English Studies - ESEF Dr. R.

Karmim
Semester 2 British Culture and
Groups 1/2/3 Society
2022/2023
British Education
Introduction
- The UK has a long history of educational institutions, with some of the earliest schools
dating back to the Roman times. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that formal
education became widely available, thanks in part to the introduction of state-funded primary
schools. In the 20th century, the focus shifted to providing universal access to secondary
education, with the introduction of comprehensive schools.
- Today, the education system in the UK is divided into four main stages: Early Years,
Primary Education, Secondary Education, and Higher Education.
- Early Years education is aimed at children aged 0-5 and includes nurseries, playgroups, and
reception classes in primary schools. This stage is designed to provide children with a solid
foundation in key skills such as communication, language, and social development.
- Primary Education starts at age 5 and lasts until age 11, with the curriculum including
English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, and
Computing. Primary schools in the UK are typically small and local, and children are taught
by a single teacher for most of the day.
- Secondary Education starts at age 11 and lasts until age 16, with the curriculum focusing on
core subjects such as English, Maths, and Science, as well as optional subjects such as History,
Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, and Art. In the UK, there are two types of secondary
schools: Comprehensive schools, which are non-selective and admit students of all abilities,
and Grammar schools, which are selective and require students to pass an entrance exam.
- After completing secondary education, students can choose to continue their studies in
Higher Education, which includes universities, colleges, and vocational training institutions.
The UK has some of the most prestigious universities in the world, including the University
of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the University of London.
- One of the defining features of the British education system is its emphasis on academic
achievement and excellence. The UK has a highly competitive system, with students required
to pass rigorous exams at every stage of their education. This focus on academic excellence
has led to the UK producing some of the world's most renowned scholars, scientists, and
artists.
- Another defining feature of the British education system is its commitment to diversity and
inclusivity. The UK is home to a diverse range of cultures, languages, and religions, and the
education system reflects this diversity by offering a broad range of subjects and curricula.
I- Schools
How the British teach
- Great changes took place in British education, encouraged and led by groups of
educationists who are always searching for new and progressive ways of teaching, and who
believe that children learn best by finding things out for themselves.
- Education in Britain is not as highly centralized as it is in many other countries. The central
Department of Education and Science in London guides, advises, and inspects, which means
it sends its inspectors around to schools to see that they are efficient, but the plan and
organization of education in England and Wales are in the hands of the 82 local Education
Authorities.
- The local education authorities are controlled by the Education Committees of the country
and Metropolitan District councils. Most of the money comes from the general grant provided
by the Treasury, but the government interferes as little as possible with the activities of the
local education authorities and of the schools. In the same way, the local education authorities
interfere as little as possible with headmasters and headmistresses. Teachers choose their own
books and are free to experiment in many different ways.
State (non-fee paying) schools
- State schools in the UK are public schools that are funded by the government and are free to
attend for all students.
- Grammar schools provide an academic education and are intended for those who may wish
to go on to higher education or professional training. Secondary modern schools teach some
academic subjects, but at a lower level, and are essentially for children who are unlikely to go
on to higher education. The few technical schools specialize in technical subjects.
Comprehensive schools (all-inclusive) are grammar, secondary modern, and technical schools
rolled into one.
- All state schools are controlled by local education authorities. About half the money comes
from the Treasury, the rest from rates. Each school has a Board of Governors or managers, a
group of well-known local citizens who give their services to the school for free. The
governors take part in the appointment of the Headmasters and also help them to appoint the
staff.
- Before 1976 there was another type of secondary school: the direct grant school. There were
173 of them. These schools were not controlled by the local education authorities. They got
money directly from the Treasury, provided they offered 25% of their places to pupils from
the local education authorities' primary schools. The rest of their money came from
fee-paying pupils. Then the labor party refused them any Treasury grants. They were given
the choice of going comprehensive under local educational authorities or becoming
independent. Most of them went independent.
- Church schools (mostly Anglican and Roman Catholic) also received aid from the local
education authorities and are not fee-paying.
- Education is free and compulsory from the ages of five to 16.
Comprehensive Schools
- Comprehensive schools are a type of state school in the UK that do not select students based
on academic ability or aptitude, and instead aim to provide a broad and balanced education for
all students, regardless of their background or prior academic achievement. Comprehensive
schools typically offer a wide range of academic and vocational subjects, and may also
provide extracurricular activities such as sports, music, drama, and clubs. Unlike selective
schools, such as grammar schools, which require students to pass an entrance exam,
comprehensive schools are open to all students within their catchment area, or sometimes
based on other criteria such as proximity or sibling attendance.
