Secondary Education
Pupils usually enter Secondary Education at age 11. As mentioned in the Primary Education Section, a few areas have a three-tier-education system including a middle school. The age for middle school varies between 8 and 9, but usually embraces four school years. After middle school the pupils attend a comprehensive upper school to finish their Secondary Education with their GCSE or A-Level exams.
This video shows children, who are about to leave primary school, talking about their hopes for their new Secondary School and their future in general. It points out how significant the change into Secondary Education is and how important the choice of a good School seems to be:
Most Secondary Education schools in the UK are comprehensive schools, which are equivalent to the German "Gesamtschule". In only few areas grammar schools (in Germany: "Gymnasium") still exist. Their pupils are usually elected by the so-called eleven-plus exam. Some of these grammar schools are fully others partially selective. Schools which are specialised in one or more subjects also have the right to select up to 10% of their intake for aptitude in the specialism. Only a few make use of this option though. The intakes of comprehensive schools can vary depending on the area they are located in. Faith schools, for example, can require the child to be Catholic or Protestant to be able to attend the school.
In Secondary Education the most important exams are taken. The former National Curriculum Test after Key Stage 3 (end of year 9) was abolished after marking problems in 2008. A very important step are the GCSE exams after Key Stage 4 (end of year 11), in which the British pupils sit exams in up to ten subjects. All test results (GCSE and A-Level as well) are published in the UK and very important for the school's reputation. Parents often decide on these results where to send their children to.
Sixth Form
Year 12 and 13 are known as the so-called Sixth Form. After year 12 British pupils sit their AS-Level exames. At the end of these two last years of voluntary Secondary Education British pupils ake their A-Level exams in usually up to four subjects. The A-Level is equivalent to the German Abitur and the certificate for university entrance.
This system of Secondary Education applies for England, Wales and Nothern Ireland. The Scottish system differs in a few aspect. It has one year less of full-time school education before qualifying for university, different ages for school transfer and examinations. Secondary Education is also fully comprehensive-based in Scotland.
In Secondary Education the most important exams are taken. The former National Curriculum Test after Key Stage 3 (end of year 9) was abolished after marking problems in 2008. A very important step are the GCSE exams after Key Stage 4 (end of year 11), in which the British pupils sit exams in up to ten subjects. All test results (GCSE and A-Level as well) are published in the UK and very important for the school's reputation. Parents often decide on these results where to send their children to.
Sixth Form
Year 12 and 13 are known as the so-called Sixth Form. After year 12 British pupils sit their AS-Level exames. At the end of these two last years of voluntary Secondary Education British pupils ake their A-Level exams in usually up to four subjects. The A-Level is equivalent to the German Abitur and the certificate for university entrance.
This system of Secondary Education applies for England, Wales and Nothern Ireland. The Scottish system differs in a few aspect. It has one year less of full-time school education before qualifying for university, different ages for school transfer and examinations. Secondary Education is also fully comprehensive-based in Scotland.
