Education in the UK is compulsory. Children are legally obliged to attend school from the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) to 16. In 1992 there were 9.5 million full-time school/college students.

Comprehensive schools were introduced in the 1960s; National Curriculum were introduced in 1988 . And there Four stages of education in the UK:

Primary

Secondary

Further education

Higher education

2 Two School Systems

2.1 The State System ---11-year compulsory education

Education in the UK is compulsory. Children are legally obliged to attend school from the ages of 5 to 16. State schools are funded by local and central government. About 93% of pupils receive free education from the public sector. The government also sometimes assists schools established by religious groups.

2.2 The Independent System --- Public schools

Parents can choose between sending their children to state schools or to private schools. In the private sector there are independent schools which are commonly, but confusingly, called public schools. (They are called public schools because they were originally seen as “public” alternatives to having private tutors in aristocratic households.) Independent schools receive their funding through the private sector and through tuition rates, with some government assistance. Independent schools are not part of the national education system. Parents choose to pay fees in order to send their children to these schools because the quality of education is such that their children have a better chance of getting into good universities and/or getting better jobs when they leave school. The most famous public schools are Eton, Harrow and Winchester. Take Eton as an example, The royal family thinks the school is just the place for Wills. In this self-contained world, titles confer no privileges, and the prince is probably not the only boy with a bodyguard. Foreign leaders’ children and scions of Greek shipping magnates bring them along too.

3 Education System

3.1 Pre-primary schooling (3-4 years old)

Up to age 5, children may have some pre-primary schooling in nursery schools, daycare, or play groups. The government has no obligation to provide such facilities and so many are private enterprise arrangements.

Nursery schools

Day care

Play groups

3.2 Primary schooling (5-11, 6 years)

Between the ages of 5 to 11, pupils mainly attend state sector primary schools. These schools are called co-educational or mixed schools because they admit both boys and girls.

Co-educational

Mixed primary schools

3.3 Secondary schools (11-16 years )

More than 80% of pupils in secondary schools in England and Wales attend mixed schools; 60% in Northern Ireland; Scotland, nearly all. About 90% of secondary schools are comprehensive schools which admit children without reference to their academic abilities. Such schools provide a general education. Pupils can study everything from academic subjects like literature and sciences, to more practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.

Those children who do not attend comprehensive schools attend grammar schools instead. Grammar schools select children, usually at the age of 11, through an examination called "the 11-plus". Those who show academic potential are admitted to the grammar schools where the emphasis is on advanced academic work rather than the more general curriculum of the comprehensive schools.

Comprehensive schools

Grammar schools

The 11-plus

3.4 Further education

At the age of 16, they can decide to quit school and find a job; or they can prepare to sit exams for university entrance; or they can concentrate on vocational training. Every 16 & 17 year old is guaranteed a place in full-time education or training. After 5 years of secondary education, (at about age 16) English, Northern Irish and Welsh students sit their GCSE exams (General Certificate of Secondary Education). GCSEs are the main means of assessing pupils’ progress in their final 2 years of compulsory education. Based on these results, pupils then decide what avenue of education they would like to follow. They have a number of choices. At the age of 16, they can decide to quit school and find a job; or they can prepare to sit exams for university entrance; or they can concentrate on vocational training. Every 16 & 17 year old is guaranteed a place in full-time education or training.

Pupils who hope to attend university carry on their academic study in the sixth form for a further two years and then sit A-levels exams (General Certificate of Education-Advanced). Most pupils try to achieve 3 or 4 A-levels in the subjects they are most proficient at. Since admittance to universities depends largely on A-level results, the two years spent in the Sixth Form are very important and often very stressful for British pupils. Among first year university students getting to know each other, the most common question after "What’s your name?" and "Where are you from?" is "What A-levels did you take."

Other pupils who decide not to go to university may choose to take vocational training. The vocational equivalent of A-levels are GNVQs (General National Vocational Qualifications), which provide a broadly based preparation for work or for taking further vocational.

3.5 Higher Education

GCSE

A-level

GNVQ

Recruitment of universities is based on Grades of AS, A-levels, GNVQs, School references and the result of Interview

British universities are public bodies which receive funds from central government. So far, Buckingham University is the only privately-financed university in UK, where students can finish 3 years’ courses in two years, and its curriculum changes flexibly according to market demands

Q&A: What’s the difference between time range required for degrees in British higher education system and the time range in Chinese higher education system?

For each degree, Time range required in UK and in China is different, B.A. / B.S. 3 years in the UK while 4 years in china. M.A. / M.S. 1 or 2 years in the UK 2 or 3 years in china. Doctoral degree 3 to 5 years in the UK 3 to 5 years in china.

4 Famous Universities

Higher education has a long history in the UK. Oxford and Cambridge date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The two universities are sometimes referred to collectively as Oxbridge.

4.1 Cambridge

The most important scientific discoveries and revolutions were made by Cambridge alumni.

1. These include: Understanding the scientific method, by Francis Bacon

2. The laws of motion, by Sir Isaac Newton

3. Evolution by natural selection, by Charles Darwin

4. The structure of DNA, by Francis Crick and James D. Watson

4.2 Oxford

Notable alumni of the University of Oxford

Twenty-six British prime ministers have attended Oxford, including most recently David Cameron.

At least thirty other international leaders have been educated at Oxford.[13] This number includes three Prime Ministers of Australia two Prime Ministers of Canada two Prime Ministers of India five Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Bill Clinton (the first President of the United States to have attended Oxford. Oxford has also produced at least twelve saints, and twenty Archbishops of Canterbury, Some fifty Olympic medal-winners have academic connections with the university, The long list associated with Oxford also covers writers, Economists such as Adam Smith, Some notable scientists ,Composers and Actors .

