It is not only British people who can receive secondary education in the UK. In this country, education starts at the age of four or five and young foreigners can attend school at this age (provided one of the parents takes the child to the UK). This gives you an insight into school subjects and allows you to start preparing for further education in advance. Secondary education in England is an important contribution to a successful future for your child.
Structure of the English education system
In England, education is compulsory for all children. It is made up of several levels. In public schools, these are the key stages that build on the common curriculum. Before starting school, children can attend the Early Years Foundation - a preparatory stage. Primary education lasts six years. Schoolchildren study about ten subjects, with foreign languages added from the third grade onward. At the end of each school year there is a compulsory examination in the main subjects. In secondary school, the number of school subjects increases. During this period of study, vocational guidance begins. At the end of high school, students take GCSE exams, after which they are awarded the Certificate of Secondary Education. The UK curriculum does not include an additional stage of study in secondary school. This stage is designed to prepare students for university. Education takes place according to one of the following programs.
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A-level is the classic British curriculum
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International Baccalaureate
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American Diploma
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BTEC
Pre-university course. At the end of the course - mandatory exams, the results of which are taken into account when entering university.
The private school curriculum may not coincide with the national program: it usually includes additional subjects designed to foster students' personal development and form their practical skills. The level of study is usually similar, but may have different designations. Interestingly, in private schools in the UK, each level has strict age requirements for students.
Characteristics of secondary and vocational education in the UK
Foreign students are not accepted in British public schools. Citizens of other countries can only study in private institutions, live on their territory or with a guardian. If the child is under 12 years old, he can live in the UK with one of the parents during his studies - for this purpose, the adult needs to apply for an accompanying visa. In schools that offer full board, students aged 7-8 live without their parents.
You can start studying in the UK at elementary school, but in most cases students go straight to secondary school. Interestingly, age is not the only factor in enrolling a child in a particular class. The main criterion is the student's level of knowledge.
Types of secondary schools
English schools are divided by type of ownership - they are public and private. State applies only to British and residents of the country. Foreigners are admitted to private educational institutions, and these schools usually have special adaptation programs.
Among educational institutions, the division is based on specialization, type of funding and other criteria.
Private schools can change the curriculum, modernize and supplement it. They are controlled by special organizations that monitor the quality of the programs. Another characteristic of private schools is the focus on the applied nature of education. In such educational institutions, there is usually a more practical or creative curriculum that focuses on the psychological comfort of the students.
Private Schools
These are non-public educational institutions that receive funding from private sources. Many of them have elite status and set rigorous requirements for prospective students. Schooling is expensive, but the high cost is offset by the prestige, intellectual excellence, personal growth and independence of each student.
Private schools in the UK are classified according to the following criteria.
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Student gender: independent or mixed education institutions.
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Age of students - primary, middle, high school: typically, educational institutions include at least two levels.
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Accommodation - children do not live in day schools and they go home in the evenings; boarding schools provide on-campus accommodation for students and children go home only during holidays; in schools with partial boarding, children live during weekdays and spend weekends at home.
Advantages of secondary and vocational education in London
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The education of schoolchildren in England is adequate/very popular. This is due to the advantages of English schools.
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Most private schools offer full board. Students live on the territory of the school where they have safe and comfortable living conditions. Boarding school education fosters independence, organization and responsibility.
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English schools emphasize classical education while introducing innovation into the educational process. This approach ensures the all-round development of the child's personality and makes him erudite and versatile.
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Another advantage of the English school is the strict discipline. The student's day is organized according to a schedule that must be strictly adhered to. This ensures that time is used wisely and teaches time management.
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Many foreigners study in private English schools, so they do not discriminate against representatives of other nationalities and nationalities.
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Education in British schools provides good academic preparation that helps further entry into university. Secondary education institutions in this country can have a high international rating.
If you choose to educate your child in the UK, the cost may seem too high. However, many schools have additional discounts. For example, tuition fees for a second child can be reduced. Talented students can also receive scholarships or bursaries. To do this, it is necessary to show yourself and succeed in the field of studies, sports, drama and music. As a general rule, applicants for scholarships or bursaries must pass a creative test or pass an additional examination.
How to apply to schools in London
The process of getting into the school begins with the mandatory writing of the entrance exam.
Usually, the school entrance exams are held in October-November. Around December, schools prepare to announce the results and offer places to successful candidates who have passed the exam. Some schools conduct a second round of exams, which is held in early March. At this stage, schools will be able to accept a much smaller number of students due to the limited number of places remaining. It is therefore advisable to apply at least one year before the planned start of the school year and to have time to pass the first stage of the entrance exams.
The process of applying to a London school
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Register with the school and pay the registration fee (ranging from £100 to £300).
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Provide the school with current school grades, letters of recommendation, diplomas and other documents that demonstrate sporting, creative and other achievements.
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taking an entrance exam (some schools require you to write the exam specifically from them, some allow you to write the exam under the school's exam conditions under the supervision of a teacher or in a British Council office)
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Pass an interview with a member of the school's admissions committee (in person or via Skype).
Tuition fees at London schools
Studying at a school in London is not cheap. On average, a year of study can cost between £20,000 and £40,000, with some additional fees to be provided. The undoubted benefit of studying at a school in London is that the fees cover almost everything, including tuition, sports, school activities, meals and accommodation.