University St.

Kliment Ohridski Bitola Faculty of pedagogy

SEMINAR PAPER Civilization: Education

in England

Mentor: Dr. Irina Petrovska

Made by: Miteva Maja 3828 Petrovic Tanja 3844

Bitola, 2009

Contents:

1. History of education in England 2. The English education system 3. Types of schools 4. The school life 5. Recent Developments in Education 6. Education beyond sixteen 7. Public exams

1. History of education in England

Ever since the existence of man the teaching and learning process has been an integral part of human experience. Education is an important part of British life. Education is the learning of knowledge, information and skills during the course of life. This seminar paper deals with the development of education in England from the earliest schools in the sixth century, through the establishment of the state education system in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, to current concerns about government policies. This paper covers the educational process in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It deals mainly with the education in schools, but it also gives some information about higher education. 1. 600-1800 - Beginnings The earliest known schools in England date from the late sixth century. Two types of school appears (often connected): the grammar school, to teach Latin, and the song school (which some cathedrals still have today), where shildren were educated and trained to sing in cathedral choirs. The following two centuries saw a significant expansion in educational provision. In the 12th century are opened more cathedral schools and by the beginning of the 13th universities were beginning to develop. Two universities were established: the University of Oxford, followed by the University of Cambridge. A reformed system of "free grammar schools" was established in the reign of Edward VI of England. There were changes in the school curriculum. This is period of diminishing the control of the church in education. Winchester and Eton are examples of these early independent schools. In the 17th and 18th centuries there were important developments in educational theory and the school curriculum began to take on a form we would recognise today. 2. 1800-1900 - Towards a state system of education New types of school began to be established: industrial schools, Sunday schools and ne kinds of day schools. The Church of England regarded education for all children as desirable. The institution of public examinations, in Cambridge from the 18th century and in Oxford from the early 19th, forced the two universities to improve the quality of their teaching and as a result, they began to recover their prestige. Other important thing is the establishment of the Elementary Education Act, infant schools and preparatory schools. 3. 1900-1944 The state system takes shape

This period deals with the Education Act (The Balfour Act) from 1902, Education Act (The Fisher Act) from 1918. On the other side this period gives a lot of new developments in primary and secondary education, the differentiation of the curriculum, psychological tests of educable capacity, the education of the adolescent, books in public elementary schools, the primary school, infant and nursery schools. 4. 1945-1978 Rise and fall of a public service This period deals with special educational needs and the view that the needs of handicapped children should be provided for in mainstream schools. In the higher education there are recommendations about technological education in colleges and universities and recommendations about more university places for science students. During the 1960s there is a change in the school systems from two-tier (primary and secondary) to three-tier (first or lower schools, middle schools, upper schools). 5. 1979-today Marketisation of education, selection, privatisation and faith There is a presentation of new schools - City Technology Colleges known as as a 'half-way house' between the state and independent sectors. This period also deals withe the most important Education Act since 1944, known as the Baker Act. In this period is established the General Teaching Council (GTC), abolished student maintenance grants and required students to contribute towards tuition fees. In 2002 the government published its strategy for the teaching of foreign languages.

2. The English education system

Education is an important part of British life. There are many schools, colleges and universities, including some of the most famous in the world. There are approximately 29,000 state schools in Britain, 2,000 schools for students with special needs and 2,400 independent schools. There are about 9.5 million students, and about 6-7 % are in independent schools. 71% of the students continue to study after school. Education in England is divided into primary, secondary, further and higher education.Compulsory education lasts for 11 years. Statutory school ages are between five and 16 years. Children are legally required to start attending school at the start of the term after their fifth birthday either on 31 August, 31 December or 31 March, however children often start earlier than this. Pupils are required to stay in school until the last Friday in June of the school year in which they reach 16 years of age. During this time children must receive full-time education that is suited to their age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs. If a child does not attend school, the local authority must be satisfied that other appropriate provision is available. Most pupils transfer from primary to secondary school at the age of 11. However, a system of middle schools also exists; here pupils are transferred from primary school at either age eight or nine years, then onto secondary education at age 12 or 13 years. Most secondary schools in England are comprehensive and do not operate a selective entrance system. However, in some parts of England, a grammar school system also operates and pupils are usually required to pass an entrance examination based on their ability. School organisation varies depending on a number of factors including age group and type of school. Individual schools have some flexibility in arranging the school day, including establishing routines, devising timetables and planning holidays. The school year runs from September to July and is 39 weeks long. The dates for school terms and holidays are decided by the local authority or the governing body of a school, or by the school itself for independent schools. The main school holidays are: - Christmas- 2 weeks - Spring - 2 weeks - Summer - 6 weeks There are also one week holidays: - end of October

mid February end of May

The school day usually starts between 08.30 and 9.00 and finishes between 15.00 and 15.30. The start and finish times of the school day and the length of the midday break are decided by the governing body of each school.

