EDUCATION IN BRITAIN

600 – Foundation of King’s School Canterbury 600 – Foundation of King’s School Canterbury 1249 – Foundation of Oxford University 1249 – Foundation of Oxford University 1284 – Foundation of Cambridge University 1284 – Foundation of Cambridge University 1440 – Eton College founded 1440 – Eton College founded 1902 – Education Act on state secondary edu 1902 – Education Act on state secondary edu 1944 – Education Act – free secondary edu for all 1944 – Education Act – free secondary edu for all 1969 – Foundation of Open University 1969 – Foundation of Open University 1976 – Foundation of (private) Univ of 1976 – Foundation of (private) Univ of Buckingham Buckingham Education Act: School leaving age at 16 Education Act: School leaving age at 16 ● 1990 – Education (Students loans) Act

EDUCATION The British Educational system has three levels: The British Educational system has three levels: - schools - schools - further education (post-school) - further education (post-school) - higher education (university) - higher education (university) Schools are divided into two: Schools are divided into two: - state (maintained from public funds) - state (maintained from public funds) - independent (privately financed) - independent (privately financed)

England and Wales, Northern Island and Scotland have different school systems, though further and higher education generally has much the same structure throughout Britain, and is mostly funded by the state. England and Wales, Northern Island and Scotland have different school systems, though further and higher education generally has much the same structure throughout Britain, and is mostly funded by the state. Schooling is compulsory for 12 years, for all children aged 5 to 16. Schooling is compulsory for 12 years, for all children aged 5 to 16. The school year runs from September to July and the school day is usually from 9 a.m. to 3.30/4 p.m. The school year runs from September to July and the school day is usually from 9 a.m. to 3.30/4 p.m.

To monitor pupils’ performance, the government held a series of Standardized Assessment Tests (SATs)—taken at age 7, 11 and 14. To monitor pupils’ performance, the government held a series of Standardized Assessment Tests (SATs)—taken at age 7, 11 and 14. In 1944, R.A. Butler’s Education Act introduced the eleven-plus examinations. In 1944, R.A. Butler’s Education Act introduced the eleven-plus examinations. The major public exams which pupils face are those taken in individual subjects at age 16 and 18 respectively General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE) and Advanced (A) levels. The major public exams which pupils face are those taken in individual subjects at age 16 and 18 respectively General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE) and Advanced (A) levels.

New examinations, introduced in 1989, called Advanced Supplementary (AS) levels, are intended to provide a wider range of study. New examinations, introduced in 1989, called Advanced Supplementary (AS) levels, are intended to provide a wider range of study. The examinations are not set by the government, but by independent examination boards, most of which are associated with particular universities or group of universities. The examinations are not set by the government, but by independent examination boards, most of which are associated with particular universities or group of universities.

 Children, in Scotland, stay in the primary cycle until the age of 12.  They take the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) usually at the age of 16, and instead of A levels, take the Scottish Higher Certificate (SHC) which is more like continental European examinations, since it covers a wider area of study than highly specialized A level courses.  Scots pupils who wish to continue their studies beyond the Higher may take the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS).

Students at Cambridge

On leaving school at age 18, pupils become students at universities and colleges. On leaving school at age 18, pupils become students at universities and colleges. There are 87 universities in Britain, 71 in England, 12 in Scotland, 2 in Wales and 2 in North Ireland. There are 87 universities in Britain, 71 in England, 12 in Scotland, 2 in Wales and 2 in North Ireland. After 1979 the Conservative government tried to encourage a return to some of the old values. After 1979 the Conservative government tried to encourage a return to some of the old values. Through the Education Act (1986) and the Education Reform Act (1988) it introduced the greatest reforms in schooling certainly since 1944 Through the Education Act (1986) and the Education Reform Act (1988) it introduced the greatest reforms in schooling certainly since 1944

The main reforms included the introduction of a National Curriculum making certain subjects, most notably science and one modern language, compulsory up to age of 16. The main reforms included the introduction of a National Curriculum making certain subjects, most notably science and one modern language, compulsory up to age of 16. The comprehensive reforms became the standard form of secondary education. The comprehensive reforms became the standard form of secondary education. During the 1960s and 1970s there was also greater emphasis on education and training than ever before, with many colleges of further education established to provide technical or vocational training. During the 1960s and 1970s there was also greater emphasis on education and training than ever before, with many colleges of further education established to provide technical or vocational training.

