listen to the text secondary education in britain

The Education System in the UK

Introduction.

listen to the text secondary education in britain

School in the UK is compulsory between the ages of five and sixteen. Children younger than five can go to a toddler group (accompanied by a parent), playgroup or nursery school.

Compulsory schooling begins at the age of five. Pupils first attend primary school, which lasts for six years. Often primary school in the UK is divided into infant school (the first two years) and junior school (the following 4 years).

After primary school, students go to secondary school until they are sixteen (practical emphasis) or 18 (secondary school with 6th form - academic emphasis).

The school year consists of three terms. Students have about 12-13 weeks of holiday per school year.

When students in the UK say what year they are in, they usually use cardinal numbers, e. g. ‘year ten’. (In the USA, students would use ordinal numbers, e. g. ‘tenth grade’.)

At primary school, classes run Monday to Friday from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are usually between 25 and 35 pupils in one class. They primarily learn how to read, write and count. They also learn something about their country and about religion and they begin to study their first foreign language.

At secondary school, classes also run Monday to Friday, but are usually from about 8.45 to 3.30. Typical mandatory subjects are English, maths, natural sciences (biology, physics, chemistry), modern languages (French, German, Spanish), religion, citizenship, physical education, information and communication technology, geography and history. Apart from these, schools also offer optional courses from which their students can choose. At the age of sixteen, students usually sit several exams and decide whether they want to leave school or continue in a 6th form college.

Gifted and talented students can choose to enter for examinations early (one year or several terms) and then take additional courses in these or other subjects.

Grading Scale

In the UK (as in other English speaking countries) letter grades are used in reports.

A > 80% (excellent)
B > 70% (very good)
C > 60% (improvement needed)
D > 50% (close fail)
E > 40% (fail)
F < 40% (fail)

In general, only grades A to C are a 'pass'. Still, in the UK no student has to repeat a year – weak students can take extra lessons at school.

Different Kinds of Schools

Most students in the UK are enrolled in state funded schools. These are financed through taxes, so parents do not have to pay for their children's education. But there are also numerous private schools, also known as independent schools, where education is not free of charge.

Students can choose to attend a co-educational school or a single sex school.

School Uniforms

It is common for students in the UK to wear school uniforms. They consist of:

blazer or sweater with school logo
shirt and tie or polo shirt / t-shirt
dark trousers or dark skirt
black shoes

At some schools, students are required to wear a shirt and a tie, other schools only require a t-shirt or sweater. The colour of the uniform also depends on the school – blazer, sweater, trousers and skirt are usually blue, grey, green or brown.

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Understanding Education in the UK and the British School System

Written by: Larry Walder

August 29, 2022

Time to read 7 min

Many TEFL/ESOL course books refer to the school and education system in Britain in various contexts for different ages and levels of ability. A lot of TEFL/ESOL teachers around the world originate from Britain and can talk from first hand experience of the British system. But not everyone can do that. In any case, the education system of Britain and the schools where lessons are taught are often changing and evolving. First hand knowledge and experience can soon become dated.

In this article, we will begin with an overview of the British Education system as it stands in 2022, which could be used as a reading comprehension exercise in its own right. (A paired gap text version of the text is available to download at the end of this post). We will then suggest some interesting ways in which references to the English Education system could be integrated into your TEFL/ESOL syllabus.

An Overview of the British Education System

The first thing to note is that there is no such thing as a British Education system. The four individual countries of the United Kingdom each have their own system and educational policies. Wales tends to follow the English system quite closely, but Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own unique structures and procedures. In this article we will concentrate on the English system simply because England has by far the largest student population of the four countries.

In England, education is compulsory and free of charge from the age of five until the age of eighteen. Some parents choose to send younger children to Nursery School or Kindergarten from the age of three or four. After 18, some students continue with further education. Academic degree courses mostly take place in universities while colleges cater for more vocational courses.

The school day varies in different parts of England but is usually roughly between 9am and 3 or 4pm. Many schools incorporate a lunch hour during which pupils can obtain hot or cold food to eat in school. Most schools have a compulsory school uniform or dress code.

Types of School in the UK

Primary education is usually divided into Infant School for 5 and 6-year-olds, and Junior School for 7 to 11-year-olds.

At age 11 pupils start Secondary school. There are two main types of Secondary School. Most students go to a Comprehensive School which caters for students of all abilities. In theory, parents can choose which school to send their children to, but in practice it often depends on places available in a given geographical area. Some students attend a Grammar school for which they often have to pass an entrance exam. Grammar schools generally cater for more academically inclined students. In both these types of schools, students have to study the National Curriculum.

The National Curriculum

The National Curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so that children learn the same things in all parts of the country. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject. There are three core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science plus Physical Education (sport) which students have to study all through their school career. There are other foundation subjects such as Computing, History and Geography which students must study until the age of 14. From the age of 11 to 16 students also have to study Citizenship.

In most subjects, the National Curriculum is divided into four Key Stages and students are tested at each of the four levels to check they have achieved the required standards. These National Curriculum Tests are still usually known as SATs (Standard Assessment Tests).

There are also some Private Schools (where parents have to pay) and schools, such as Academies and Free Schools, which are able to opt out of the national curriculum and specialise in particular subjects, although academies must also teach English, Maths and Science.

The main school leaving exams that English students take are GCSE ‘O’ Levels at age 16, and GCSE ‘A ’Levels or the IB (International Baccalaureate) at age 18. You need ‘A’ levels or an IB to enter university. Universities set their own entry requirements each year depending on what courses they are able to offer and how many spaces they have. The number of ‘A’ levels each applicant has and the grades they achieve in each subject are taken into account.

For more in-depth information about the English national curriculum and details about what is taught in every subject visit the government site .

Practical Ideas

So now we have an overview of education in Britain what can we pick out that might be interesting, relevant, and useful in an English Language lesson?

Penfriends and Partner Schools

One of the best contexts within which to talk about the British School System is via personal experience. Does your school have a partner school in Britain? If not, could you and your class try to organise something as a class project? You can then exchange questions and answers with real people through letters, emails, social media or apps like Zoom or Teams. This is an excellent way to find out about the daily life of students in Britain. For example, your students could discover what time and how their British contemporaries get to school, the relationship between students and teachers, how they feel about wearing a uniform, how much homework they have to do or what their long-term educational aspirations are. As an alternative you might already find schools, teachers or pupils in the UK who provide YouTube videos or podcasts about their school life.

Compare & Contrast

Across the age and ability range, school and education in the U.K. can be compared and contrasted with the educational framework in their own country. At a simple level they can, for example, use basic adjectives to say where the school day is longer or shorter, whether British students have to study more or fewer subjects, and whether it is easier or harder to be a student at home or in England. Intermediate and advanced students can use more complicated forms to compare and contrast school buildings at home and in the U.K. and classroom designs and layout. In many of the following suggestions the ability to compare and to describe similarities and differences using English, are key.

Cultural References

Food. It is very common for English children to have their midday meal at school. Is that the same in your student’s home country? Why/Why not? In Britain, the reasons students have lunch at school are historic and political. Perhaps you could find out what English schoolchildren are most likely to eat at school. Could you organise a School-Dinners project within your class in which you invite your students to research and recreate typical English school meals? If you are teaching in Britain maybe you could organise a visit to a local school.

Citizenship . For several years Citizenship has been a compulsory subject for English students over 14 years of age. In Citizenship Lessons students learn about law and politics and about the rights and responsibilities they have as citizens of The United Kingdom. Do you think this is a good idea? Do you have similar lessons in your own school? If not, what would your students suggest including in such lessons? This could be a rich topic for oral debate or written assignments for older students.

