Тwelve million children visit about 40.000 schools in Britain. Education in Great Britain is compulsory. All British children must stady at school
between the ages of 5 and 16. Many of them stay longer and take school-leaving
exams when they are 18. But before that age of 5 many children can go to a
nursery school, also called play school. In Primary School and First School
children learn to read and write and the basis of arithmetic. In the higher classes
of Primary School (or in Middle School) children learn geography, history,
religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. Then children go to the
Secondary School. Compulsory secondary education begins when children are
11 or 12 and lasts for 5 years. Secondary school is traditionally divided into 5
forms: a form to each year. Children study English, Mathematics, Science,
History, Art, Geography, Music, a Foreign language and have lessons of
Physical training, Religious. At the age of 7,11 and 14 pupils take examinations
in the core subjects.
At the age of 16 pupils take General Certificate of Secondary Education
exams in several subjects. After that they can try to get a job, go to college of
further education, or stay at school for another 2—3 years. If they stay at school
after 16, or go to a college of further education, they take school-leaving A-level
exams at the age of 18. After that, they may choose to go to a university or a
college of higher education.
In England there are 47 universities, including the Open University which
teaches via TV and radio, about 400 colleges and institutes of higher education.
The oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. Generally,
universities award two kinds of degrees: the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s
degree. Students may receive grants and loans from their Local Educational
Authorities to help pay for books, accommodation, transport and food. However,
most students should pay these loans back after they get a job.
Most students in Great Britain live away from home, in flats or halls of
residence. To pay for education, many students have to work in the evening and
during their summer vacations. Some parents choose private schools for their
children. They are very expensive but considered to provide a better education
and good job opportunities.