The golden age of the public schools was the end of the 19 th century. Most public schools were located in the countryside. After 1945, before the introduction of comprehensives, when state-maintained grammar schools were demonstrating equal or grater academic excellence, the public schools began to modernize themselves. After 1945, before the introduction of comprehensives, when state-maintained grammar schools were demonstrating equal or grater academic excellence, the public schools began to modernize themselves. There can be no doubt that a better academic education can be obtained in some of the public schools. There can be no doubt that a better academic education can be obtained in some of the public schools.

THE STATE SCHOOL SECTOR Primary (5 – 11) Secondary (11 – 16/18) Pre-school (3 – 4)

THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SECTOR Pre-preparatory (4 – 8) Preparatory (8 – 13) Public schools Other independent (13-18) schools (11/13-18) (13-18) schools (11/13-18)

Britain is society where social class very important Britain is society where social class very important Educational policy can determine if class inequality can be erased or continued Educational policy can determine if class inequality can be erased or continued Continued debate over how “EQUAL” educational opportunity should be Continued debate over how “EQUAL” educational opportunity should be Important relationship between education and social class Important relationship between education and social class 51% working class 49% middle class but opportunities very different between classes 51% working class 49% middle class but opportunities very different between classes

Middle class parents are likely to be better able, and more concerned, to support their children’s study than low-income parents who themselves feel they failed at school. Middle class parents are likely to be better able, and more concerned, to support their children’s study than low-income parents who themselves feel they failed at school. There has been a considerable change since the 1960s in the proportion of undergraduate places taken by women. Unless one believes woman’s brains to be better geared to medicine and men’s to bridge-building, one must conclude that social expectations still hinder women from realizing their potential. There has been a considerable change since the 1960s in the proportion of undergraduate places taken by women. Unless one believes woman’s brains to be better geared to medicine and men’s to bridge-building, one must conclude that social expectations still hinder women from realizing their potential.

Men wear school ties as belts – proudly displaying attendance at certain school Men wear school ties as belts – proudly displaying attendance at certain school Attendance at certain school (like Oxford or Cambridge) is single best way to guarantee successful career Attendance at certain school (like Oxford or Cambridge) is single best way to guarantee successful career Where educated is very important for the future Where educated is very important for the future

Most public Univ was paid by govt Most public Univ was paid by govt Univ. of Buckingham exception (private) Univ. of Buckingham exception (private) Long history back to 12 and 13 th C. Long history back to 12 and 13 th C. Scottish univ: St. Andrews, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen 14 & 15 th C. Scottish univ: St. Andrews, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen 14 & 15 th C. Other univ. 19 th and 20 th C. Other univ. 19 th and 20 th C. 87 univ in Britain: 71 in England, 12 in Scotland, 2 in Wales and 2 in Northern Ireland. 87 univ in Britain: 71 in England, 12 in Scotland, 2 in Wales and 2 in Northern Ireland ,000 students in universities 87,000 from overseas(25,000 some funding) ,000 students in universities 87,000 from overseas(25,000 some funding) 1992 polytechs and other univs 1992 polytechs and other univs In 2000, 1 in 3 attend univ In 2000, 1 in 3 attend univ

Oxford University

Oxford Campus

1980s many higher education institutions were forced to reduce their staff and facilities in order to operate within tighter funding limits. 1980s many higher education institutions were forced to reduce their staff and facilities in order to operate within tighter funding limits Education Reform Act established the Universities Funding Council for disbursing government money to universities Education Reform Act established the Universities Funding Council for disbursing government money to universities. The council may require universities to produce a certain number of graduates, or to produce a certain number of qualified people in specific fields, particularly science and technology The council may require universities to produce a certain number of graduates, or to produce a certain number of qualified people in specific fields, particularly science and technology

CORE degree, + options CORE degree, + options 6 modules a year = 4 core modules + 2 options 6 modules a year = 4 core modules + 2 options 3° yr: half is project, third is 3 modules, essays 3° yr: half is project, third is 3 modules, essays Exams: 1° : fail= re-take(20% drop-out rate) Exams: 1° : fail= re-take(20% drop-out rate) 2° : goes towards degree 2° : goes towards degree 3°(4°) : Finals ( Bachelor) 3°(4°) : Finals ( Bachelor) Masters: ’value of old degrees’ No public oral exams/no dissertation to present in public

The Open University-No requirements to register, take courses through textbooks, TV, radio, correspondence, videos, residential schools and a network study centers The Open University-No requirements to register, take courses through textbooks, TV, radio, correspondence, videos, residential schools and a network study centers TOU-all walks of life-coal miners to housewives TOU-all walks of life-coal miners to housewives TOU inspired the founding of China’s TV and Radio University. BA, BS, MA, PhD TOU inspired the founding of China’s TV and Radio University. BA, BS, MA, PhD