Diversity. Within ‘Citizenship’ lessons there are frequent references to diversity in the country and in the school. There is an emphasis on equality and respect in matters of race, religion, sexuality and gender identification. A visit to most English schools will quickly confirm that the English classroom is a very culturally diverse environment. Is this the same where you live? Again, references to British schools and education can be a jumping-off point for wider discussion of diversity and multiculturalism.

Uniform. Most English schoolchildren have to wear a uniform. The pros and cons of uniforms can form the basis of some interesting class debates. Moreover, describing uniforms can provide a useful revision of vocabulary for clothing and descriptive adjectives and phrases. You could instigate some project work in which students have to design (and perhaps even make) an imaginary uniform, perhaps taking environmental issues into account. Most school uniforms include a badge with a crest or design on it. Students often enjoy designing their own badges, the English element of such an activity can be explaining what the various elements of the badge mean or represent. For older students it might be interesting to look more deeply into the historical and political aspects of British school uniforms

Exams. It should be possible to get hold of old ‘O’ Level and ‘A’ Level exam papers from England. These can be used to supplement materials you are already using to revise for your own exams but can also be used to give an insight into what British students are required to know and do. Your students might be surprised at some of the differences.

Subjects. While your students might be familiar with the English names of subjects studied at school it can be useful to get them to define and explain them in English. Subjects of the curriculum are also good candidates for anagrams and vocabulary guessing games.

Universities and further education. Your students might be interested to know about routes and pathways to Higher Education in The United Kingdom. Some of them might even want to study in Britain. Euroeducation.net provides a useful guide including information about types of higher education institutions, degree courses and other branches of study, admission requirements, the curriculum and teaching methods used at British Higher Education establishments. You can find the guide here .

We hope this article has given you some ideas which could be integrated into the TEFL/ESOL course you are teaching your students. We are always happy to receive feedback and further suggestions in the comments.

Education in Britain

Britain's school and university systems.

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The British education system

State schools

Independent schools, school exams, universities and higher education, courses and degrees, english language schools.

School of Education

University of Buckingham

Why are English schools not using textbooks? By Professor Barnaby Lenon

In England 10% of 10-year olds are issued textbooks; in South Korea – 99%. In secondary science 8% of pupils in England are issued with textbooks compared to 88% in South Korea, 92% in Taiwan.

Why are English schools not using textbooks? Cost is a factor, but as important is the growing use of copied worksheets and handouts. Worksheets have certain advantages (bespoke to the class, pupils have to focus on that one piece of paper) but some disadvantages (easily lost, rarely organised in the file). Textbooks are dying out because more materials are now available online. And the emphasis in some schools on differentiated learning has discouraged the notion of ‘one resource for all.’

The demise of textbooks is a downward spiral – if schools don’t buy textbooks, publishers cannot afford to produce them. In the past a small number of outstanding teachers earned a good living producing wonderful, captivating textbooks and these people are now being lost to the system.

So what’s so good about textbooks? Textbooks are better than online resources or paper handouts in several ways:

1) They are easier to issue (two minutes at the start of the year) and much easier to refer back to (‘let’s return to page 45 which we did last October’).

2) They are a big part of the solution for the child who joins a course late or who misses a large piece of work.

3) They are a resource which parents can use to help their children.

4) The best textbooks contain exercises, questions and worked examples – perfect for setting homework and for testing understanding.

5) For sixth formers especially, learning to make notes from texts is a vital skill they will need at university. With the advent of handouts, fewer and fewer students are learning to make notes.

6) Textbooks are far better for revision than handouts (many of which will have been lost).

7) Textbooks CAN be used for differentiated learning – all pupils use the same book but work through it at different rates.

8) The best textbooks, like those used for maths in Singapore and Shanghai, lead the pupil and teacher through the syllabus in ways which are extremely effective. They save the teacher hours of lesson preparation time as all the essential materials have been written for you by experienced teachers.

9) Paper text is more effective for learning than screens: see Delgado, Vargas, Ackerman and Salmeron, Educational Research Review September 2018: Don’t throw away your printed books: a meta-analysis on the effect of reading media on reading comprehension. This review looked at 54 studies with 171,000 participants and concluded that paper-based reading let to better learning than digital text.

If you ask people aged 40+ if they can remember textbooks they used at school the answer is usually ‘yes’. But more than just the title of the book, they can remember individual pages and diagrams in the text. Will today’s children be able to say the same of online screen displays?

Textbooks of the past had a huge impact on education. They not only reflected exam board syllabuses, they influenced them. The best textbooks were the curriculum. They determined the level to which the better students worked. Especially at A-level, the materials put out by exam boards do not pin down exactly what a child has to know – the level of detail and depth. It is textbooks that do that.

School libraries and school textbooks should be regarded as a vital resource in all schools. Good books go into depth, they elaborate on and clarify what has been taught in schools. They lodge in your mind.

By Professor Barnaby Lenon

Dean of Education, University of Buckingham

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United Kingdom

Secondary education and schools in the UK

How to send your child to an English school? Tuition fees and the learning process in UK schools

Secondary education in England is one of the main pillars of the British economy: a strong school system prepares millions of teenagers for university education every year.
Residents of any country can send their child to an English school as early as the elementary school stage (from 4 years old).
Foreigners can only study in private schools.
The main accommodation options are in a boarding school or with a guardian.
Until the child turns 12, a parent can stay in the country on a special Parent of a Child Student accompanying visa.
A key requirement for applicants is proficiency in academic English. Schools conduct additional entrance tests in basic subjects in English.
Foreign students enter secondary school from 11-13 years old. The last two years of studies are devoted to the standard school program — GCSE.
For further admission to a British university, you must complete the British A-Level high school program or the International Baccalaureate program.
The school itself decides which year of study in Britain corresponds to the level of knowledge of the foreign student. Transferring immediately to the second year of GCSE or A-Level programs is highly discouraged.
In British educational institutions, there are also special Foundation preparatory programs, whose students receive conditional admission to partner universities in the UK .
Full board. Most international schools in England offer not only quality education and a friendly atmosphere, but also comfortable living conditions under the roof of the school itself — such educational institutions are called boarding schools . They provide everything for comfortable living and studying: from a separate room and three meals a day to reading clubs and a personal mentor. A similar practice has existed since the 18th century: at that time wealthy citizens would send their sons to boarding schools in order not only to educate but also to make them into real gentlemen. In this context, “sending a child to school” means the beginning of an important stage in their life, which will save parents from routine household worries and give the child the first experience of independent life, albeit under constant supervision from the school staff.
Image . British pragmatism strives for economical and social effectiveness while retaining the ancient traditions. School curricula combine classics and innovations: students simultaneously learn Latin and programming languages, read Shakespeare and Foucault, study colonial history and analyze modern international relations. Graduates of English schools are brilliantly literate and business savvy, which provides them with excellent prospects for many years to come.
Discipline . English schools, especially boarding schools, take discipline very seriously. The student’s day is scheduled almost by minutes — from the exact time of breakfast to the schedule of evening activities. To some, this method may seem too strict, but it allows to give as much knowledge as possible to the child while ensuring the greatest possible safety.
Funding . It is very important for the UK government to maintain an excellent image of the educational system, so the schools are constantly being modernized. The government spends more than 78 billion GBP/year on the development of primary and secondary education [1] , and private sector investments amount to about 11 billion GBP/year. Together they provide significant resources to guarantee that English education maintains the highest technical and quality levels.
Multinationals . England, especially London, has a rather open cultural policy and accepts many talented foreigners. In British society, one rarely encounters discrimination or arrogance towards people from abroad, since the main criterion here is personal success. Therefore, a foreigner who gets into an English school will find a comfortable atmosphere of diversity.
Discounts and scholarships. Despite the huge prices, many British schools offer students, including foreigners, special conditions. For example, 10-15% discounts for the second child. There are also grants for talented students. They can be obtained both on the basis of academic success and for special achievements in the fields of music, sports, and theatrics. However, this is quite difficult — in addition to the portfolio, candidates need to pass additional exams or creative tests.
International ranking. The positive image of English schools is confirmed, among other things, by the actual academic success of students. According to the international assessment program PISA , in Reading, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences, English schoolchildren are ranked 17th, 14th, and 14th, respectively [2] .
Conservatism . The image of a rational and traditional Englishman is not a tourist myth: England is a rather conservative country where pragmatism and order in everything are appreciated. To this day, in many English schools, boys study separately from girls, and each day of the students is strictly scheduled from early morning until evening. They also wear a special uniform with the coat of arms of the institution.
Elitism . Private schools in England are often the subject of criticism: a significant portion of English families cannot afford to send their children to a private school, which makes the division into rich and poor more and more obvious. The former are almost always guaranteed a good future, and the opportunities for the latter are noticeably reduced. For example, in 2006, more than half of freshmen at Oxford University graduated from private English schools, while graduates from public institutions, which are the majority in the country, made up less than 30% of the university students.
Selectivity. The special prestige of secondary education makes most schools selective. This means that even if parents have a sufficient amount of money, top-ranking schools take only students with excellent academic performance and, preferably, an assortment of other talents. Learning in such an impeccable environment imposes a huge responsibility on the child and can cause much stress.
Nuances of admission. The procedure for admission to British educational institutions is rather chaotic. Each school itself determines the criteria and timing of selection: top schools accept applications 2-4 years before the start of the classes. In addition, foreign students are not always enrolled in the year appropriate for their age. The school may deem the child's knowledge insufficient and assign them to a younger group. The two-year GCSE and A-Levels programs are, in principle, considered indivisible, so it is impossible to transfer immediately to the second year.

