Education in UK

Schooling for children in the UK

The modern British education system

Britain is the home of some of the world's most famous schools and universities. Britain has long been a centre of educational excellence. Building on this platform the current British government is making a massive investment to meet the current age's increasing demand for information technology (IT) and further education.

Information technology is at the heart of Britain's competitive philosophy. Computers and similar tools are used in all subjects and by children of all ages with different abilities, and for different purposes. Education in the UK is broadly divided into two broad groupings: State schools (free) and private schools (fees payable).

The national and regional systems

The school year starts in early September and is divided into three terms, the last of which ends in July the following year. Attendance at school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16-years. Immigrant parents need to contact their local education authority to arrange for the admission of their children to school if they wish them to be educated in the state sector. Most 3 and 4-year-old children now enjoy free, publicly funded, early education in state nursery schools, in classes attached to primary schools or with private and voluntary providers. In more isolated areas of the country this may not be possible.

Parents wishing to send their children to state schools in the UK (also for schools teaching special subjects or for children with special needs) are advised to begin their search for information as soon as possible on the following government websites:

England: www.DfES.gov.uk

Wales: www.learning.wales.gov.uk

Northern Ireland: www.deni.gov.uk

Scotland: www.scotland.gov.uk

The "National" Curriculum

The first curriculum phase in education in England is the distinct Foundation Stage covering the period from age 3 to the end of the reception year in primary school, when the majority of children will be aged 5 or just over.

All providers, whether state sector, private or voluntary, who are receiving government funding of their free early education provision, must work to the Foundation Stage and Early Learning Goals.

The National Curriculum website can be found at: www.nc.uk.net

In Wales children study the Welsh language as well as part of the National Curriculum. The Welsh Joint Education Committee is an information resource site on activities in education in Wales. Their website is: www.wjec.co.uk

The "Scottish" Curriculum

The Scottish Curriculum does not follow the National Curriculum. Instead the Secretary of State advises both schools and the Scottish Local Authorities. The Scottish Development Education Centre promotes a global approach to Scottish Education. For further information visit: www.scotdec.org.uk

Information technology teaching in Scotland is developing through the Learning and Teaching Scotland organisation. This body is working with others to develop the curriculum from the ages of 3 to 18 years' old. For further information visit this website: www.ltscotland.com

Immigrant parents in Scotland who for any reason cannot place their children in suitable schools can contact the Scottish Education Support Services: See their website at: http://www.ceg.org.uk/info/?title=Private+Tutor

The "Northern Ireland" Curriculum

Schools are not limited to the Northern Ireland Curriculum for what they teach. They can develop the curriculum to express their particular community's characteristics or to meet the needs of their pupils. For further information, visit the following website: www.ccea.org.uk/curriculum.htm

In Northern Ireland, Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory element of the curriculum. A core syllabus drawn up by the 4 main churches was made compulsory for all pupils from September 1996.

Private or boarding schools

Some parents in Britain may find it more convenient for their children to be educated at boarding schools.
Further information on independent schools can be obtained from ISCIs and the following websites:

www.schoolsearch.org.uk (includes information on special education).

www.indschools.co.uk

www.iscis.uk.net

Independent reports on every school in Britain can be obtained from the website of OFSTED, the Office for Standards in Education: www.ofsted.gov.uk OFSTED is a non-ministerial government department charged with improving standards of achievement and the quality of education by regular inspection, public reporting and independent advice. The Daily Telegraph newspaper publishes so-called 'league tables' of the academic performance of all schools in England and Wales. (See website: www.telegraph.co.uk) It shows the academic results of every school, but does not generally take into account individual characteristics of each school.

See website of the Scottish Qualifications Authority: www.sqa.org.uk

Foreign language schooling

Parents of children too old for secondary education, but who wish them to come to Britain too, can access an immense range of courses to attract them. For more information, visit this website: www.educationuk.org

Contact details for various education bodies in the UK

Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT
Tel: 08700 012345
Public enquiries: 0870 000 2288
Fax: 01928 794248
Minicom: 01928 794274
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk
Email: info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

Training and Education Department
National Assembly for Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ
Tel: 029 20825111
Fax: 02920 825524
www.wales.gov.uk

Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)
29 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, Belfast, BT1 3BG
Tel: 028 9026 1200
Fax: 028 9026 1234
Website: www.ccea.org.uk
Email: info@ccea.org.uk

Scottish Executive Education Department
Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0131 556 8400
Tel (direct dial): 0131 244 + ext
Enquiry line: 08457 741741
Fax: 0131 244 8240
Email: ceu@Scotland.gov.uk
Website: www.scotland.gov.uk

Learning and Teaching Scotland Dundee office:
Gardyne Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 1NY
Tel: 01382 443600
Fax: 01382 443645/6

Glasgow office:
74 Victoria Crescent Road, Glasgow, G12 9JN
Tel: 0141 337 5000
Fax: 0141 337 5050
Call centre: 0141 337 5000
Email: enquiries@ltscotland.com
Website: www.ltscotland.com

ISC International
Grosvenor Gardens House, 35-37 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1 0BS
Tel: 020 7798 1550
Email: international@iscis.uk.net
Website: www.iscis.uk.net

The British Council (The UK's international network for education, culture and development services.)
Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 6BB
Tel: 0161 957 7037
Website: www.britishcouncil.org