3. Types of schools
Children's education in England is normally divided into two separate stages. They begin with primary education at the age of five and this usually lasts until they are eleven. Then they move to secondary school, there they stay until they reach sixteen, seventeen or eighteen years of age. The main categories of school are: local authority maintained schools (State Free to all children between the ages of 5 - 16 independent schools (Private/Public Parents pay for their children's' education. Schools) Schools)

State Schools
In the UK 93% of the children in England and Wales go to "state schools". State schools are non fee-paying, funded from taxes and most are organised by Local Authorities (LA). Parents are expected to make sure that their child has a pen, pencil, ruler etc. but the cost of other more specialised equipment, books, examination fees are covered by the school. Parents are expected to pay for their child's school uniform and items of sports wear. Charges may also be made for music lessons and for board and lodgings on residential trips. Schools may ask for voluntary contributions for school time activities - but no pupil may be left out of an activity if their parents or guardian cannot or do not contribute. Primary schools (5 - 11 year olds) In the UK, the first level of education is known as primary education. These are almost always mixed sex, and usually located close to the child's home. Children tend to be with the same group throughout the day, and one teacher has responsibility for most of the work they do. Parents are strongly encouraged to help their children, particularly with reading and writing, and small amounts of homework are set to all children, even during the early years at school. Secondary schools (11 - 16 year olds) Most children transfer at the age of 11 - usually to their nearest secondary school, though the law allows parents in England and Wales to express preferences for other schools too. A place has to be offered at the parents' preferred school unless the school has more applicants than places; in that case it will admit the children who have the highest priority under its published admission arrangements which can vary a little in different places. Most secondary schools cater for both sexes. They tend to be much larger than primary schools. Nearly 88 per cent of secondary school pupils in England go
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to comprehensive schools, as do all pupils in Wales. These take children of all abilities and provide a wide range of secondary education for all or most of the children in a district from 11 to 16 or 18. All children in Scotland go to nonselective schools. Grammar Schools are selective, they offer academically oriented general education. Entrance is based on a test of ability, usually at 11. Grammar schools are single sexed schools i.e. Children either go to a boys Grammar School or a Girls Grammar School. There are grammar schools in Northern Ireland and some parts of England.

Fee Paying Schools

Independent Schools 7% of the children in England go to independent schools. Independent schools are known as private schools and public schools . Parents pay for their children to attend these schools. 1. Nursery/Kindergarten 2 to 4 years 2. Pre-preparatory 3 or 4 to 7 years 3. Preparatory 7 to 11 or 13 years 4. Public 11 or 13 to 18 years Prep Schools A preparatory school is a school to prepare pupils to go to a public school. Public Schools A public school is an independent secondary school. Public schools in England are not run by the government. The entrance exams used by most public schools are known as Common Entrance exams and are taken at the age of 11 (girls) or 13 (boys). The most famous public schools are Eton, Harrow and Winchester. Higher Education Around 30% of the 18 to 19 year olds enter full-time higher education. The formal entry requirements to most degree courses are two A-levels at grade E or above. In practice, most offers of places require qualifications in excess of this.

4. The school life

School usually starts at nine o'clock in the morning and finishes at about three o'clock in the afternoon. Most schools in Britain require their students to wear a school uniform. The School starts at 8:55 with registration (The attendance of every child attending school each morning and afternoon is recorded in a special book). The amount of time devoted to break times differs from school to school. 1. 4 - 7 year olds - Two 20 minute breaks ( one in the morning and one in the afternoon) 2. 7 - 16 year olds - One 20 minute break. The children also have an hour long lunch break. In British schools, children can usually choose between a hot or cold dinner provided by the school or a packed lunch taken from home. Some children are entitled to a free school dinner, but most children pay for theirs. The lunch break is from 12.15 noon to 1.15 p.m. and children may have a school meal or bring a packed lunch. During break times and lunch times the children go out and play in the playground. What is taught in state schools is set by government guidelines. The main aim of the National Curriculum is to raise standards, making sure all children have a broad and balanced education up to the age of 16 and to ensure that schools in all parts of the country are following the same courses. The National Curriculum specifies what children must study and what they are expected to know at different ages. The National Curriculum comprises of the four core subjects, Mathematics, English, Science and Information CommunicationTechnology, together with the foundation subjects of Information Technology, Design Technology, Geography, History, Art, Music and Physical Education. Religious Education is also provided for all children. Most school in England require children to wear a school uniform. There is a few reasons about this: Stops kids worrying about what to wear each day. Everyone is equal. Parents don't have to shop for expensive and varied wardrobes for their children to keep up with or show-off to other children Wearing a uniform instills a sense of pride and discipline in students