Private or independent (fee-paying) schools
- Private or independent schools in the UK are schools that are not funded by the government
and instead charge tuition fees for students to attend. These schools are also known as
fee-paying schools. Private schools may have a religious or non-religious affiliation, and often
have smaller class sizes and more individual attention for students. Private schools may also
have more resources for extracurricular activities, such as sports facilities, music and drama
departments, and clubs. Entrance to private schools is usually selective and based on
academic ability, aptitude, or other criteria such as interviews, exams, or assessments. Private
schools in the UK are regulated by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and must meet
certain standards for education, welfare, and safety.
School examinations
- In the UK, school examinations are an important part of the education system and are used
to assess students' academic progress and achievement. The most common types of school
examinations in the UK are:
 1- GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education): These are taken by
students at the end of their secondary education (usually at age 16) and assess a
range of subjects, including English, Maths, Science, and Humanities. GCSEs are
graded on a scale from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest).
2- A-levels (Advanced level): These are taken by students if they are more
specialized, focusing on specific subjects such as Maths, English Literature,
Physics, or History. A-levels are graded on a scale from A* (highest) to E
(lowest).
3- BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council): These are vocational
qualifications that cover a wide range of subjects, including engineering, health
and social care, and creative arts. BTECs are graded on a Pass, Merit, Distinction,
or Distinction* scale.
- Examinations in the UK are typically externally assessed, meaning they are marked by
independent exam boards, rather than the students' teachers. In addition to written exams,
some subjects may also include coursework or practical assessments, which are marked by
teachers and moderated by the exam boards. The results of these examinations are used to
determine students' grades and qualifications, which are important for further education and
employment opportunities.
II- Universities and Colleges
British universities can be divided roughly into three main groups
1- The old universities: Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest universities.
Scholars were studying there in the early 13th century. Since that time they have
continued to grow, the most recent additions being in 1965 and 1966. Until the
19th century, Oxford and Cambridge were the only two universities in England,
and there was no place for girls.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, four universities were founded in Scotland: St
Andrews in 1411, Glasgow in 1450, Aberdeen in 1494, and Edinburgh in 1583.
2- The red brick universities: these include all the provincial universities of
the period from 1850 to 1930, as well as London University. The term red brick
is not used much today, but it is a useful way of describing this group of
universities, many of which were built with the favorite building material of the
time; red brick.
3- The new universities: these are all the universities founded since the second
world war. Because of their more modern approach to university courses, some
 students choose the new universities in preference to other universities. But
Oxford and Cambridge are still the main attraction.
- As of 2021, there are over 130 universities in the UK. Additionally, there are also a number
of colleges and institutions of higher education that offer specialized courses or vocational
qualifications, such as further education colleges, art colleges, and music conservatories. The
exact number of colleges and institutions in the UK is difficult to determine as it is constantly
changing due to mergers, closures, and new establishments.
Studies and degrees
- Higher education in the UK is characterized by a strong emphasis on academic excellence
and research, with a wide range of degree programs available across a variety of disciplines.
The typical pathway for higher education in the UK is as follows:
1- Undergraduate study: Undergraduate degrees in the UK usually last for three
years, although some courses, such as medicine, may last longer. The most
common undergraduate degree is the Bachelor's degree, which is awarded in a
range of subjects, including arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
Undergraduate degrees typically involve a combination of lectures, seminars, and
independent study, and may include practical or lab work, depending on the
subject.
2- Postgraduate study: Postgraduate degrees in the UK are designed for students
who have completed an undergraduate degree and wish to further their education
in a specific area. Postgraduate degrees may include a Master's degree (usually
one year of study) or a Doctorate (PhD), which can take several years to complete.
Postgraduate degrees in the UK typically involve a significant amount of
independent research, as well as lectures, seminars, and sometimes practical or
lab work.
- Degrees in the UK are typically awarded based on a combination of coursework and
examination performance, with a final grade or classification awarded based on the overall
performance of the student. The most common degree classifications in the UK are:
First-class honors (1st), Upper second-class honors (2:1), Lower second-class honors (2:2),
and Third-class honors (3rd)
- Higher education in the UK is highly respected internationally, with many of its universities
ranked among the best in the world for research and teaching.
Who pays?
- The cost of higher education in the UK is split between the government and the individual
student. The government provides funding to universities to cover the cost of teaching and
research, and also offers financial support to eligible students through loans, grants, and
scholarships.
- Undergraduate students in the UK are typically eligible for government-backed student
loans to cover the cost of tuition fees, which are paid directly to the university. In addition,
students can also apply for maintenance loans to help with living expenses such as
accommodation and food. The amount of funding available depends on a range of factors,
such as household income and whether the student is studying full-time or part-time.
- Postgraduate students are also eligible for government-backed loans to cover the cost of
tuition fees and living expenses, although the amount of funding available is typically lower
than for undergraduate students.
- International students who are not citizens of the UK are required to pay higher tuition fees
than UK students. These fees vary depending on the university and the course of study.
- In addition to government funding, there are also a range of scholarships and bursaries
available to students in the UK, which are offered by universities, charities, and other
organizations. These can be based on academic achievement, financial need, or other criteria.