School Education in Britain

Education in Great Britain

The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated. It is compulsory from the age of five to sixteen. Children under 5 years old receive pre-school education. They go to a nursery school or a kindergarten.

All children receive their primary education between the ages of 5 and 11. Most primary schools are state and free. At about 11 children begin their education at a comprehensive school, or a grammar school. The comprehensive system is non-selective. It means that all children go from one school to another without taking any exams.

Those who take the examination, go to grammar schools, where they receive more academic education. Some children go to independent schools run by private organizations, for which their parents have to pay fees. Some pupils especially those who want to apply to university, stay at school for the sixth form or go to a sixth-form college.

About 10 per cent of children attend private schools: preparatory or prep, and public schools. Many prep and most public schools are boarding schools. These are schools where students live as well as study. It is very expensive for parents to send their children there.

Most primary and secondary schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, community service and trips to places of interest.

Schools in Britain have three terms a year. Each term has got a short break in the middle. Besides, children have longer Christmas and Easter holidays.

Answer the questions 

1. When do the British children start going to school?

Education in Great Britain

The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated. It is compulsory from the age of five to sixteen. Children under 5 years old receive pre-school education. They go to a nursery school or a kindergarten.

All children receive their primary education between the ages of 5 and 11. Most primary schools are state and free. At about 11 children begin their education at a comprehensive school, or a grammar school. The comprehensive system is non-selective. It means that all children go from one school to another without taking any exams.

Those who take the examination, go to grammar schools, where they receive more academic education. Some children go to independent schools run by private organizations, for which their parents have to pay fees. Some pupils especially those who want to apply to university, stay at school for the sixth form or go to a sixth-form college.

About 10 per cent of children attend private schools: preparatory or prep, and public schools. Many prep and most public schools are boarding schools. These are schools where students live as well as study. It is very expensive for parents to send their children there.

Most primary and secondary schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, community service and trips to places of interest.

Answer the questions

2.  What kind of education do the children under 5 years old receive?

Education in Great Britain

The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated. It is compulsory from the age of five to sixteen. Children under 5 years old receive pre-school education. They go to a nursery school or a kindergarten.

All children receive their primary education between the ages of 5 and 11. Most primary schools are state and free. At about 11 children begin their education at a comprehensive school, or a grammar school. The comprehensive system is non-selective. It means that all children go from one school to another without taking any exams.

Those who take the examination, go to grammar schools, where they receive more academic education. Some children go to independent schools run by private organizations, for which their parents have to pay fees. Some pupils especially those who want to apply to university, stay at school for the sixth form or go to a sixth-form college.

About 10 per cent of children attend private schools: preparatory or prep, and public schools. Many prep and most public schools are boarding schools. These are schools where students live as well as study. It is very expensive for parents to send their children there.

Most primary and secondary schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, community service and trips to places of interest.

Аnswer the questions

3. How long do children stay in a primary school?

Education in Great Britain

The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated. It is compulsory from the age of five to sixteen. Children under 5 years old receive pre-school education. They go to a nursery school or a kindergarten.

All children receive their primary education between the ages of 5 and 11. Most primary schools are state and free. At about 11 children begin their education at a comprehensive school, or a grammar school. The comprehensive system is non-selective. It means that all children go from one school to another without taking any exams.

Those who take the examination, go to grammar schools, where they receive more academic education. Some children go to independent schools run by private organizations, for which their parents have to pay fees. Some pupils especially those who want to apply to university, stay at school for the sixth form or go to a sixth-form college.

About 10 per cent of children attend private schools: preparatory or prep, and public schools. Many prep and most public schools are boarding schools. These are schools where students live as well as study. It is very expensive for parents to send their children there.

Most primary and secondary schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, community service and trips to places of interest.

Аnswer the questions

4. Where do they continue their education after that?

Education in Great Britain

The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated. It is compulsory from the age of five to sixteen. Children under 5 years old receive pre-school education. They go to a nursery school or a kindergarten.

All children receive their primary education between the ages of 5 and 11. Most primary schools are state and free. At about 11 children begin their education at a comprehensive school, or a grammar school. The comprehensive system is non-selective. It means that all children go from one school to another without taking any exams.

Those who take the examination, go to grammar schools, where they receive more academic education. Some children go to independent schools run by private organizations, for which their parents have to pay fees. Some pupils especially those who want to apply to university, stay at school for the sixth form or go to a sixth-form college.

About 10 per cent of children attend private schools: preparatory or prep, and public schools. Many prep and most public schools are boarding schools. These are schools where students live as well as study. It is very expensive for parents to send their children there.

Most primary and secondary schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, community service and trips to places of interest.

Аnswer the questions

5. What kind of schools are boarding schools?

Education in Great Britain

The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated. It is compulsory from the age of five to sixteen. Children under 5 years old receive pre-school education. They go to a nursery school or a kindergarten.

All children receive their primary education between the ages of 5 and 11. Most primary schools are state and free. At about 11 children begin their education at a comprehensive school, or a grammar school. The comprehensive system is non-selective. It means that all children go from one school to another without taking any exams.

Those who take the examination, go to grammar schools, where they receive more academic education. Some children go to independent schools run by private organizations, for which their parents have to pay fees. Some pupils especially those who want to apply to university, stay at school for the sixth form or go to a sixth-form college.

About 10 per cent of children attend private schools: preparatory or prep, and public schools. Many prep and most public schools are boarding schools. These are schools where students live as well as study. It is very expensive for parents to send their children there.

Most primary and secondary schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, community service and trips to places of interest.

Аnswer the questions

6.What do the children do in the sixth form?