Secondary education in England
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Direct contact with educational institutions
Direct contact with educational institutions
Secondary education in the UK
Boarding schools in England have an excellent reputation for their high standards of teaching and learning, and almost all students go on to prestigious universities after graduation.
Secondary education in the UK is compulsory from the age of five to 18. Before that, parents can send their children to early childhood education or home-based institutions.
Once students enter the education system, parents discover the different types of schools (private or state-funded, religious or not, international, more or less strict, for special needs, etc.).
In fact, schools in England are of two types: they are either state schools or private schools. Overseas students can come to private schools on their own without their parents and live on the school premises. At state schools, overseas students can only study if their parents are legal residents of the UK. Schools in England have an excellent reputation for their high standards of teaching and learning, and almost all students go on to prestigious universities after graduation.
In the UK, all independent schools are considered private schools, and the terms are often used interchangeably. However, technically all independent schools are controlled by a board of governors or trustees, whereas other private schools may be run by their owner without any governing body. At these schools, pupils are not required to follow the national curriculum. They tend to have better facilities, better exam results, a wider range of extra-curricular activities and even a higher standard of teachers.
Secondary education in the UK consists of five main stages:
Key Stage 1 - for pupils aged 5 to 7. Key Stage
2 - for pupils aged 8 to 11.
Key Stage 3 - for pupils aged 11 to 14.
Key Stage 4 - for pupils aged 14 to 16.
Key Stage 5 - for pupils aged 16 to 18.
Secondary education in England begins at the age of five. In primary schools in the UK, children focus on the core subjects of maths, science and literacy. They must also study history, geography, technology, art and music and may take part in physical education and religious education.
Secondary education in England (including what they call grammar school in the UK, sixth form and 'college') lasts from five to 18 years. Students aged 12 to 16 attend grammar school. This stage of compulsory education is called 'lower secondary education' or GCSE. At the end of GCSE, students may choose to go into work or vocational training. Or they may go on to college or the Sixth Form (A-level), where 16- to 18-year-olds prepare for university.
At the age of 16, all students take a series of exams called the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), usually in 6-8 subjects, which must include English and mathematics. After completing their education, students move on to the A-Level programme (2 years), which is for students aged 16-18 (sometimes 19). It is the results of the A-Level exams that allow entry into British universities.
Once secondary education in England is completed, students are ready to continue their studies at higher education institutions. For those who wish to follow this path, the UK offers some of the best universities in the world.
Secondary education in England uses an alphabetical grading system to assess students’ achievement (i.e. A to U), similar to that used in the US. In this context, A means excellent/outstanding; B is above average; C is average; D and E are below average; and F and anything below are considered a failure.
Secondary education in the UK is compulsory from the age of five to 18. Before that, parents can send their children to early childhood education or home-based institutions.
Once students enter the education system, parents discover the different types of schools (private or state-funded, religious or not, international, more or less strict, for special needs, etc.).
In fact, schools in England are of two types: they are either state schools or private schools. Overseas students can come to private schools on their own without their parents and live on the school premises. At state schools, overseas students can only study if their parents are legal residents of the UK. Schools in England have an excellent reputation for their high standards of teaching and learning, and almost all students go on to prestigious universities after graduation.
In the UK, all independent schools are considered private schools, and the terms are often used interchangeably. However, technically all independent schools are controlled by a board of governors or trustees, whereas other private schools may be run by their owner without any governing body. At these schools, pupils are not required to follow the national curriculum. They tend to have better facilities, better exam results, a wider range of extra-curricular activities and even a higher standard of teachers.
Secondary education in the UK consists of five main stages:
Key Stage 1 - for pupils aged 5 to 7. Key Stage
2 - for pupils aged 8 to 11.
Key Stage 3 - for pupils aged 11 to 14.
Key Stage 4 - for pupils aged 14 to 16.
Key Stage 5 - for pupils aged 16 to 18.
Secondary education in England begins at the age of five. In primary schools in the UK, children focus on the core subjects of maths, science and literacy. They must also study history, geography, technology, art and music and may take part in physical education and religious education.
Secondary education in England (including what they call grammar school in the UK, sixth form and 'college') lasts from five to 18 years. Students aged 12 to 16 attend grammar school. This stage of compulsory education is called 'lower secondary education' or GCSE. At the end of GCSE, students may choose to go into work or vocational training. Or they may go on to college or the Sixth Form (A-level), where 16- to 18-year-olds prepare for university.
At the age of 16, all students take a series of exams called the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), usually in 6-8 subjects, which must include English and mathematics. After completing their education, students move on to the A-Level programme (2 years), which is for students aged 16-18 (sometimes 19). It is the results of the A-Level exams that allow entry into British universities.
