EDUCATION

All children are entitled to free education at state schools and school attendance is compulsory (parents have been sent to jail for not ensuring that their children go). Not attending school (other than for illness or authorised holidays) is called truancy.
The Government – through the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) sets policy and standards for education but locally schools are administered by local education authorities (LEAs).

A small percentage of the population opts to pay for education in the private sector, which can be either a school for day pupils or a boarding school (which incidentally are called public schools – very confusing!) A very small minority educate children at home, but this is strictly monitored.

Children begin their education at three years old – when they start nursery (part-time). They join full-time education at four or five (depending on which month they’re born in), attending a primary school. They have year numbers 1, 2, 3 etc all through their school life. In some areas, primary education is split between infant and junior schools.
At the age of 11 (Year 7) they move on to secondary school. In most areas of the country this will be a comprehensive school (which takes children of all abilities), though there are a few selective grammar schools still in existence in the state sector. There is currently a big political debate about the existence of grammar schools. There are many selective schools in the private sector.

Pupils follow the National Curriculum and are tested on SATs (Standard Assessment Tasks) at ages seven, 11 and 14. There has recently been a move to reduce the amount of testing – as some feel it is harmful to children.

At 16, they sit their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations.

The minimum school leaving age is 16 but many pupils stay on in school or college to sit A-level (Advanced Level) examinations at the age of 18. A minority opt to take a GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification) instead but these are still fairly new and subject to scepticism in some quarters.

Results of examinations and SAT tests for individual schools are published – so parents, and prospective parents, can compare how schools are performing. These performance tables are often referred to as school league tables. They often generate stories, as some believe they are unfair and can put too much pressure on schools and pupils.

Almost half of school-leavers go on to higher education (university). To gain a place they need to score the required marks in their A-levels or GNVQs.

Students have to pay tuition fees of about £1,500 a year, plus accommodation costs and don’t get financial help from the Government, as their parents did. Instead they are allowed a student loan at minimal interest rate, which they have to pay back in monthly instalments when they leave university and start working. Many students start their working lives with debts of around £12,000 – which again is the source of much debate and news stories.