Education in the United Kingdom has been brought to the highest level and successfully combines traditions (it is noteworthy that the first British educational institutions appeared in the XII century, and the education of children is still regulated by law from 1944) and the reasonable use of innovative methods and technologies.

People usually mention discipline, a special atmosphere of tolerance, involvement of students in the educational process, the all-around development of the personality and individual abilities of each student.

Primary and secondary education in the UK is compulsory and designed for children between the ages of 5 and 16. In this case, parents can choose options:

• free education in public schools;
• paid private schools (almost 4 thousand institutions, including primary Preparatory schools or working in conjunction with a junior high school);
• homeschooling (special permission is required, the quality of knowledge of the child/adolescent must be periodically confirmed by passing the test).

Foreign students are not admitted to public schools, so there is no need to talk about them. An important feature of Foggy Albion is many private boarding houses and half-board - schools with student accommodation.

According to British parents, education in private educational institutions is of better quality, and more attention is paid to students.

The secondary education system in England

The so-called secondary education or Secondary School is educational programs for adolescents aged 11-16 years. In general, secondary education in the UK is a period of in-depth study of basic disciplines with a simultaneous focus on specific subjects.

At this stage, there is a certain division of students in several directions, for which, in addition to the usual general education, the following categories of educational institutions are proposed:

• gymnasiums (specialization - Science, Mathematics);
• Grammar School — a range of schools for gifted children (achieving high results in selected subjects);
• religious schools with an emphasis on spiritual education.

This step ends with a qualification exam, which determines the type of education in high school, for which another two years are allotted.

Pros and cons of secondary education in the UK

The undoubted advantages of an English high school, in addition to strong basic knowledge, include the fact that children are taught to work with information (search, analysis, systematization) and the rules of behaviour in society, they are taught oratory and a taste for art.

The British school pay special attention to sports (popular types - tennis, cricket, golf, horse riding, football), which is both a tool for developing physical abilities, a means of promoting health and a method of socialization.

The country's achievements in the field of inclusive education are great: today, for children with special needs, secondary schools have both the necessary technical equipment and specially trained teaching staff.

Are there any disadvantages to such a system? The disadvantages usually include the rigidity of discipline and control, sometimes excessively high requirements, the presence of specific sets of punishments/rewards for each educational institution, and unique teaching characteristics. Asceticism is practised in everyday life, skipping classes is not justified by light ailments.

They will not make concessions here to a foreign student just because he is cut off from his homeland – and the high position of the parents won’t protect kids from strict requirements.

British secondary education in English in Russia

The main advantages of English high school can be tested by young Russian citizens and within their native country, thanks to numerous international schools such as the prestigious CIS International School.

Education here is conducted entirely in English, the Secondary 1 and IGCSE programs involve studying English, Science and Mathematics as the main subjects, and in the educational program, there are Computer Science, History, Geography, Music, Art, Modeling, Labour skills, Physical Education, Second foreign language. Successful high school education ends with an IGCSE International Certificate of Secondary Education.

The British school CIS International School is a real British secondary education that can be obtained in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Tashkent: find out more about the opportunities for your children by calling 8-800-775-42-70.