Once secondary education in England is completed, students are ready to continue their studies at higher education institutions. For those who wish to follow this path, the UK offers some of the best universities in the world.
Secondary education in England uses an alphabetical grading system to assess students’ achievement (i.e. A to U), similar to that used in the US. In this context, A means excellent/outstanding; B is above average; C is average; D and E are below average; and F and anything below are considered a failure.
How is secondary education organised in the UK?
The local authority, the school governing body or the school itself (in the case of independent private schools) decide on the specific start dates and school holidays. In the UK, schools must teach at least 380 lessons (190 days) during the academic year. School hours are determined by each school individually, but on average they are around 5-6 hours a day. Typically lessons start around 8:00 to 9:00 and finish around 15:00 to 16:00, but each school has different timetables. The academic year usually runs from 1 September to 31 July - 39 weeks.
Lessons can be 35, 40, 45, 55 or 60 minutes long! In each subject, a student will attend lessons for around 5 hours a week, plus at least 6 hours of individual study. Students also attend general education or philosophy or other similar subjects. Time is also devoted to physical education or sport, whether or not they are accepted as subjects of study.
Lessons can be 35, 40, 45, 55 or 60 minutes long! In each subject, a student will attend lessons for around 5 hours a week, plus at least 6 hours of individual study. Students also attend general education or philosophy or other similar subjects. Time is also devoted to physical education or sport, whether or not they are accepted as subjects of study.
Main exams: GCSE
After four years at secondary school, children are formally assessed by their teachers. Students must choose subjects for national GCSE examinations. GCSEs are compulsory examinations at the end of Year 11.
Students must usually take English, maths and science, and choose subjects from the arts, humanities, modern languages, technology and vocational studies.
Students must usually take English, maths and science, and choose subjects from the arts, humanities, modern languages, technology and vocational studies.
A-level exams
Most UK students usually go on to A-levels. These exams are the main entry requirement for undergraduate study at UK universities. Students prepare for these during Years 12 and 13, the upper secondary level of school. These two years of study are conventionally called the 'Sixth Form'.
At this level, in Year 1, most students study four subjects of their choice. In Year 2, they are left with three subjects. However, some students may choose four or five subjects if they want an extra workload or are applying to top UK universities.
At this level, in Year 1, most students study four subjects of their choice. In Year 2, they are left with three subjects. However, some students may choose four or five subjects if they want an extra workload or are applying to top UK universities.
International Baccalaureate
The IB is an A-Level equivalent that can be entered after completing GCSE. Some schools in England offer the International Baccalaureate, which is recognised by universities around the world and is a challenging curriculum. The IB requires students to take courses in six subjects, three at standard level and three at higher level. Students are also required to take a course in the theory of knowledge, write a research paper and do volunteer work.
What activities are held outside of class?
Alongside sport, schools offer a wide range of 'extra-curricular activities'; that is, activities that can offer students a wide range of intellectual, cultural and relaxing experiences. These include music and drama clubs, scientific and literary societies, with opportunities for outdoor learning and other leisure activities. Visits to theatres and concerts, art galleries and museums, religious centres or historical sites, and scientific companies are all part of the life that secondary education in the UK represents.
Tuition fees in schools in England
The average cost of attending a private boarding school in the UK is around £25,000-£40,000 per year, including accommodation and food. Schools may offer scholarships to help talented students, but often no more than half the cost.
Secondary schools in the UK
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Vladimir Rudeshko
Representative of UK educational institutions.
I am a certified and authorized specialist in working with educational institutions in the UK. I work directly with educational institutions and have the most up-to-date information on study programs and admission requirements. Extensive experience working with both students and educational institutions allows me to effectively help you choose the right place to go, starting from school and then to college or university.
I work openly and try to give as much information as possible so that you make the right decision in entering the UK, I am constantly in touch, although I am in a different time zone from my students. For you, the best schools in Britain and A-level and Foundation programs, as well as help in entering universities directly or for the International Year.
I do not promise you that you will study for free or you will have a scholarship - covering all tuition and accommodation, this is not my business, but I will help you choose the best option for your budget.
I work openly and try to give as much information as possible so that you make the right decision in entering the UK, I am constantly in touch, although I am in a different time zone from my students. For you, the best schools in Britain and A-level and Foundation programs, as well as help in entering universities directly or for the International Year.
I do not promise you that you will study for free or you will have a scholarship - covering all tuition and accommodation, this is not my business, but I will help you choose the best option for your budget.
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