Английский язык. Ч. 4. Гималетдинова Г.К - 15 стр.

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                                       ТЕКСТ А
                           Education in the United Kingdom
       The quality of a country’s future life, commercially, industrially and intellectu-
ally, depends on the quality of its education system. From the end of the World
War II the state in the United Kingdom provides a full range of free educational
facilities. Those parents who prefer to send their children to private institutions,
and could afford it, are free to do so.
       The organization of state schooling is not as centralized as in most European
countries. Firstly, there is no prescribed curriculum. Secondly, the types of school
available and the age ranges for which they cater vary in different parts of the coun-
try. In each area Local Education Authority is responsible for education. At any pub-
licly maintained school no tuition fees are payable. State schooling in the United
Kingdom is financed partly by the Government and partly by local rates.
       Schooling is voluntary under the age of five, but there is some free nursery
school education before that age. Primary education takes place in infant schools
for pupils aged from five to seven years old and junior schools (from eight to
eleven years). Some areas have a different system in which middle schools re-
place junior schools and take pupils aged from nine to twelve years. Secondary
education has been available in Britain since 1944. It is compulsory up to the age
of sixteen, and pupils can stay at school voluntarily for up to three years longer.
       Until 1964 children took an “eleven plus” exam at the age of eleven. At this
exam they were selected, or “streamed” according to their current level of academic
attainment, for education in different types of secondary schools. Grammar schools
provided a mainly academic course for the top 20 percent; modern schools provided
a general education with a practical bias. There were also a few technical schools –
academic equals of grammar schools but specializing in technical studies.
       In 1965 non-selective comprehensive schools were introduced. Most local edu-
cation authorities have now completely changed over to comprehensive schooling.
       At the age of sixteen pupils take school-leaving examinations in several sub-
jects at the Ordinary level. The exam used to be conducted by eight independent
examining boards, most of them connected with a university. This examination
could also be taken by candidates at a further education establishment. This
exam was called the General Certificate of Education.
       A General Certificate of Education of Advanced (“A”) level was taken two
years after the Ordinary level exam. It was the standard for entrance to University
and to many forms of professional training. In 1988 both examinations were re-
placed by the more or less uniform General Certificate of Secondary Education.
       The private sector is running parallel to the state system of education. There
are about 2500 fee-charging independent schools in Great Britain. Most private
schools are single-sex until the age of 16. More and more parents seem prepared
to take on the formidable extra cost for education. The reason is the belief that
social advantages are gained from attending a certain school. The most expen-
sive boarding schools in Britain are exclusive public schools like Eton college for
boys or St. James’ school for girls.
                                           Словарь
education system – система образования               широкий спектр бесплатных образова-
a full range of free educational facilities –        тельных учреждений