System of secondary education in the UK

Education in the UK is compulsory for all citizens from 5 to 16 years old. Education in state schools takes place in key stages . They assume a single national curriculum and uniform standards for all students.

Early Years Foundation Stage

An optional educational stage with gamified learning, a kind of kindergarten for British children. The last year (aka reception year ) prepares for starting school.

Key Stages 1-2

The primary school program includes 10-12 basic subjects: core subjects and Foundation subjects . The student takes Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) at the end of each year in English, mathematics, and science.

Key Stages 3-4

With the transition to high school, the array of disciplines expands, additional subjects are introduced . In the end, students take GCSE exams and receive a General Certificate of Secondary Education.

Key Stage 5

An optional step outside the national curriculum. It is necessary only for those who are going to enter a university. Final exams depend on the program: IB, A-level, Pre-U, or AP.

These stages are valid in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Scottish system has a number of differences [3] .

Private schools have similar levels, but they usually have different names and clearly define the minimum age requirements for admission:

Private schools do not follow the national curriculum. They offer students more disciplines, including non-standard ones, aimed at practice and personal development.

Tuition fees in UK schools

The table shows the approximate cost per year of study. The exact prices must be checked on the schools' websites.

Types of schools in the UK

Schools in England are divided not only by the type of ownership (state or private) but also by the organization or church affiliation, funding scheme, specialization, access for foreigners.

Private, or independent, schools are open to students from other countries and offer special adaptation programs for them, while state schools are available only to British citizens and foreigners with permanent resident status.

Independent schools in the UK

Education in an independent school is paid, but it is an investment in the child's future. It is the first step towards entering a top university, which determines the future competitiveness of a graduate in the labor market.

Unlike state schools, private schools can experiment with the curriculum. But this does not mean that they are left to fend for themselves. The quality of the programs is controlled by special organizations: Ofsted and Independent Schools Inspectorate .

Typically, private schools strive to make learning more applied. Each year, more projects, practical courses, and creative activities are added to the schedule. Many schools also devote time to the psychological condition and health of the students. For example, King's College School has included empathy classes in the curriculum. There, students are taught how to deal with anxiety, rest properly, and develop awareness to reduce the negative impact of their surroundings.

Independent schools can be categorized:

By age of students: preparatory, secondary, Sixth Form. If the school is only Prep or only Sixth Form, this is usually reflected in its name. If not, then most likely the school combines all levels or at least 2 of them (for example, from 11/13 to 18 years old).
By sex : mixed (co-ed) and single-sex schools .
D ay schools — the student comes to school every day and returns home in the evening.
B oarding schools — the student lives in the residence under the supervision of the school staff and goes home only for the holidays.
Specialty : faith schools, specialist schools. There are not many of the latter, but you can find those that specialize in music, theatrics, dancing, or sports.

You can also often see the term "public schools." By drawing an analogy with American public colleges and European universities, one might think that these are free public institutions. However, in England, the opposite is true: a public school is an independent educational institution created on a public (that is, non-state) initiative. They first began to appear about 300 years ago and after two centuries have become the most prestigious and most selective schools. As a rule, they have the highest requirements for future students.

Boarding schools are a type of public school, especially relevant for foreign families. The boarding school is an educational institution that, together with the educational services, offers accommodation in a school residence, three meals a day, and supervision of the students. Historically, it is this form of school that has gained the greatest popularity in developed countries: living on the territory of the school teaches discipline, allows you to immerse yourself in the educational process, and establish strong friendships with teachers and peers. To enter the best boarding schools, you will have to pass entrance exams. The cost of studying at a boarding school is usually higher than at a day school.

Tuition fees in mixed boarding schools in the UK

Requirements for studies in mixed boarding schools.

From the 18th century until today, the practice of single-sex schools has been quite common in the UK. These are usually boarding schools, but such day schools also exist. It is believed that all-male groups are more competitive, and boys in general are more active, therefore, in schools for boys much attention is paid to sports education. In female groups, on the contrary, the spirit of mutual support and overall greater tranquility is usually noted, so in girls schools there is much more focus on book clubs and group projects.

Despite the fairly progressive views of the British regarding emancipation and feminism, the supporters of these practices are still numerous in the UK. As a rule, the connoteurs of separate education uphold the idea that schoolchildren will not be distracted from their studies by romantic intrigues. It is supposed that such an order teaches students to take on all the functions needed to live an independent life without dividing the tasks into "male" and “female” ones. However, the question remains of how the child’s view of the world and the opposite sex can be formed without any real interaction in the early period of life. The final choice is up to the parents and the child.

Tuition fees in UK single-sex boarding schools

Admission requirements in uk single-sex boarding schools.

Specialist schools are for those who have already decided to connect their lives with such areas as academic music, dancing, arts, and sports. Usually these are boarding schools. The selection for such a school is not based on past academic performance, but on the child’s talents. Proofs of the latter could be a portfolio of drawings, recordings of speeches and all kinds of awards at local and international competitions. The best masters of their craft work as teachers in such schools, which allows the students to develop their talents to the professional level.

Tuition fees in UK specialist schools

Admission requirements in uk specialist schools.

Once religious schools were considered very strict and intolerant organizations. Today they have a much more favorable image. Faith schools are sponsored by the Church of England or charities and can follow the canons of Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, or Hinduism. As a rule, these schools should not be subject to the national curriculum, but their activities are controlled by officials: for example, no Faith school has the right to teach creationism as the only theory of the origins of the universe or to enforce religious ideas. Usually, children from moderately religious families study here, as parents value not only fundamental education, but also moral, ethical, and cultural foundations provided by religion. Admission to religious schools is available to foreigners and, most often, without entrance exams. Some schools (mostly Jewish) guarantee full boarding.

