CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

The Education System, Northern Ireland and Different Life Styles

Presented By

• Marlin Dwinastiti (10004402)• Rosi Diana Indah M. (10004416)• Rossa Pamela Yunita (10004424)• Fatatun Azizah (10004432)• Meiana Wulandari (10004453)

The Education System

Education in Britain is provided by the Local Education Authority (LEA) in each county. It is financed partly by the government and partly by local rates (a kind of property tax).

Nursery Education (Under 5 Years)

Children do not have to go to school until they reach the age of five, but there are some free nursery-schools education before that age.

Primary Education (5 to 11 Years)

Primary education takes place in infant schools (pupils aged from 5 to 7 years) and junior schools (from 8 to 11 years).(Some LEAs have a different system in which middle schools replace junior schools and take pupils aged from 9 to 12 years).

Private Education (5 to 18 Years)

Some parents choose to pay for private education in spite of the existence of free state education. Private schools are called by different names to state schools; the preparatory (often called “prep”) schools are pupils aged up to 13, and the public schools are for 13 to 18 years-old. These schools are very expensive and they are attended by about 5% of the school population.

Secondary Education (11 to 16/18 Years)

Since the 1944 Education Act of Parliament, free secondary education has been available to all children in Britain. Indeed, children must go to school until the age of 16, and pupils may stay on for one or two years more if they wish.

Secondary schools are usually much larger than primary schools and most children -over 80 percent-go to a comprehensive school at the age of 11. These schools are not selective-you don’t have to pass an exam to go there.

Comprehensive Schools

Comprehensive schools want to develop the talents of each individual child. So they offer a wide choice of subjects, from art and craft, woodwork and domestic science to the sciences, modern languages, computer studies, etc. all these subjects are enjoyed by both girls and boys.

Sixteen Plus

Pupils who stay on into the sixth form (17 years-old in the Lower Sixth and 18 years-old in the Upper Sixth) usually fall into two categories: some study two or three subjects at GCE ’A’ level (Advanced Level—a highly specialized exam) while others stay on in the sixth form to try and obtain more GCE passes. Any pupils attending a school which does not have a sixth form may either move to a school which does, or they can go to a Further Education College.

Many people decide to leave school at the age of 16 even if that school has a sixth form, and they can go a Further Education College.

School Uniform

The pupils at most secondary schools in Britain, have to wear a school uniform. This usually means a white blouse for girls (perhaps with a tie), with a dark-coloured skirt and pullover. Boys wear a shirt and tie, dark trousers and dark coloured pullovers. Pupils of both sexes wear blazers with the school badge on the pocket. They often have to wear some kind of hat on the way to and from school—caps for the boys, and berets or some other kind of hat for the girls. Shoes are usually black or brown and should be sensible—no high heels.

Life at College

British Universities

There are 46 universities in Britain. Good ‘A’ Level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at one. However, good exam passes alone are not enough. Universities choose their students after interviews, and competitions for places at university is fierce.

Free at Last!

Most 18 and 19 years-old in Britain are fairly independent people, and when the time comes to pick a college they usually choose one as far away from home as possible.

Freshers

When they first arrive at college, first year university students are called “freshers”. A fresher’s life can be exciting but terrifying for the first week.

Often freshers will live in a Hall of Residence on or near a the college campus, although they may move out into a rented room in their second or third year, or share a house with friends. Many freshers will feel very homesick for the first week or so, but living in Hall soon helps to make new friends.