UK School System (England)

Key themes in Education Key facts Phases of Education Characteristics of State Schools National Curriculum National Assessment Framework Autonomy & Accountability Current Government Priorities

Three Themes in Education Centralisation of the curriculum, assessments and

standards

Delegation to schools of the means to deliver the national agenda but with very strong national framework for accountability and inspection

Local Authorities responsible for quality of education locally and services for children and families

There are 8.3 million pupils in 25,300 schools in England

91% pupils attend state schools

1% pupils attend special schools

7% pupils attend independent schools

Nursery 37,530

State Primary 4,204,500

State Secondary 3,316,050

State Special 85,500

Independent Special 4,870

Pupil Referral Units 14,470

Independent 579,930

City Technology Colleges 16,460

Academies 15,200

Distribution of pupils by school type

Facts of Education

Phases of Education

Phase Age of Pupils (years)

Pre-school or Nursery Under 5

Primary Schools 5-11

Secondary Schools 11-16 or 11-18

Sixth Form Colleges 16-18

Further Education Colleges

16+

Special Schools 3-18

Characteristics of State Schools

Characteristic Primary Secondary

% pupils eligible for free school meals

16.9 (includes nursery)

14

% ethnic minorities 19.3 15.9

% first language other than English

11.6 9

Average class size 26.2 21.7

The National Curriculum (1)• Compulsory curriculum for pupils aged 5-14

(Key Stages 1-3) : English, Mathematics, Science History, Geography, Art and Design, Music Design and Technology, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Modern Foreign Language, Physical Education Religious Education (RE) Citizenship (not statutory at primary school) Sex and relationship education for pupils aged 8-14 Careers education at 14

The National Curriculum (2)• Pupils aged 14-16 (Key Stage 4)

Compulsory: English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, PE, RE,

Citizenship, careers and work-related learningEntitlement: The Arts, Design & Technology, Modern Languages,

History or GeographyOptional Subjects: Arts Sciences, languages and Humanities,

vocational Qualifications, GSCE or equivalent examinations

Careers Education, Sex Education and Work-related learning are compulsory but not examined

• Students aged 16-18 (Key Stage 5)Students choose from a wide range of academic and

vocational subjects and take Advanced Level or equivalent examinations at the ages of 17 and 18. Normally four or five subjects are taken in the first year in the sixth form and three subjects in the second year.

Religious Education and ICT to GCSE standard continue to be compulsory.

The National Curriculum (3)

Specialised Diplomas 14 - 19 Specialised diplomas will be available at three levels:

Level 1, equivalent to four or five GCSEs

Level 2, equivalent to six GCSEs

Level 3, equivalent to three Advanced Levels

At levels 1 and 2 students study the core curriculum plus the diploma. Level 3 prepares students for higher education

Transformation (1988 - 2008)

Centralisation of the curriculum, assessment and standards

Delegation to schools of the means to deliver the government agenda within a very strong national framework for accountability and inspection

Local Authorities responsible for quality of education locally and services for children and families

National Assessment Framework

• Pupils are assessed at each Key Stage of the curriculum

Tests at age 7, 11 and 14(Key Stages 1, 2 and 3)

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at 16 (Key Stage 4) Pupils usually take 9 GCSE or equivalent

Advanced Level GCE at 17 and 18(Key Stage 5)Pupils usually take 4-5 subjects in the first year of sixth form and 3-4 in their second year

• Annual targets are set at national, local authority and school level

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Regulates, develops and modernises the curriculum, assessments, examinations and qualifications

Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED)

Regulation and inspection of childcare, schools, colleges, children's services, teacher training and youth work

Examination Boards Provide GCSE and Advanced Level Examinations and vocational qualifications for which schools and colleges pay

Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), plus government funded non governmental organisations

Examples, DCSF National Director for Languages: strategy in teaching languages, supported by centre for language teaching (CILT)

National College for School Leadership

National Bodies

Autonomy of Schools

The headteacher and senior leaders have freedom to determine school ethos

They have full responsibility for the quality of education of pupils in their care

Schools are responsible for - Teaching and learning - Appointment and management of all staff - Buildings and site – including playing fields - Budget

Accountability of schools

A headteacher is accountable to a Governing body that represents parents, the community and often the Local Authority

There are national standards for headteachers

New headteachers must be accredited by the National Professional Qualification for Headship

Schools are regularly inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)

Responsibilities of Local Authorities (1)

Accountable for standards in their area and advocate for children and families

Legally responsible for the actions of schools in their areas

Enabling schools, social care and health services to work together in the interests of individual children within a framework of children’s services and children’s trusts

Responsibilities of Local Authorities (2)

Ensuring children receive an education appropriate to their needs

Managing the admission of children to schools

Distributing government funding to schools and deciding on the proportion of the budget different schools receive

Government Priorities (1)

The Children’s Plan, incorporating

Every Child Matters

Services shaped by and respond to young people and families

Integration of the services that work with children

National Strategies at Key Stage 2 (ages 8-11), Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14) and Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16)

The standards unit at the DCSF is responsible for national programmes to improve teaching and learning and literacy and numeracy

Inclusion Children with physical disabilities and learning and behavioural difficulties to be educated in mainstream schools

Government Priorities (2)

Personalisation Tailoring education to individual need, interest and aptitude so that all pupils achieve the highest standards possible, whatever their economic circumstances and prior achievement

Introduction of more vocational pathways for young people aged 14-19

Vocational diplomas in 14 areas will be introduced from 2008-2015

Continued expansion of specialist schools

More than two thirds of secondary schools have subject specialisms

Government Priorities (3)Remodelling the workforce to reduce bureaucracy and focus

on learning and teaching

ICT central to learning and teaching

All pupils to have a level 2 qualification in ICT by the age of 18.

Increasing participation in higher education

Target of 50% attendance at university (44% attend now)

Schools to work in partnership and federations with each other and opportunity to create trust schools

Successful schools to join with failing schools and specialist schools to support partners, greater independence for trust schools

Government Priorities (4)Building schools for the future

Rebuild or renew all schools over a 10-15 year period

International Strategy Every child in England to have an international experience while at school

Healthy Schools Improving dietary, physical and emotional health of young people

National skills strategy and National Skills Alliance (DCSF and Department for Trade and Industry)

Developing the skills of the workforce to meet the needs of employers and improve the basic skills of some adults

Thank You !