Tuition fees in faith schools in the UK

Admission requirements in uk faith schools.

Sixth Form is one of the most sought-after study options for international students. It is, essentially, the last stage of secondary education preceding the university.

Sixth Form colleges are special private institutions that prepare students for Advanced Levels graduation testing over 2 years of study. Preparation for that exam also takes place in ordinary schools, but according to statistics, it is the graduates of Sixth Form who pass A-Levels with the highest scores.

Sixth Form colleges are very selective and considered to be the most expensive secondary education sector in England. One trimester of study and accommodation can cost from 11,401 USD to 19,002 USD . Sixth Form offers both full-time and boarding type studies.

Tuition fees in Sixth Form Colleges in the UK

Admission requirements in sixth form colleges in the uk, best independent schools in the uk.

When choosing a school, parents inevitably pay attention to the rankings of the schools. In Britain, they are compiled by specialized media on a commercial basis. For example, The Times and The Telegraph . They are usually based on GCSE/A-levels or IB results (see below). But here we decided to list the public schools which stand out for their reputation as the best ones, regardless of the results of the final exams. They are especially difficult to enter because of their selectivity.

State schools in the UK

Education in state schools is free, but is available only to taxpayers, that is, those who permanently live in England, be it an Englishman or a foreigner with a permanent residence permit. If the school offers full boarding, the parents pay boarding fees. Some schools have paid courses for international students.

The list includes:

comprehensive schools;
grammar schools;
free schools;
university technical colleges;
studio schools.

Top-ranking state schools in the UK

Top public schools, just like the private ones, are mostly selective. This means that, despite fee absence, not everyone can enroll there. Pupils are evaluated by their academic performance and exams.

Source: The Times

Academic year in UK schools

Classes in British private schools take place from September to July. The academic year is divided into terms, or trimesters, each lasting 12 weeks. More traditional schools use special names coined by the University of Oxford.

Each trimester is also divided into two parts, between which there is a week of vacation — in October, February, and May, respectively. Boarding school students can go home during the main holidays:

Winter / Christmas — 2 weeks from mid-December;
Spring / Easter — 2 weeks from the end of March (dates change every year);
Summer — 6 weeks from the end of July.

Some international schools prefer the semester system.

Primary / Prep School in the UK

Structure and learning process.

Up to 5 years old children can attend kindergarten — Nursery/Pre-Prep school. Here kids learn to understand the world around them, communicate, and express emotions. Teachers playfully lay the foundations for counting and writing, develop creative skills, and conduct physical education. The main emphasis here is not so much on knowledge as on socialization.

Private elementary schools are most commonly referred to as Prep Schools. As a rule, at this stage, the main curriculum is aligned with national recommendations and includes two stages:

Key stage 1

Age from 5 to 7, Years 1-2

Key stage 2

Age from 7 to 11, grades 3-6

Often, private schools extend the Prep School stage until 13 years of age.

From the first year, children already learn the basics of 10 subjects:

Core subjects : English, Mathematics, Science
Foundation subjects : Geography, History, Computing, Music, Art and Design, Physical Education, Design and Technology, foreign languages (from the third year) [5]

In addition, private schools offer a number of creative and sports sections, such as drama or swimming, as well as subjects aimed at personal development — personal, social, and health education (PSHE).

The last two years (7-8 Years), if they are included in the Prep School, directly prepare students for the Common Entrance, the main exam for admission to an independent high school. The British take it at the age of 13.

Prep school classes accommodate 8-20 people. Lessons are held from about 8.30 to 16.00 with a lunch break, after which students are engaged in hobby clubs and sports sections. Up to Year 7, children have few homework assignments. They often take up only 20-40 minutes a day, plus independent reading and review of what has been learned.

Grading system

Pupils receive interim grades for midterm tests / written papers, and at the end of each trimester, they take assessment tests. Many schools have additional informal reward systems — diplomas and certificates for excellence, weekly prizes, meetings with the Headmaster, etc. Several times a year, parents receive reports from the school about their child's progress. At the end of the school year, students take exams to advance to the next year. Unlike state schools, independent schools do not conduct SATs , but rather compose their own tests.

Accommodation

Primary schools rarely offer full boarding for young children: the minimum age for living at school is 7 years, more often children are sent to boarding schools once they are 11. Day schools that allow kids to stay in them from 7 am to 7 pm (similar to kindergarten) do exist. In the case of foreigners, parents of children under 12 years can obtain a special accompanying visa or appoint a guardian.

How to enroll in a British private school

Primary school applications close around October-November one year before the start of the classes. The registration fee is about 190 USD . The main entrance tests are held in November-January. As a rule, all stages of selection require a personal presence at a British school. Invitations are sent out in January-February. Specific dates must be checked on the schools' websites.

3+/5+ Entry . Even for enrollment in kindergarten or the first year of primary school, you need to qualify. At this stage, future students perform tasks while playing: for example, they cut out a figure, draw or make a collage. They sometimes also have conversations and solve puzzles one-on-one with a teacher or in a group.
7+ Entry . At the age of 7, schools test children's writing and arithmetics skills by means of small written tests — English and maths. Students answer questions, interpret simple tables, solve examples, write a short story, and more. ( example 1 , example 2 ). For the second (sometimes first) stage, candidates are invited to a Taster Day / Afternoon. In boarding schools, students also stay for a trial sleepover. For this time, each child is accompanied by an assigned high school student who helps the beginner to adapt.
11+ Entry . Here, students face more serious entrance exams in English and mathematics. Sometimes, reasoning tests are added. Candidates with good results are invited for an interview, most often this is an informal conversation to get acquainted with the candidate. It is possible to arrange a trial day at school before or after the exams.

For an independent primary school, you will need a Child Student visa. Parents of children under 12 are eligible to apply for a special Parent of a Child Student visa. It can be extended until the child completes their studies or reaches the age of 12. You cannot work in Britain on a Parent of a Child visa.

Progress report;
a letter of recommendation from a previous school (from a teacher or principal);
copy of the passport;
payment of the registration fee (about 190 USD );
for 11+ additional requirements are possible, for example, written work (essay, project, etc.);
individual achievements (if available).

After receiving the invitation:

payment of the Acceptance Deposit, on average 2,534-3,800 USD (fully or partially refunded after graduation);
Child Student visa.

The complete list must be checked on the school website.

Secondary / Senior School in the UK — GCSE

Secondary schools are traditionally divided into the following stages:

Key stage 3

Age from 11 to 14, Years 7-9

Key stage 4

Age from 14 to 16 years, Years 10-11

Private schools do not actually draw a clear line between the two levels. Instead, they organize high school admissions for multiple ages: 11+ Entry; 13+ Entry; if seats are available — 12+ and 14+ Entry.

From the age of 11, students continue to study some basic subjects from primary school. According to the national curriculum, the basics of Citizenship, Sex and relationship education, and career guidance are added to the schedule. Private schools form more individualized programs for children. Often, students choose 2-3 foreign languages or focus on art-related subjects. There are about 11 subjects in total.

From the age of 14, children begin to prepare for exams within the General Certificate of Secondary Education program. At the end of year 11, students receive a GCSE secondary education certificate. However, English GCSE does not give the right to enter the university.

The iGCSE variant is the same certificate but with an international focus. The British get it when they plan to enter educational institutions outside of England.

Typically, the GCSE program consists of 5-10 subjects.

