英国教育制度 1

一、Introduction:1、The purpose of the British education systemThe purpose of the British education is not only to provide children with litera cy and the other basic skills they will need to become active members of soci ety but also to socialize children.2、The relationship between education and social classBritain is a society in which social class is still very important. Class inequality can be erased or continued according to educational policy. In Britain, the accent you speak with, the clothes you wear, and the schools you attend are all markers that identify your social class. The school tie is a clear marker of social class. Even on informal occasions you will sometimes see men wearing their school ties as belts to hold up their trousers-proudly displaying their attendance at a certain school. In Britain, where you are educated is still very important to your future. “The old boys network” refers to the elite groups of men who went to public schools like Eton and Winchester; and universities like Oxford and Cambridge. They dominate government, and are influential in banking, the media, the arts and education.二、History1、The influence of the church on schoolingHistorically, education was voluntary and many of the schools that existed were set up by churches. The influence of the church on schooling is still stro ng: religious education was the only subject which the state insisted all schools teach their pupils (other subjects were left up to schools to decide upon). Dai ly prayers and singing hymns is still a regular part of school life.2. Great changes in British educational system after the Industrial Revolution.(1) government involvement -in taking responsibilities for the education of chi ldren. In 1870, a law was passed to call for government–funded education. (2) By 1880, attendance at school for children between 5 and 10 was compuls ory. And by the end of the 1st world War the school leaving age was raised to 14to dissuade children from leaving school to support their families.(3) a new educational system emphasizing equality was constructed after the 2nd World war with the assistance of church and trade unions.(4) Education Act in 1944, made entry to secondary schools and universities meritocratic(选择具备才能和高智力的人not because of their social class or th eir parents’ possession, but for the abilities they display) to make sure more c hildren had access to a good education. All children were given the right to a free secondary education.(5) The less elitist school system（英才教育制度）failed because entrance to s chool was based upon exam performance. In the 1960s, comprehensive school s (general education providing subjects ranging from academic such as literatur e and science to more practical subjects like cooking and carpentry) were intro duced all over the country, which ended the division between grammar scho ols and vocational schools. Entrance exams were abolished and schools were no longer allowed to let children compete for places.(6) In 1976, the Labor Party started “the Great Education Debate” and was co ncerned about the inadequate skills of the labor force. In 1989, the Conservativ e Party led by Margaret Thatcher thought job training was important and intro duced a National Curriculum and unified subjects.Students have to pass nat ional tests and schools are marked according to the success of their pupils in r eaching national targets. The National Curriculum has reinforced competitions between schools. Good schools attract good pupils and therefore attract more funding; which means they can hire better teachers, buy more books and equip ment and produce more good students.3、Comprehensive schoolIn the 1960s, Comprehensive schools were introduced all over the country a nd are the most popular secondary schools in Britain today. Such schools admi t children without reference to their academic abilities and provide a general e ducation. Pupils can study everything from academic subjects like literature to more practical subjects like cooking.4、Grammar schoolIt is a type of secondary schools in Britain. Grammar schools select children at the age of 11, through an exam calle d “the 11-plus”. Those children with the highest marks go to grammar schools. These schools lay emphasis on advanced academic subjects rather than the more general curriculum of the compreh ensive schools and expect many of their pupils to go on to universities.5、The national CurriculumWith the victory of the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher, educ ation became a big political issues. While the new government thought that jo b training was very important, it felt schools were not paying enough attention in teaching pupils the traditional “three Re.” Therefore, in 1989 the governme nt introduced a National Curriculum. Now all children throughout the country must study the following subjects: English, mathematics, science, religious educ ation, history, geography, technology, music, art, physical education, and a mod ern foreign language. They must also pass national tests and schools are ranke d according to the success of their pupils in reaching national targets.6、 Public schoolIn the private sector there are independent schools which are common, but c onfusingly, called public schools. (They are called public schools because they were originally seen as “public” alternatives to having private tutors in aristocr atic households.) They receive their funding through the private sector and thro ugh tuition rates, with some government assistance. They are not part of the n ation education system, but the quality of instruction and standards are maintai ned through visits fr om Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools. Parents choose to pay fees in order to send their children have a better chance of getting into good universities and getting better jobs when they leave school.三、The present Education System1. The British education system is run by the state, which provides funding, o versees standard, and tried to make sure all British children receive a quality e ducation.2. Primary and secondary education in the UK is compulsory. Children betwee n 5 --16 years old are obliged to attend school.3. Children between 5 ---11 go to primary school (state schools; co-educational or mixed schools).4. Children between 11 ---19 go to secondary schools (90% of them are enroll ed tocomprehensive schools without reference to their academic abilities).Some children choose to attend grammar schools at the age of 11 through 1 1plusexamination.﹡Compare the secondary schoolsa. state schools ---- funded by local and central governments.b. private schools = independent schools = public schools( because they were originally seen as public alternative to having private tutors in aristocr atic households)---- funded by private sectors, through tuition rates and some government assistance. Independent schools are not part of the national educa tion system. The quality of instruction and standard are obtained through visits from Her Majesty’s Inspector o f Schools.c. grammar schools --- ( 11---) children have to take part in the 11+ ( 11 pl us)examination to be enrolled in a grammar school. Grammar schools are becomi ng rare in Great Britain except in Northern Ireland.d. comprehensive schools---- in the 1960s, comprehensive schools (general edu cation providing subjects ranging from academic such as literature and science to more practical subjects like cooking and carpentry) were introduced all over the country, which ended the division between grammar schools and vocati onal schools. Entrance exams were abolished and schools were no longer allo wed to let children compete for places.5. Examinations after the secondary educationa. GCSE Examinations (General Certificate of Secondary Education) ----after 5years of secondary education , English , Northern Irish and Welsh students sit the exams which is to assess their progress in their final 2 years of compulsor y education. Then, they will decide what avenue of education they would liketo follow based on the results of the examinations. They have a number of ch oices ----- quit school to find a job.◆prepare for university entrance examination 2 –year-further study after the GCSE ( in the 6 th form) then sit for the GCSE- Advanced) examination.b. GNVQ----( General National Vocational Qualifications ) To sit the GNV Q forvocational training or preparation for work.注：GCSE exams（General Certificate of Secondary Education）:中学毕业证。