King’s College, Cambridge founded in 1441 by Henry VI, is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.

4.3 The academic year

The school year is 39 weeks long and is divided into three terms: determined by Regulations. Michaelmas Term lasts from October to December; Hilary Term from January to March; and Trinity Term from April to June. Within these terms, Council determines for each year eight-week periods called Full Terms, during which undergraduate teaching takes place. These terms are shorter than those of many other British universities. Undergraduates are also expected to prepare heavily in the three holidays (known as the Christmas, Easter and Long Vacations).

School Holidays

The main summer holiday is from mid-July to early September. Children also have 2 weeks holiday at Christmas and at Easter.

Universities, reflecting the trend throughout the education system, have traditionally been rather elitist. Most students were from the middle classes, attended good schools, performed well in their A-levels and received a fully-funded place in a university.

University campuses are full of people of different ages and nationalities studying many different things. The government tries to encourage the best overseas students to study in Britain by offering scholarships. In 1991, nearly 25 000 overseas students received some kind of help.

Welfare in UK

I Introduction

Britain is a country which has strong national inheritance, it established the first one in the world welfare State. Its formation is benefit from Poor Law and experience of non-governmental organization. Welfare regime is British civilization developed to an inevitable product of a certain stage, and it is stable given social contradictions, promoting social development aspects played cannot be underestimated role. At the same time, the welfare regime also exposed the many problems, produced a negative effect given should. But as a modem civilized society the product of

progress, it will follow the development of the society and constantly adjusted and perfected.

welfare state

The welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the social and economic well-being of its citizens. The welfare state of the United Kingdom comprises expenditures by the government of the United Kingdom intended to improve health, education, employment and social security. The UK system has been classified as a liberal welfare state system.

The Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 18 million claimants and customers.

Britain’s welfare system

Britain’s welfare system is broadly divided into seven categories: child and maternal welfare, disability or sickness benefits, retirement benefits, widows benefit, unemployment benefits, the welfare of low income people and social funds.

Children and Pregnant women welfare

Child Benefit: Regardless of your income, how many or how much to pay insurance money, as long as you have the responsibility of caring for children, you will be eligible to receive child benefit. Welfare payments for children under the age of 16 and 16 to 18 children are still non-institutions of higher education, are also eligible to receive. Application Procedures: both forms of the hospital or the Ministry of Social Security offices on request.

Family allowance: if you work per week for at least 16 hours, low income, they need to take care of at least one child (16 years of age or under 19 years of age, full-time students) will be eligible to apply. Allowance depending on family income and number of children. Application Procedures: post office or social security field units have the form request.

guardian allowance: parents responsible for looking after the death of a child's guardian will be eligible to apply for the guardian allowance and child benefit. Application Procedures: Social Security office to get a form, fill in application.

Statutory pregnant employee wages: fixed income and the amount of the employee's pregnancy, the employer each week to pay the wages, the number of employees.

single parent allowance: single alone but also take care of their children who can receive the single parent allowance. In addition to child benefit, the allowance was paid only to the first child.

Maternity allowance: not eligible for statutory pregnant employee's wages who set 44 pounds 55 pence a week.

The Social Fund Maternity subsidies gold: set up for those receiving income support payments, family allowances, disability allowance, the deposits of less than 500 pounds. The amount of £ 100.

Disability allowance and sick benefits

•Care allowance: the disabled over 65 years, requiring constant care. If the applicant is suffering from a terminal illness, special arrangements can quickly get allowance.

•Work accident disability benefits: for those who due to injury or illness cannot work industrial establishment.

•Disability Living Allowance: by reason of illness people who need care, if the applicant needs assistance to walk are also eligible to apply.

•Disability Working Allowance: Each set can work at least 16 hours a week people. Because of illness or disability they may make jobs affected, the applicant must be over 16 years of age.

Retirement welfare

Basic retirement benefits, over the retirement age, (female over 60, male 65) and in line with the National Insurance conditions. People to take care of minor children can get other benefits.

Widow’s pension

For applicants aged 45 years or more, or stop accepting widowed mother allowance.

Amount in accordance with the age and the amount of when to stop setting.

2) the widowed mother Allowance: to take care of at least one of the widow of the children eligible for child benefit; or husband to pregnant widow. The allowance is taxed.

Unemployment benefit

Biweekly pay benefits for one year. The applicant must have the capacity and actively seeking employment, they must pay enough National Insurance.

Low-income earners welfare

Revenue grants: more than 18 years of age, income below a certain level, the work week does not exceed 16 hours set. The applicant must have the ability to work and actively seeking work.

nursing homes and nursing homes allowance: before March 31,

1 993 the applicant has entered a nursing home or nursing homes to receive care. They can get a higher amount of income support to pay for hospital costs.

City Council Tax Benefit: handled by the local city council, in order to assist low-income people pay their city council tax.

rents allowances: City Council on behalf of those who need to pay the rent.

medical cost subsidy: free drug costs, dental care, eye examination, glasses or contact lenses.

other funding sources: the applicant receive income auxiliary, family allowance, disability working allowance, have relatives in prison, you can receive transportation assistance.

Social fund

The Social Fund in the UK was a form of welfare benefit provision payable for exceptional or intermittent needs, in addition to regular payments such as Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support.

The United Kingdom coalition government has abolished the discretionary social fund with effect from April 2013, by means of legislation contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012. Community care grants and crisis loans will be abolished from April 2013 and instead funding is being made available to local authorities in England and to the devolved administrations to provide such assistance in their areas as they see fit.

the regulated Social Fund:

1. Maternity expenses

2. Funeral expenses

3. Cold weather payments

4. Winter fuel payments