Some schools formally divide them into 3 groups :

Core Curriculum . Compulsory basic subjects: mathematics, English, literature, natural sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics);
Optional Curriculum . The main program is selected according to the preferences of the student. There are no compulsory subjects here, but usually, students choose 1-2 foreign languages and 1-2 humanities (for example, geography, history, religious studies), as well as art or technology. Individual subjects can be studied at an advanced level within a specialized pathway program.
Extension Curriculum . The extended program depends on the school. Often it implies some subject unique to the school or an interdisciplinary project (individual or group).

All schools in one form or another include PSHE — personal, social, and health education — in the schedule. Some lessons or lectures are delivered by guest speakers. Much attention is paid to sports, drama, music, and other arts.

Classes begin at approximately 8.30 am, the last lessons end at approximately 4 pm. Then students attend additional courses: from Animation, Robotics, and Astronomy to Debates, Carpentry, and Fencing. Schools also organize trips and extracurricular activities within the boarding house. Every day, students prepare homework assignments for 2-3 subjects, each taking up about 40-50 minutes, but these requirements vary.

At the end of each term, there is an assessment week. Previously, all written works and final exams were graded on a letter scale: from A* (excellent) to U (extremely unsatisfactory). Since 2017, most schools have switched to the new 9-point grading system [6] .

Sometimes schools introduce their own evaluation systems and additional grades, not only for the actual success but also for the child's efforts. This helps to motivate students, even if they somewhat struggle with the subject. Schools also send progress reports to parents and host parenting days/seminars.

At the end of Year 9, students take internal school exams, at the end of Year 11 — GCSE exams for all the courses they have studied. High school graduates receive a general secondary education certificate/diploma. With it, you can enroll in high school programs (Sixth Form): A-level or IB. To graduate, it is enough to get grades of at least 4 in all subjects. To move to the Sixth Form, depending on the school's rating, grades 6-8 are required.

How to enroll in a British secondary school

Admission periods to UK high schools vary greatly. Registration closes at least one year before the start of classes (September-November). Then in October-January, internal entrance tests and exams are held. In December-January, schoolchildren are invited for interviews, and in February-March, the results are announced.

To some high-ranking schools, you need to apply 2-3 years in advance. In this case, students receive conditional admission to school based on tests’ results and other documents. The student is properly accepted only after they pass an exam or confirm their academic performance in the year of admission.

Examinations are conducted either by the school itself or by a special organization — Independent Schools Examinations Board ( ISEB ):

11+ Entry . ISEB Common Pre-Tests and/or internal school tests in mathematics, English, and reasoning. Sometimes — Common Entrance for 11+ girls [7] .
13+ Entry . To ranking schools: 2-3 years before admission — ISEB Common Pre-Tests and/or internal school tests in mathematics, English, and science; a year before admission — Common Entrance at 13+ . The rest of the schools only do either tests or Common Entrance at 13+ one year before admission.
14+ Entry . Internal school tests in mathematics, English, reasoning, and science. Applications 14+ are accepted only if there are vacant seats.

Exams can be taken in British schools. For foreigners, the requirements can be reduced. For example, a science exam is canceled and/or a simplified version of the English language exam is used — English as an Additional Language (EAL).

For schoolchildren from other countries, there is an alternative option — take the UKiset test either in a certified center in their country or online, by agreement with the school. More than 250 educational institutions accept UKiset instead of pretesting, some take it as their primary test. It is necessary to clarify the specific conditions and requirements in schools.

The next steps at any age:

Interview (in person or via Skype)
Assessment / Activity / Taster / Orientation Day . Includes group lessons, additional tests, interviews, and sometimes an overnight stay at the boarding school. Teachers observe how the child behaves socially
ISEB Common Pre-Tests . Held from October 1 to June 30 in British schools. Lasts 2.5 hours and includes multiple-choice questions in mathematics, English, and reasoning. Sample test .
Common Entrance 11+ . Held in November and January. Mostly passed in January. Includes tests in English, Mathematics, and Science.
Common Entrance 13+ . Held in November, January, and May/June. Compulsory subjects are English, mathematics, and science. Additionally includes 11 elective subjects, more often students pick geography, history, foreign language, and TPR. Examples .
UKiset . Lasts 2-2.5 hours, taken in English, includes questions on reasoning (verbal and non-verbal), mathematics, and English. Results come out the next day. The certificate is valid for a year, and you can retake it in 6 months. Possible test centers: British Council offices, Cambridge exam centers, international schools, educational agencies. The centers send the results to 5 schools for free, then take 63 USD for each additional one. Register on the website .
Progress report for the last two years;
a letter of recommendation from a previous school (usually from the principal);
depending on the school, there may be additional requirements: an example of written work (creative writing, essay, portfolio, review, research project), motivation letter or video;
individual achievements (if any);
payment of the registration fee (190-507 USD ).

After receiving an invitation (often before June):

payment of the Acceptance Deposit, on average it’s 2,534-3,800 USD (fully or partially refunded after graduation);

The full list must be checked on the school website.

Best English schools by GCSE results

Upper Secondary School / Sixth Form — A-Levels

Structure and study process.

In high school ( Key stage 5 ) students between the ages of 16-18 study. Most often this stage is called the Sixth Form. It is required only for those planning to enter a British university. Private schools offer several training programs, the most popular of which is A-Levels .

A-Levels — it is a two-year intensive preparation for the Advanced Levels final exams. When moving to Year 12, students choose 3-5 subjects for in-depth study. There are no compulsory disciplines at this stage, but there are recommended ones: mathematics, English, and one of the traditional school subjects — physics, chemistry, biology, history, or geography. When choosing additional subjects, it is imperative to take into account the future specialty: it can be law, media and communications, economics, design, art history, and others. Each school has its own set of courses, lists can be found on the official websites.

In the second year, students can abandon 1-2 disciplines and focus on the three main ones that are needed for later university admission. However, the first year of study will not be in vain: in the selected subjects, the student can receive the AS (Advanced Subsidiary) qualification. Sometimes, instead of the fourth subject, students make a project and earn an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Some universities award additional points for AS and EPQ.

The British also believe that extracurricular activities are equally important for personal development. Therefore, in addition to studying, high school students master sports, participate in various activities and make joint trips.

The division into classes of 10-15 people in high school is rather formal. Moreover, often in one group, there are students in both the first and second year of study. Each class is assigned a tutor or curator. This helps to individually approach the education of future university applicants.

The schedule depends on the school. Most lessons (here they are often called periods) run from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with a lunch break. For each A-level subject, approximately 6 lessons per week are allocated. Often these are double classes, reminiscent of higher education institutions’ schedules. In addition, schools fix the time for independent work — about 8-14 lessons per week.

As a rule, educational institutions do everything possible so that students can master exactly the subjects they want. However, some classes still overlap in time, which should be taken into account when choosing A-levels.

There is no single grading system at the high school stage. As a rule, each subject has its own specifics. There are courses where:

Work during the year is not assessed (or practical assignments are assessed on the pass/fail basis), the final grade consists of 3-4 exams (papers), which are either taken at the end of the course or gradually over the learning process.
There are no exams, the final grade consists of practical assignments and other written work during the year.
Written papers/assignments/projects/exams make up the final grade as in a certain proportion (e.g. two exams 80%, a 3,500-word essay — 20%).
In creative disciplines (drama, art, music), a play staging, a project, an interpretation of a literary work, or the portfolio gathered during the course can be assessed.

A-Levels exams are conducted by an independent committee. They can be taken in January or May-June, and most are held at the end of the school year. A-Levels results are recognized by universities throughout the UK as well as in the USA , Canada , Australia , Asia and Europe .

Sixth Form students can live with host families or with a guardian while attending day schools or 5-day boarding schools. However, more often than not, schools offer both local and foreigners full-time living at school throughout the entire year of study.

