CC BY
140
UDC 165
DOI 10.24411/2409-3203-2018-11665
UK EDUCATION SYSTEM
Gordon Emma
Student t of Wimbledon High School London, United Kingdom
Abstract. The article is a flexible education system in modern Great Britain, which consists of four levels; also describes the features of public and private schools. The article also presents educational opportunities for foreign citizens.
Key words: Elementary School, Secondary School, Further Education, High Education, GCSE, State School, Independent School.
High-ranking families from different countries of the world try to identify their children in prestigious British schools or universities, since studying in them guarantees not only the acquisition of in-depth knowledge but the acquisition of secular manners, British behavior and extensive connections in the world of business and politics.
The British system is flexible enough. Among the many diverse training courses you can always find exactly the one that suits you, and, if desired, you can change the selected subjects.
Regardless of age, nationality and religion, anyone who successfully passes the entrance examinations can study in educational institutions in the UK (you must pass the international English exam, documents from school, sometimes you can pass an educational test)
The modern education system in the UK consists of four levels: elementary (Elementary School), secondary (Secondary School), vocational or post-secondary (Further Education) and higher (Higher Education).
Preschool education takes place in kindergartens and preschool classes. Primary education is given to children from 5 to 11-12 years. From the age of 5, children attend two-year schools for children (pre-preparatory school), from 7 to 11 years old - primary schools (primary, elementary or preparatory school). From 11-12 years of age for children begins the stage of secondary education [2].
There are public and private schools in the UK. All schools adhere to a single educational minimum. Legislatively, compulsory free secondary education was introduced for schoolchildren under 16 years of age.
Graduates of school take final exams and receive a certificate of secondary education GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). This certificate is sufficient to start self-employment, but does not give the right to enroll in higher education.
Public Schools (State Schools) - free, designed to teach English children, as well as for foreigners from 8 to 18 years old, whose parents have the right to permanent residence in the UK [1].
International Colleges (International Colleges) - secondary schools that accept only foreign students from 14 to 18 years. Accommodation is offered both in student dormitories (on the school grounds) and in host families.
In international colleges, training is conducted in accordance with the British secondary school system. Subjects are taught: mathematics, physics, algebra and geometry, chemistry, biology, geography, human anatomy, sociology, political science, basic law, statistics, history,
music, visual arts, computers and programming, English, English literature, basic religion, one or several foreign languages (French, German, Spanish, etc.).
In addition to basic subjects, each school has additional ones, such as Latin, accounting, business fundamentals, economics, and some others [3].
International colleges along with school programs offer preparatory programs (Foundation) for entering universities. After successful completion, graduates are enrolled in universities with which there is an agreement on the recognition of the status of these courses. For foreigners wishing to pursue higher education in the UK, this is a very convenient opportunity.
The main condition for admission to a British university is an international certificate in English.
A year of study at the preparatory courses is a good practice and preparation for independent study in English at the university, and, besides, an opportunity to prepare and pass the necessary language exam.
Private schools (Independent Schools) - a more prestigious form of education mainly for English children (85%). The percentage of foreign students should not exceed 15%. These schools teach children from 8 to 18 years.
Good private schools are independent, well-equipped educational institutions that own about a few hundred hectares of land, on the territory of which educational buildings, sports facilities, a swimming pool, and residences are located. Accommodation is mainly in a residence, but some schools offer accommodation in local families [4].
State and private boarding schools, as a rule, have a good reputation, a long history and traditions.
In addition to schools in Britain, there are Tertiary Colleges, offering vocational (Vocational) education and being an alternative to A Level programs.
Tertiary College's vocational education involves professional activities after graduation, while A Level programs are prepared for university entrance.
Educational programs are constantly changing. The qualifications assigned at the end of these programs also change. Below are the most common professional qualifications.
References:
1. Adler, N. International dimensions of organizational behavior. (5thed.). Cincinnati, Ohio: South-Western, 2008.
2. Hofstede, G. Culture's Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions and Organizations Across Nations. 2nd Edition, Thousand Oaks CA: Sage Publications, 2011
3. Hofstede, G. and Bond, M.H. The Confucius Connection: From Cultural Roots to Economic Growth / Organizational Dynamics 16(4), 2009. - P. 5-21
4. Hofstede G., Hofstede G.J. Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill USA, 2012.
