...ducation is laden ith controversies because of educations importance in Britain.Contrasts ith American EducationCompared to the United States, feer people go on to higher education in Britain, and there is more emphasis on segregating pupils at the loer levels on the basis of ability. Most British schools are funded by the central government, ith local governments providing supplemental funding. England and ales have a national curriculum of core courses for students 5 to 16 years old, and schools are inspected by the Office for Standards in Education. National tests at the ages of 7, 11, and 14 assess students progress. Schools must provide religious education and daily collective orship for all pupils, although parents can ithdra their children from these. Full-time school begins at age 5 in Great Britain and at age 4 in Northern Ireland. In addition, about half of 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in specialized nursery schools or in nursery classes at primary schools.In Britain, the term form is used to designate grade old boys and old girls refer to people ho have graduated from a school. Private schools or independent schools are called public schools, a term that means just the opposite in the United States. hat are called public schools in the United States is called state schools in Britain. hen a person is sent don from school, it means he or she has been thron out. Grammar schools are university preparatory schools, most of hich have been replaced by comprehensive schools catering to students of all academic abilities. Secondary modern schools provide vocational education rather preparation for university entrance.Types of Schools in BritainThe most famous schools in Britain are private boarding schools, such as Eton College, Harro School, Rugby School, and inchester School. These famous private schools, founded during the Middle Ages, are theoretically open to the public, but in reality are attended by those ho can afford the fees. Many of Britains leaders have attended these private schools, hich cater to the ealthy and influential but also offer some scholarships to gifted poorer children. Local authorities and the central authority also provide assistance to some families ho are unable to pay the fees. Only a small percentage of the population can attend these ancient and highly prestigious schools. A variety of other schools are also private, including kindergartens, day schools, and neer boarding schools. Private schools that take pupils from the age of 7 to the age of 11, 12, or 13 are called preparatory schools. Private schools that take older pupils from the age of 11, 12, or 13 to 18 or 19 are often referred to as public schools. Only 7 percent of British students attend private school.In England, ales, and Northern Ireland, the education systems are similar. The majority of the students attend schools holly or partly supported ith public funds. These include state schools oned and funded by LEAs voluntary schools established and funded mostly by religious denominations self-governing or grant-maintained GM schools that receive funds directly from the government rather than local authorities and specialist schools that are connected to a private backer. Most pupils attend LEA schools. About 15 percent of secondary schools are GM schools.In Scotland, educational authorities are largely independent of those in the rest of the United Kingdom, although reforms, such as rising the age at hich students may leave school, are similar. Nearly all-Scottish schools are comprehensive, meaning they serve students of all abilities, and school boards involve parents and professionals. Recent reforms introduced local management of schools and allo state schools to become self-governing if voters approve the change in an election. The school then receives funds directly from the central government instead of from the local authority.In 1997 Scotland elected to form its on legislature, separate from the Parliament in London. As a result, education in Scotland may change significantly due to Scotlands 1999 parliamentary elections. Through its parliament, Scotland can address its on educational issues and create its on educational authorities. These authorities have the responsibilities once handled by the secretary of state for Scotland and other non-Scottish educational organizations. ales also elected its on governing body, the elsh Assembly, ith the poer to make similar decisions regarding the elsh education system.In Northern Ireland the schools are segregated by religious affiliation. Local education authorities provide for schools, but nearly all-secondary students in Northern Ireland attend voluntary schoolschurch schools maintained by either the Catholic or the Protestant church. In an attempt to break don religious segregation and provide integrated education, the state established a number of integrated schools about 2 percent of the school population attends these schools.Education Beyond Age 16At the age of 16, prior to leaving school, students are tested in various subjects to earn a General Certificate of Secondary Education GCSE. If they ish to go on to higher education at a university, they take Advanced Level examinations, commonly knon as A Levels. Scotland has comparable qualifications. About a third of British students leave school as soon as possible after turning 16, usually taking loer-level jobs in the orkforce. Those ho stay in school past the age of 16 may pursue either further education or higher education. Further education is largely vocational, as is adult education. About 3.5 million people ere enrolled in further education programs in 1995. Students may also stay in school until age 18 to prepare for higher education.The percentage of young people entering universities in Britain is far loer than in the United States, here more than half attend. In Britain the proportion has risen from one in six in 1989 to almost one in three in 1996. In 1995 there ere 1.7 million students enrolled in higher education.Britain has more than 90 universities. British universities can be divided into several categories. The foremost universities are the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, both founded in the Middle Ages. The term Oxbridge is used to refer to both schools as a single entity, much as Americans ould use the term Ivy League in reference to the group of prestigious East Coast universities. Scotland has equivalent ancient institutions at Edinburgh, Glasgo, and St. Andres. Another type of university is the so-called redbrick varietyold and solid schools built in the 19th century hen bricks ere the standard building material. The large number of ultramodern universities that sprouted up in the last half of the 20th century is often called cement block and plate-glass universities. London has its on great schools, the enormous University of London and its orld-famous college, the London School of Economics.Students interested in a...
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