How to enroll in a British high school — Sixth Form

The high school application period closes in September-October a year or two before the start of school. Almost immediately (in October-November) entrance tests and interviews take place. Students receive invitations with conditional admission in December-January. The main enrollment is done after confirmation of academic performance. For graduates of British schools, these are GCSE exams (in August), for applicants from other countries — GPA after grade 10 or 11 (in June-July).

The selection of entrance tests depends on the school. They can be:

English tests — English as an Additional Language (EAL), mathematics and sciences;
EAL and separate tests in future A-levels subjects;
Ukiset , reasoning test and a free selection of 2 tests in future A-levels subjects.

To pass the tests, as a rule, you need to come to the school. Some educational institutions allow exams to be taken for a fee at the foreign offices of the British Council .

The Ukiset International Test is not a substitute for basic testing, but it is often a prerequisite for a preliminary assessment of the English language, especially of its use in other subjects. Usually, the results must be submitted at the same time as the application. Ukiset costs 374 USD .

Applicants will also face additional selection stages. Whether before or after the tests, is determined by the school:

Interview (in person or via Skype);
A tour of the school (often at the same time as the interview);
Final school grades.

It is worth checking the final grade requirements on the schools' websites. The student receives the relevant info in a letter along with the conditional admission. Some Sixth Form colleges accept 5s in the diploma (and foreign equivalent grades). Top-ranking schools only accept good and excellent grades (6 and above).

IELTS 6.5+;
Ukiset results (optional);
a letter of motivation;
Child Student visa, sometimes Student visa (depending on age).

Best British schools by A-levels results

Accommodation for school children in the uk.

A foreign student of an English school has two main options for living:

Boarding . Students live in a residence near the school. The school takes responsibility for the student, less often it is required to find a third-party guardian (citizen or resident of Britain). In some cases, schooling is only available with boarding, for example when the campus is located in a rural area or because of the special image of a private school. The accommodation includes all the amenities: a private room (accommodation for 1-2 people), a private bathroom, three meals a day, a gym, a dining room, lounges, and much more. It is not only safe and comfortable but also gives the student the opportunity to learn time management, undergo social adaptation and develop diplomatic skills. Many schools have adopted a system of “houses.” In Britain, these are not just dormitories, but communities of sorts. There are common playrooms, music and computer classes. Students develop independence, make friends, organize holidays and trips.
Host family . In this case, the student's parents must conclude a contract with a guardian agency that will select the family. The host party guarantees a separate room, three meals a day, sometimes pocket money. The advantage of this option is the opportunity to get an English upbringing, study the customs of the Brits, and get to know the culture of the country first-hand. In addition, parents have a choice of the type of family in which their child will live: it can be a single parent, an elderly couple, couples with children, or even military families.

Additional options:

Weekly , or 5-day , boarding . On weekends, the student spends time with a family or with a guardian, and the rest of the time they live in the school residence.
Occasional boarding . The student can stay in the residence for a limited number of times, for example, 2 times a week or 38 days per trimester, as agreed with the school.

UK AEGIS -accredited agencies:

Bright World
White House Guardianships
UK Guardians
LLE Guardianship Services
Academic Guardians UK

Prices vary depending on the agency. As a rule, you need to pay a registration fee (about 127 USD ), then up to 3,800 USD per year. You will also need to fund additional pocket money for the student, visits by the guardian to school, and the child's accommodation during the holidays.

Study programs in UK schools

In addition to the traditional British GCSE and A-level, schools in England implement a number of educational programs with their own features.

International Baccalaureate in the UK

International Baccalaureate is an international high school program developed in Switzerland half a century ago. Like the A-level, it prepares students for university admission. The program is implemented all over the world in accordance with uniform standards, thanks to which the diploma is recognized by universities in England, the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

IB in any country is often chosen by foreigners for whom their education is not enough to enter the desired university. However, in the case of Great Britain, there are also many Englishmen on this program. Often there are those who plan to enter not British, but European universities. Others see advantages in IB over A-level: a more interdisciplinary program or the ability to apply to several universities located in different countries at once.

Best schools in the UK by IB results

Foundation year program in the uk.

Foundation Year is designed for those who need to get additional language training and cover the academic gap before entering a British university. In most countries, such programs are offered by the universities themselves. In Britain, however, you can take them in schools, which will be a little cheaper.

As a rule, such programs have lower language requirements — approximately IELTS 4.5 versus 5.5 for A-level. Many schools also have partnership agreements with universities: students receive conditional admission during their studies, and in case of successful graduation, they immediately enter the corresponding university.

The curriculum includes one-year academic English courses for schoolchildren with a level of Intermediate or higher, a generalist preparatory section of subjects taught in English, and sometimes also specialized training for the specialty that student is planning admission for.

Unlike A-level or IB, the Foundation Year diploma is usually recognized only by UK universities.

Schools with the Foundation Year program in the UK

Oxbridge Preparation , as the name suggests, prepares students for admission to two of the oldest universities in the world — Oxford and Cambridge . It is difficult to get there even for native Englishmen — only 5-10% of applications are successful. Specialists from schools with an Oxbridge preparation program have extensive experience and know all the tricks of admission. Of course, no one can guarantee enrollment, but the chances are much higher when the applicant knows what to expect.

The contents and duration of the program vary from school to school.

Short-term programs usually involve visits to universities, talking to representatives of the admissions committee, and undergoing express preparation for an interview (3-5 weeks).
The long-term program is essentially a standard school year, during which, in parallel with the A-Levels, the student prepares for the Oxbridge entrance exams and studies the application process.

Some schools, such as Bellerbys College , offer Oxbridge Preparation free of charge to all their students.

If you still fail to enroll, the results of the program can become an additional plus when applying to other top universities.

BTEC ( Business and Technology Education Council ) — a special kind of school qualification in British schools. This is a specialized program with an emphasis on practice. This option is suitable for those children who learn best in practice and who would like to quickly apply their knowledge in professional activities. The BTEC diploma allows you to enter a job or internship right after school and gain professional experience along with theoretical knowledge — such a practice is especially useful in areas like business, engineering, education, art, tourism, and social work. Unlike the more conventional GCSE and A-Levels programs, BTEC does not imply a scientific or research career, although you can change the trajectory of education later if you wish. However, not all universities recognize BTEC on a par with A-Levels. You can enroll in BTEC at the end of 8 years of school studies (including at a foreign school), and you can study there up to the Master's degree level, combining study with work, which is especially convenient in England due to the developed part-time higher education system.

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University of Manchester

University of sheffield, university of leeds, aston university, university of bradford, university of salford.

As you know, it is especially difficult to enroll in programs in some fields of study: usually, this includes Medicine, Law, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences. That is why those who are aiming for top-ranking universities or simply do not want to fail the entrance competition very often go through preparatory programs in their specialty. English schools are well aware of the demand for such programs and offer some options within the framework of secondary education. Generally, the school offers training in the direction in which it already has a good reputation: schools with a mathematical focus prepare applicants for faculties of exact sciences, schools known for teaching Humanities organize summer schools in literature and philosophy, famous art schools offer preparation for the best creative academies. The duration of specialized programs is anywhere from an academic year to a couple of weeks. A schoolchild can either receive serious specialized training or simply spend time on vacation in search of future specialization.

A course in Academic English is included in almost any study option described above, but it can be taken separately. The program involves not just studying the language, but also mastering the specialty-specific vocabulary, academic writing, reading scientific texts, and training verbal skills — all this allows you to improve your English and acquire the skills necessary for studies. It is possible to take such courses in a language school, however, if the student plans to enter the A-Levels in the future, then studying at a secondary school will help to avoid further risks and unnecessary costs. The main difference from programs like Foundation is the lack of purely specialized classes at school and greater adaptability to students from different countries and with different levels of English.

