British Schools and Ours. Fastback 122.

Overview & Synopsis

This document examines the organization and governance of British education and presents projected plans for education in the 1980s. The British schooling system comprises nursery, primary, middle, and secondary schools, and further postsecondary education, university education, and teacher education. Both private and public nursery schools enroll about 35% of British children between ages two and five. Compulsory schooling begins at the primary level and extends through the secondary school. Secondary schools enroll 83% of students from ages 11-18. Standardized examinations are usually administered at age 16. Depending upon examination scores, students either go to work, stay on in secondary schools to improve scores or to prepare for an advanced level examination, or enter further education (FE). FE consists of all postsecondary education except university: polytechnics, technical colleges, colleges of art, commerce, agriculture, and education. Great Britain has a dual school system consisting of voluntary schools managed by the Church of England or by the Roman Catholic Church, and state schools. British teachers enjoy more autonomy than those in the United States. The National Union of Teachers openly endorses and financially aids candidates favorable to their interests. Recommendations for educational planning focus on such areas as school curriculum, national assessment of standards, teacher education, and ways to link school with work. (KC)