Higher education

Students normally enter University from 18 onwards and study for an Academic Degree. Apart from a single private university, all undergraduate education is largely state financed, and UK students are generally entitled to student loans for maintenance. The state does not control syllabuses, but it does influence admission procedures. Unlike most degrees, the state still has control over teacher training courses, and uses Ofsted inspectors to maintain standards. The typical first degree offered at British universities is the Bachelor's degree (typically three years). Many institutions now offer an undergraduate Master's degree as a first degree, typically lasting four years. During a first degree students are known as undergraduates. The difference in fees between undergraduate and traditional postgraduate Master's degrees (and the possibility of securing LEA funding for the former) makes taking an undergraduate Master's degree as a first degree a more attractive option, although the novelty of undergraduate Master's degrees means that the relative educational merit of the two is currently unclear.Some universities offer a vocationally-based Foundation degree, typically two years in length for those students who hope to continue to take a first degree but wish to remain in employment.

Postgraduate education
Students who have completed a first degree are eligible to undertake a postgraduate degree, which includes:

Master's degree (typically taken in one year) Doctorate degree (typically taken in three years)

Postgraduate education is not automatically financed by the State, and so admission is in practice highly competitive.

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5. Recent Developments in Education

The major changes in education in Britain involve: a) introduction of local management of schools by school governing bodies b) introduction of both a national curriculum and a national scheme for assessment of pupils c) reduction of the operational role of local education authorities, which will become more involved in planning, policy, making and monitoring d) more parental choice of schools that their children attend e) the possibility that individual schools can apply directly for national funding f) establishment of city technology colleges For learners and society to thrive in a world which faces issues such as global poverty, climate change and racial and religious tensions, education should put learning in a global context. This Include: - critical and creative thinking - self-awareness and open-mindness towards difference - understanding of global issues and power relationships - optimism and action for a better world The trend toward the development of schools include developing psychological traits ( self-esteem ), social responsibility, moral responsibility, interpersonal skills, lifelong (positive) health behaviour, employment key skills ( teamwork) and combating adolescent depression. Recent educational changes in England are connected with special needs in physical education and with the growing number of immigrant students. For this reason school programs include levels of language, and school resources and flexibility. Education is moving into the digital age and pedagogies have changed to engage the latest digital technologies. Gifted students can access Internet and extensive resources in their classroom or school library. Schools provide a curriculum that develops curiosity, creativity and personal interests in young children.

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6. Education beyond sixteen

Education beyond 16 is important because young adults will only be able to realize their full potential as active and effective members of society at large and of all kinds of public and voluntary bodies, if those responsible for their education, training, employment and other forms of development provide the necessary models and learning environments for active and participative citizenship. In education beyond sixteen should be present the following three principles: 1. social and moral responsibility learning from an early age to behave with self-confidence and in a socially and morally responsible way within and beyond the classroom both to those in authority and towards each other. 2. community involvement learning about becoming involved in the life and concerns of communities, including learning through community involvement and service to the community 3. political literacy learning about and how to take part in and influence public life through knowledge, skills and values. This kind of education brings some benefits: prepares young people for the challenges and opportunities of adult working life; teaches about rights and and responsibilities; helps them to understand how society works; increases their motivation for learning and develops their confidence and self-esteem. Young people beyond 16 who want to carry on in their education can consider some of these options: - continuing their general education - taking a general vocational course. These courses are linked to a broad area of wok, such as art and design or travel and tourism. - taking a vocational course directly related to a job that they want to do - combining courses - styding theory of knowledge, creativity, action and service extended essay, their own language, science, maths or arts. Further education is the provision of education outside school for people over the age of 16 and is funded by central government by the Further Education Funding Council. Much of the education provided is vocational and is closely
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linked with business and commerce in the area. Many of the students study on part-time courses or day-release or block release. Day-release means that they are freed from their jobs for part of a day or sometimes several days a week to study - so they study and work at the same time. There are about 480 further education institutions in England and Wales with 743,00 full-time and sandwich-course students and about 850,00 part-time day students on further education courses.

7. Public exams
Public exams are written in June of each year in some courses. Exams are sent to the Department of Education and marked by an independent marking board made up of teachers. The final mark in each of these courses is 50 per cent school mark, and 50 per cent exam marks. If a student is not satisfied with the mark they have received in any public exam course, they may request a re-read. The higher of the two marks will be used to determine the final mark. Students who are not currently attending high school (private candidates) must register with the Department of Education in order to write public exams. The Private Candidate Registration form can be found below. Students who have had their June exams deferred or who simply wish to improve their marks can write supplementary exams in early August. The department does not offer any preparatory help for students writing these exams. However, some schools offer summer school which may include public exams courses. Again, students can request a re-read of the supplementary exam, and the highest of all marks is the one used.

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Bibliography:
1. http://www.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/education.html 2. http://www.eng.umu.se/education/ 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England

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