Enrolling in a university after a secondary school in the UK

After graduating from high school in Britain, a student can enroll in any British university . Faculties often set specific requirements for A-Levels subjects. So, students choose a future specialization two years before graduation. It is worth checking the requirements in advance on the official websites of universities.

A-Levels and IB programs are also recognized by universities in the USA , Canada , Australia , Asia , and Europe . However, it is necessary to clarify whether there are additional conditions. For example, when entering American universities , you will still have to take the SAT exam (although due to the pandemic it became optional in most of them).

It is believed that when considering applications, British universities tend to look at the rating of the school that the applicant graduated from and that only graduates of elite independent schools with a high degree of selectivity can enter the top universities. However, this is a stereotype. For the admissions committee, it is only important that the applicant has good academic performance and what other achievements (scientific, social activities, projects, hobbies) they have.

More about state schools in the UK

Comprehensive schools are the most common type of secondary education institutions in England that have been actively developing over the past century. They are under state control and are intended for a wide array of children from 14 years old regardless of their previous performance, social status, or family affluence — there is no selection at the admission stage. Education in secondary schools is free and general, that is, without a specialization (in contrast to academies). This option is suitable for those parents who plan to move to England with their children.

Academies are currently the second most popular type of school. The first academies were created during the government of Tony Blair. Over the past 6 years, there has been a significant upsurge of this type of educational institution: if in 2011 there were only 629 academies in England, by 2017 their number exceeded 4000. Academies have great freedom in choosing students, teachers, curriculum, and sources of funding. Being officially state-owned, they have the right to receive funding from outside organizations, which often makes them dependent on commercial organizations — this aspect is especially criticized by supporters of the old system. Academies are often specialized: a particular focus is on specific subjects, for example, mathematics, a foreign language, business, art, engineering, etc. A special admission code applies to this type of school, according to which the academy has the right to arrange entrance exams if there are more applicants than seats at school. Formally, this means that there are no academies with mandatory entrance exams, but in reality — the better the academy and the more people want to study there, the more difficult it is to enter.

Free schools are a special type of government institution whose main difference is greater organizational freedom from the Department of Education while retaining significant state funding. Free schools, also sometimes called "new schools," are a special educational project launched in 2010. Within its framework, alternative and specialized programs for children from poor families are being developed. Free schools are created at the initiative of local authorities, parents, or charity organizations, and are often equipped for children with special needs. Education in them is completely free, access is universal, but they are available only to the residents and citizens of the UK. According to statistics from the Ministry of Education of England, free schools have become a very effective solution for affordable education, and their graduates perform better on exams than graduates of ordinary general schools.

University colleges are one of the subtypes of free schools. They are created on the basis of existing universities. Such colleges provide secondary and vocational education in one of the specialties, most often engineering, design, and programming. Under the financial and academic management of English universities, colleges adopt the experience of higher education, while following the national standards of secondary education. College graduates have a good chance of enrolling in partner universities, and graduates of vocational programs can find work immediately after graduation. Studying at university colleges is free and available without entrance exams, but only for citizens and residents of the UK.

Studio schools are another subtype of free schools. It is a rather novel project, which is why so far there are just over a dozen of them. The idea of studio schools was copied from the workshops of the 15-17 centuries, where the masters taught several students directly during work. The modern model of such schools implies intensive work in small groups on specific cases and projects under the guidance of experienced specialists. At the same time, the studios retain the status of schools thanks to an integrated system for studying basic compulsory subjects (English, Mathematics, and Sciences), which allows students to enter any university after school. Access to studio schools is completely free but available only to citizens and residents of England.

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Easter reading

This is a reading task on the theme of Easter in the UK. It helps students learn about how this time is celebrated in the UK and reflect on special occasions in their own culture.

Write the date of this year's Easter on the board and ask the learners if they know what special day it is. If not, tell them that it's Easter and ask them to brainstorm in groups what they know about Easter, either in the UK, in their own country (if applicable) or both. Then tell them that they are going to find out about Easter in the UK.

Give out the worksheet and ask the learners to quickly read the text and match the headings to the paragraphs.

A. Modern Easter in the UK B. What it means C. Chocolate eggs D. A matter of taste?

Next ask the learners to read in more detail and answer the questions below the text. As they finish, they can compare their answers with a neighbour before checking as a class.

a few months
They celebrate life and rebirth.
confectionery
because of European Union law

You could then ask the learners to compare the text with the brainstorm they produced, and say what new information they found out.

Finally, you could follow up with:

a group or class discussion, for example: Would you like to spend Easter in the UK? Why/why not? Are there any special times of year in your country when you eat special sweets or chocolate?
groups producing posters or illustrated mind maps showing what they now know about Easter in the UK or comparing it with Easter (or another celebration) in their country
learners researching some facts about Easter (or another celebration) in their country and writing a similar article.

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

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Blog The Education Hub

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/16/new-rshe-guidance-what-it-means-for-sex-education-lessons-in-schools/

New RSHE guidance: What it means for sex education lessons in schools

R elationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is a subject taught at both primary and secondary school.

In 2020, Relationships and Sex Education was made compulsory for all secondary school pupils in England and Health Education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools.

Last year, the Prime Minister and Education Secretary brought forward the first review of the curriculum following reports of pupils being taught inappropriate content in RSHE in some schools.

The review was informed by the advice of an independent panel of experts. The results of the review and updated guidance for consultation has now been published.

We are now asking for views from parents, schools and others before the guidance is finalised. You can find the consultation here .

What is new in the updated curriculum?

Following the panel’s advice, w e’re introducing age limits, to ensure children aren’t being taught about sensitive and complex subjects before they are ready to fully understand them. 

We are also making clear that the concept of gender identity – the sense a person may have of their own gender, whether male, female or a number of other categories – is highly contested and should not be taught. This is in line with the cautious approach taken in our gu idance on gender questioning children.

Along with other factors, teaching this theory in the classroom could prompt some children to start to question their gender when they may not have done so otherwise, and is a complex theory for children to understand.

The facts about biological sex and gender reassignment will still be taught.

The guidance for schools also contains a new section on transparency with parents, making it absolutely clear that parents have a legal right to know what their children are being taught in RSHE and can request to see teaching materials.

In addition, we’re seeking views on adding several new subjects to the curriculum, and more detail on others. These include:

Suicide prevention
Sexual harassment and sexual violence
L oneliness
The prevalence of 'deepfakes’
Healthy behaviours during pregnancy, as well as miscarriage
Illegal online behaviours including drug and knife supply
The dangers of vaping 
Menstrual and gynaecological health including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and heavy menstrual bleeding.

What are the age limits?

In primary school, we’ve set out that subjects such as the risks about online gaming, social media and scams should not be taught before year 3.

Puberty shouldn’t be taught before year 4, whilst sex education shouldn’t be taught before year 5, in line with what pupils learn about conception and birth as part of the national curriculum for science.

In secondary school, issues regarding sexual harassment shouldn’t be taught before year 7, direct references to suicide before year 8 and any explicit discussion of sexual activity before year 9.

Do schools have to follow the guidance?

Following the consultation, the guidance will be statutory, which means schools must follow it unless there are exceptional circumstances. 

There is some flexibility w ithin the age ratings, as schools will sometimes need to respond to questions from pupils about age-restricted content, if they come up earlier within their school community.

In these circumstances, schools are instructed to make sure that teaching is limited to the essential facts without going into unnecessary details, and parents should be informed.

When will schools start teaching this?

