Education

Education is a big part of British life. It is mandatory and free for all children between the ages of 5- 16. But some parents prefer homeschooling their children.
They have been thinking to change the law in British Education.

The school year begins on 1 September (or 1 August if a term starts in August). Education is compulsory for all children from the next "prescribed day" which falls either on or after their fifth birthday to the last Friday in June of the school year in which they turn 16. This will be raised, in 2013, to the year in which they turn 17 and, in 2015, to their 18th birthday. The prescribed days are 31 August, 31 December and 31 March.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England)


School Years
The first year of full-time school for four to five year olds is called Reception. After a year (or less with staggered intakes) in Reception, children move into Year 1, then move up a year group each year. What can get confusing for parents is that many schools have different class numbers as well. Each child moves up a year group every year, as this is a standard national system. Schools can arrange classes in any way they want, and many, especially smaller schools, will have mixed age classes, so that a child can move up a year group in September, but stay in the same class for another year.
The final year of junior or primary school for most children is Year 6, and the first year of secondary school Year 7. Most will take GCSEs or similar qualifications in Year 11, at the age of sixteen. Strangely enough, the sixth form is still called the sixth form, even though the students will be in Year 12 and Year 13.
In a few areas in England, instead of infant (4 to 7 year olds) and junior (7 to 11) or primary (4 to 11), followed by secondary school (11 to 16/18), there is a system of lower, middle and upper schools. Lower schools are usually for 4/5 to 9 year olds, middle schools for 9 to 13 year olds and upper schools for 13 to 18 year olds.
In addition to year groups, schooling is divided up into key stages. The list below should help you to find out which key stage your child is in.
(Source: http://www.familylearning.org.uk/education_in_england.html)

Child's Age: 0 - 5 = Early Years Foundation Stage = Reception for age 4-5 = Pre-School, Day Nursery, Nursery School, Infant or Primary

Child's Age: 5 - 7 = Key Stage 1 = Year 1 and 2 = Infant or Primary

Child's Age: 7 - 11 = Key Stage 2 = Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 = Junior and Primary

Child's Age: 11 - 14 = Key Stage 3 = Year 7, 8 and 9 = Secondary

Child's Age: 14 - 16 = Key Stage 4 = Year 10 and 11 = Secondary

There are hundreds of universities, colleges and (basic) schools, including some of the most famous in the world (for example: oxford university).


School Days:
Structure of the typical school day in Primary school
09.00am Registration
09.10am School Assembly
09.30am Literacy Hour
10.30am Break-time
10.45am Numeracy Hour
11.45am Subject class
12.15pm Lunch
13.30pm Afternoon Registration
13.35pm Classes
14.45pm Break-time
15.00pm Classes
15.30pm End of school day

Note: it doesn't mean every Primary and Secondary school has the exact same systems.

Structure of the typical school day in Secondary school

09.00am Registration
09.20am Period 1
10.00am Period 2
10.40am Break
11.00am Period 3
11.40am Period 4
12.20pm Lunch
13.20pm Registration
13.40pm Period 5
14.20pm Period 6
15.00pm Period 7
15.40pm School ends


School Uniforms
Why do children wear a uniform?
This is something I hear a lot from people outside of UK. But if I'm very honest with you, I, personally, really like the idea of wearing school uniforms.
But here are some reasons why we wear school uniforms:
- Everyone is equal.
- Stops children showing-off their new expensive (design) clothes.
- Stops children worrying about their looks (what to wear each day, how to keep up with the fashion, how to look better than others..etc).
- Protect children from social pressures to dress in a certain way.
- Ensure children of all backgrounds and races feel welcome.


A Typical school in England
There are thousands of schools in England, and they all are different in their own ways. Some schools are much bigger and more modern looking than others and some are desperate for renovation. Some schools are private and some are not. Some schools are colourful and some are not. Every school is different, so it's pointless to compare.
But I'm going to show you anyway some photos of different kinds of schools (from inside and outside).

South Hampstead High School High-flying, selective, academic girls' school.

( http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_Hampstead_High_School_-_geograph.org.uk_-_485709.jpg)

St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School

(http://www.educationbase.co.uk/index.php?id=CC1463)

South Farnham School

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:South_Farnham_School.jpg)

Holy Trinity C of E Junior School

(http://www.htjce.co.uk/)

Thornhill Academy School

(http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/educating-yorkshire-filmed-at-dewsbury-school-1-5311343)

Classrooms

(www.houlton.co.uk)


(http://pocketfullofapps.com/2012/03/24/teachscapes-ipad-app-simplifies-teacher-observation.html)


What do school children eat at midday?
In British schools, children can normally choose between a cold or hot dinner provided by the school or a packed lunch taken from home.
Some children with families on very low incomes are entitled to a free school lunch, but most children pay for theirs.
A school lunch is usually around £1.50/student.

Every school has their own school lunch schedule, but here are some examples:

Monday: Roast lamb with mint sauce, jacket potato filled with cheese & spring onion, salad, dessert.
Tuesday: Spaghetti bolognaise, salad, dessert.
Wednesday: Rice and chicken, salad, dessert.
Thursday: Roast potatoes, roast pork with apple sauce, salad, dessert.
Friday: French beef stew, pasta, salad, dessert.


(http://whatsforschoollunch.blogspot.fi/2010/05/uk-school-lunch.html)


(http://unpackingschoollunch.wordpress.com/tag/school-lunch-in-england/)

Primary School - Subjects?
Subjects studied in Key Stage 2 (5- 11 year olds):
- Mathematics
- Information Technology (computers)
- Science
- Design and Technology
- English
- History
- Geography
- Religious Education (RE)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Music
- Art

Key Stage 3:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Information Technology
- Design and Technology
- English
- Modern foreign languages
- History
- Geography
- Physical Education
- Music
- Art
- Religious Education
- (for secondary pupils) Sex Education

Key Stage 4:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Design and Technology
- Information Technology
- English
- a Modern foreign language
- Physical Education
- Sex Education and Religious Education are also taught, although parents can choose not to let their child study these subjects.

Secondary School - Subjects?
- Mathematics
- Science
- Information and Communications Technology
- Humanities (History, Geography, and Religion)
- English
- Spanish or French
- Physical Education
- Drama
- Music
- Art