compulsory education for all children between 5 and 16(17 from 2013)
comprehensive schools
introduced in the 1960s
The purpose of the comprehensive school is to democratize education and provide equal opportunity for all children.
grammar schools
offers an academic course in preparation for university entrance and for the professions
vocational schools
It may be obtained either formally in trade schools, technical secondary schools, or in on-the-job training programs or, more informally, by picking up the necessary skills on the job.
National Curriculum was introduced in 1988
Subjects
Maths, English, Science, Geography, History, Music, Arts
technology
physical education and a foreign language
Education in Britain is divided into four stages
Primary education(age 5~11)
Secondary edcation(11~16)
Further edcation(optional 2 more years, 16~18)
higher edcation(18~)
Educational System
Primary and Secondary Education
two parallel school systems
state system(free 5~16)
11-year compulsory education
5~11
primary school(co-educational/mixed schools)
11~16
secondary school(GCSE)
GCSE——The General Certificate of Secondary Education
An academic qualification generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14-16 i secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Certifying that the students have achieved the standard expected after 11 years of compulsory education
"sixth form"(2 years)
the final two years of secondary schooling during which students are about sixteen to eighteen years of age(English education system)
A-levels
General Certificate of Education——Advanced
for universities admittances
The A-level, or "Advanced Level" is a grade of education that is offered by educational institutions such as schools and colleges and is an accepted form of qualification.
A-levels are generally a two-year course, with AS levels being obtained within the first year.
A-levels are usually taken after successful completion of a previous level of course, such as GCSEs.
GNVQS
General National Vocational Qualifications
for vocational training
independent system(pay)
the most famous-Eton; Harrow and Winchester
over 2500 independent schools across Britain
over 7% of all British children
A privilege for the rich
National Curriculum
compulsory in state school
optional in independent school
Higher Education
Recruitment based on
A-levels
School references
Interview
All British universities are partially funded by central government grants
Except Buckingham University and BPP University College
Maintenance grant
Degree
Bachelor
3 years
Master Degree
1 year
Doctoral Degree
3~4 years
Famous University
Oxford University
located in the city of Oxford
the oldest university in the English-speaking world
Cambridge University
one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the largest in Britain
founded in 13th century
has more Nobel Prize winners than any other institution in Britain
The University of London
founded in 1836
first comprised of two colleges, UCL and KCL
a federation of colleges
Media
Founction
It is obvious that the media is central to British leisure culture. It is no exaggeration to say that the media shapes the public opinion, determines people's moral and political orientation(倾向）and consolidates or undermines(削弱）the rule of a government.
Category
News papers
Long established industry
The Observer(first appeared in 1791)
still published every Sunday
the world's oldest Sunday newspaper
The Times(first published in 1785)
one of Britain's oldest and influential newspapers
Two categories
The "quality press" or "broadsheets" featuring mostly serious articles
"Big Three"
The Times(1785)
in-depth article, well-educated audience
cautious attitude
the view of government
The Guardian
liberal and left wing
The Daily Telegraph
free enterprise over social programs
The "tabloids"
Scandal and gossip
The Sun on Sunday
Television and Broadcast
The British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) 1936
Famous program
documentaries
costume dramas
the "BBC Shakespeare" series
BBC World Service
32 languages
Independent Televison(ITV) 1955
SkyTV 1989
British Satelite Broadcasting
Holidays and Feastivals
Founction
reflect the religious, historial, social and cutural diversity of their country
provide an opprtunity for families and friends to get together to exchange good wishes and enjoy each other's company
Famous Festivals
Christmas
commemorates（纪念）the birth of Jesus Christ（耶稣）
celebrated on December 25
Three Christmas traditions(particularly British)
Christmas pantomime（童话剧）
a comical, musical play
Queen's Christmas message
broadcast on both televison and radio
Boxing Day（节礼日）
falls on the day after Christmas
Easter（复活节）
the most important Christian festival for church- goers
commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ（耶稣复活）
falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25
depend on the date of the first full moon after the spring equinox（春分）
traditions
Easter eggs
The Easter bunny(hare 野兔)
Greenish lily
"Trooping the Color"
the Queen's Brithday Parade
one of Britain's most impressive and colorful festivals
