The system of education in great britain

T
HE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN 
G
REAT 
B
RITAIN
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are being raised by the introduction of a national school curriculum consisting of 
English, mathematics, science, history, geography, technology, music, art, physical 
education and, for older pupils, a modern language. Religious education is available 
in all schools, although parents have the right to withdraw their children from such 
classes. 
At 7 and 11 years old (and at secondary school, at 14 and 16) teachers measure 
children’s progress in each subject against attainment targets. In English, for exam-
ple, there are five basic targets: speaking and listening; reading, writing; spelling; 
and handwriting. For each target there are ten levels of attainment. For example, in 
order to achieve attainment level 2 in writing, a child should amongst other things, 
be able to structure sequences of real and imagined events coherently in chronologi-
cal accounts – this could be in an account of a family occasion, or in practical 
mathematics task, or in adventure story. 
Most children of compulsory secondary school age (11 to 16) receive free edu-
cation from public funds. A small proportion attend private, or ‘independent’ 
schools, not financed by the state. The National Curriculum also applies at secondary 
level. Children built on the knowledge they have acquired at primary school – and 
they also start to learn a modern language. Their years at secondary school may lead 
to General Certificate of Secondary Education qualifications, awarded on a mix of 
examinations and assessed coursework, which pupils take at around 16 years old. 
The main school examination, the General Certificate of Secondary Education 
(GCSE) is taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at around the age of 16. A 
separate exam system exists in Scotland.
If pupils are successful, they can continue to more advanced education or train-
ing. Those who choose to stay on at school after GCSE usually study for two further 
years for A (Advanced) level exams in two or three subjects. After a further two 
years of study the General Certificate of Education Advanced level is taken at the 
age of 18 and can be combined with the Advanced Supplementary level exam to 
provide a wider range of subjects. These exams are the main standard for entry to 
university education and to many forms of professional training. There is also a Cer-
tificate of Pre-Vocational Education for those studying at school for a year after the 
age of 16; this provides a preparation for work or vocational courses. All GCSE and 
other qualifications offered to pupils in state schools in England and Wales must be 
approved by the Government. 
Breaking down the artificial barriers between education and business is an im-
portant Governmental aim. Pupils of all ages take part in workplace activities, in-
cluding work-based projects and work-shadowing – projects that teachers believe 
‘help them to develop personal as well as commercial skills’. 
The proportion of young people entering university and other advanced educa-
tion rose from 1 in 8 in 1980 to 1 in 5 by 1990 and is expected to reach 1 in 3 by the 
year 2000. The Government aims to have widened access to the point where one in 
three young people go into higher education. Around 1.5 million students in Britain 
are taking full-time post school education courses, including courses providing a 
combination of full-time study and supervised job experience. 

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