The School Education System In The UK
Intensive high school year
For international students looking to study in the UK, some schools offer a special program known as the Intensive GCSE Program in Year 11. This program is open to students who are 15 or older with a satisfactory academic standing in their home country. This challenging program spans a year and concentrates exclusively on six subjects.
IGCSE International High School Program
This program is designed for international students who want to prepare for A-level and/or B-level exams. Students will study 5 to 7 subjects, such as math, English, and science. At the end of the year, students will receive the IGCSE qualification if they pass the exams for each subject they studied.
Once a British student finishes the GCSE test, they have the choice to either continue their education and go to university, or leave school and start working.
Administration and supervision of education system in the UK
My observation of the UK’s educational system shows how it mirrors the country’s capitalist values of personal freedom. This manifests in the shared responsibility of education management and regulation among various groups.
The British education system strikes a balance between centralized and decentralized governance, leading to a moderate array of school types and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
The cornerstone of the UK’s education structure is the Butler Act. This act laid out the framework for how the education system should be organized and divided the responsibility for supervision between the government and local authorities.
The Role Of The Ministry of Education
As I’ve come to understand, the main authority for education in the UK is the Ministry of Education, helmed by the Education Minister, who must answer to Parliament. The Education Minister relies on Inspectors and the Educational Advisory Board for assistance. His responsibilities include education planning, overseeing school operations, supporting students, and hiring educators.
Each area’s local education leader is tasked with managing and providing financial support for schools, adhering to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines and laws.
