learn to read
and write and the basis of arithmetic.
When students are 16 years old they may take an exam
in various subjects in order to have a qualification. These
qualifications can be either G.C.S.E. or O-level.
Some parents choose private schools for their children.
They are very expensive but considered to provide a
better education and good job opportunities.
 School life of British children
The school years is divided into terms, three month each,
named after seasons autumn term, winter term and spring
term. In July schools break up for eight weeks.
Most of the pupil`s time is spent in a classroom equipped
with desks and a blackboard. In addition to classrooms
there are laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and
Biology. Technical rooms are for Woodwork, Metalwork,
Technical Drawing. There are rooms for computer
studies.
Pupils at many secondary schools in Britain have to wear
a school uniform. Young people in Britain often don`t
like their school uniform, especially the hats and shoes.
 The British educational system
Seven per cent of British schoolchildren go to private
schools called independent schools. There are 2400
independent schools and they have been growing in
number and popularity since the mid-1980`s.
Parents pay for these schools, and fees vary from about
250 pounds a term for a private nursery to 3000 pounds a
term or more.
The most famous schools are called “public schools” and
they have a long history and traditions. It is often
necessary to put your child`s name on a waiting list at
birth.
The majority of independent secondary schools, including
public schools, are single-sex. Independent schools also
include religious schools.
 Primary education in Britain
Most children start school at 5 in primary school. A
primary school may be divided into two parts – infants
and juniors.
By the time children are ready for the juniors school
they will be able to read and write, do simple addition
and subtraction of numbers.
At 7 children go on from the infant school to the junior
school. This marks the transition from play to “real
work”. The children have set period of arithmetic,
reading and composition. History, Geography, Nature
study, Art and Music, PE, Swimming are also on the
time table.
People are streamed, according to their ability to learn,
into A, B, C, and D streams.
 Secondary education in Britain
After the age of 11 most children go to comprehensive
schools of which the majority are for both boys and
girls.
At 16 students in England and Wales take GCSE
examinations.
At !8 some students take A-level examinations, usually
in two or three subjects. It is necessary to have A-levels
in order to go to a university or Politechnic.
In Scotland students take the SCE examinations. A year
later, they can take examinations called Highers after
which they can go straight to a university.
Secondary education in Northern Ireland is organized
along selective lines according to children`s abilities.
 Higher education in Great Britain
The academic year in Britain`s universities,
Polytechnics, Colleges of education is divided
into three terms.
There are 46 universities in Britain. The oldest
and best-known universities are located in
Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester,
Liverpool, Edinburgh, Southampton, Cardiff,
Bristol and Birmingham.
Good A-level results in at least two subjects are
necessary to get a place at a university.
University choose their students after interview.
Thank you for attention!