School s will be able to use the guidance as soon as we publish the final version later this year.

However, schools will need time to make changes to their curriculum, so we will allow an implementation period before the guidance comes into force.   

What can parents do with these resources once they have been shared?

This guidance has openness with parents at its heart. Parents are not able to veto curriculum content, but they should be able to see what their children are being taught, which gives them the opportunity to raise issues or concerns through the school’s own processes, if they want to.

Parents can also share copyrighted materials they have received from their school more widely under certain circumstances.

If they are not able to understand materials without assistance, parents can share the materials with translators to help them understand the content, on the basis that the material is not shared further.

Copyrighted material can also be shared under the law for so-called ‘fair dealing’ - for the purposes of quotation, criticism or review, which could include sharing for the purpose of making a complaint about the material.

This could consist of sharing with friends, families, faith leaders, lawyers, school organisations, governing bodies and trustees, local authorities, Ofsted and the media. In each case, the sharing of the material must be proportionate and accompanied by an acknowledgment of the author and its ownership.

Under the same principle, parents can also share relevant extracts of materials with the general public, but except in cases where the material is very small, it is unlikely that it would be lawful to share the entirety of the material.

These principles would apply to any material which is being made available for teaching in schools, even if that material was provided subject to confidentiality restrictions.

Do all children have to learn RSHE?

Parents still have the right to withdraw their child from sex education, but not from the essential content covered in relationships educatio n.

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IMAGES

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The UK Education System
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UK Education System in State and Public Schools
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VIDEO

Why are you providing students with 3 listens during the listening exam?
Listen, Learn and Repeat
Listen to English
February 11, 2024*
GCSE English Language 2.0 for Schools
The United Kingdom. Reading and listening (A2)

COMMENTS

UK educational system
The lesson plan, worksheet and reading texts can be downloaded in PDF format below. Downloads. Lesson plan 216.94 KB. Worksheet 181.1 KB. Reading texts 164.87 KB. Language Level. Intermediate: B1. Bookmark this. This lesson looks at various aspects of the UK educational system, the concept of a 'gap-year' and school reunions.
Education System in the UK
In this text you will find general information on the education system in the UK. As there are separate education systems in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the actual ages etc. might vary a little. ... At secondary school, classes also run Monday to Friday, but are usually from about 8.45 to 3.30. ...
PDF UK educational system
2. Let's compare. This task leads on from Task 1. Ask your learners questions to find out about the educational system in their country. If you are already familiar with it, ask them to first complete the second two columns in the table and then tell you what similarities and differences they can find. 3.
PDF Education System in the UK
Across the UK there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary, Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16. FE is not compulsory and covers non-advanced education which can be taken at further (including tertiary) education ...
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom invests 4.2% of its GDP into education (from primary to post-secondary non-tertiary), which is above the OECD average of 3.6%. Public investment into education as a share of GDP is 3.7%, above the OECD average of 3.3%. Similarly, private investment, at 0.5% of GDP, is above the OECD average of 0.3%.
The British Education System
The purpose of a secondary education can be to prepare for either higher education or vocational training . The exact boundary between primary and secondary education varies from country to country and even within them, but is generally around the seventh to the tenth year of education, with middle school covering any gaps. Secondary education ...
Understanding Education in the UK and the British School System
Types of School in the UK. Primary education is usually divided into Infant School for 5 and 6-year-olds, and Junior School for 7 to 11-year-olds. At age 11 pupils start Secondary school. There are two main types of Secondary School. Most students go to a Comprehensive School which caters for students of all abilities.
Listen for your word
Tell them they need to listen for their word and sit down when they hear it. Finally, read the text or play the tape if it's already recorded. As students listen, they gradually all sit down. The team whose students are all sitting first is the winner. With this activity, students concentrate, listen and have fun at the same time! Language Level.
The Education System in Britain
Education in the UK is compulsory from age 5 to age 18, and is largely provided through the state education system. However unlike in some other countries, the state school system in the UK is not unitary. Most schools are fully "public" in the sense that they are directly or indirectly financed by the state, through local education authorities ...
Education in the United Kingdom
Stages. In each country there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary, further education (FE) and higher education (HE). The law states that full-time education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16. In England, compulsory education or training was extended to 18 in 2015. Before they reach compulsory school age, children can ...
Why are English schools not using textbooks? By ...
In England 10% of 10-year olds are issued textbooks; in South Korea - 99%. In secondary science 8% of pupils in England are issued with textbooks compared to 88% in South Korea, 92% in Taiwan. Why are English schools not using textbooks? Cost is a factor, but as important is the growing use of copied worksheets and handouts.
(Mis)educating England: eurocentric narratives in secondary school
The shortcomings of the current English secondary school history curriculum have been widely discussed since its inception in 2013. Less widely explored, however, are the narratives underpinning a key classroom resource: textbooks. In this paper, I review nine history textbooks currently in use in schools across the country, drawing on post ...
The history of language learning and teaching in Britain
The state of research. Research on history of language teaching and learning begins with Foster Watson's work on the history of 'modern subjects' in the early twentieth century (Watson Citation 1909).Since then, relatively little historical research has been done by Britain's own foreign language pedagogy experts, who are relatively few in number, a consequence both of the relatively weak ...
All About British Schools deep liste…: English ESL video lessons
1. Let's do English ESL deep listening: focus on meaning. Video lesson on what the UK Education consists of. A series of True/False questions are asked.
Teenagers and UK culture
Encourage learners to listen without the transcript the first time, so that they really are practising listening, and then let them read and listen later. If students found the text quite challenging you could focus on new vocabulary by asking them to underline five new words in the text. Encourage them to identify the part of speech (verb ...
Secondary education in the UK
Secondary education in England is one of the main pillars of the British economy: a strong school system prepares millions of teenagers for university education every year. Residents of any country can send their child to an English school as early as the elementary school stage (from 4 years old). Foreigners can only study in private schools.
Education in the United Kingdom- Statistics & Facts
Government spending on secondary education in the UK 2009-2023 Public sector expenditure on secondary education in the United Kingdom from 2009/10 to 2022/23 (in billion GBP)
Education in the UK: a history
The education of the middle classes 1868 Taunton Report, The reform of endowments, 1895 Bryce Report. Scotland Elementary education, Secondary education, The education of girls. Science and technology 1875 Devonshire Report, 1882 Aberdare Report, 1882/4 Samuelson Reports, 1889-1892 Further Acts. The education of girls.
Schools in Britain
A1 Listening Test. Watch a video about schools in Britain. For questions 1 to 7, choose the correct answer. 1 Children arrive at school ... a. by car. b. by bus. c. by different means of transportation. Listening comprehension practice test for beginners and elementary students (CEFR A1 level). Schools and education.
schools in britain: English ESL worksheets pdf & doc
a text taken from a video about the british school sysytem (use this link http://www.youtu…
Text «Education in Britain» (about the British Educational System)
Education in Britain is compulsory from 5 till 16. The first stage is primary school (5-11). Children start primary school at 5 and continue until they are 11. In primary school pupils are taught the so-called three "R": reading, writing and arithmetic. The second stage is secondary school, which children start at 11.
Easter reading
Easter reading. This is a reading task on the theme of Easter in the UK. It helps students learn about how this time is celebrated in the UK and reflect on special occasions in their own culture. Write the date of this year's Easter on the board and ask the learners if they know what special day it is. If not, tell them that it's Easter and ask ...
New RSHE guidance: What it means for sex education lessons in schools
Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is a subject taught at both primary and secondary school. In 2020, Relationships and Sex Education was made compulsory for all secondary school pupils in England and Health Education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools. Last year, the Prime Minister and Education Secretary brought ...