Summary Of the Article:

Secondary education in the UK typically begins at age 11, though in some areas it may start at 12 or 13. Schools vary in type, including comprehensive and grammar schools, with comprehensive schools accepting all local students regardless of ability. Government-funded academies operate independently of local authority control, allowing curriculum flexibility and teacher salary decisions. These academies were introduced in 2000 to improve underperforming schools and were expanded by the Academies Act 2010.

About 95% of secondary schools in England and Wales are comprehensive, while private schools, which educate around 7% of students, do not follow the national curriculum. Upper secondary education includes both general and vocational pathways, provided by schools, colleges, and tertiary institutions. The National Curriculum outlines compulsory subjects from ages 5 to 16 and is divided into five key stages.

Technical and vocational education is emphasized due to specialized labor market demands, with increased government and business investment. Students are assessed continuously through internal exams and externally through national tests, particularly in core subjects like math, English, and science, with additional professional examinations at the end of secondary education.

A Comprehensive Guide to the UK Secondary Education System:

Secondary Education in UK:

1- The nature of education is secondary:

Secondary education in the UK usually starts for pupils at the age of eleven, although in some parts of the UK there are schools where this education is provided from the age of twelve to thirteen. There are different types of schools for public secondary education in the UK that reflect historical traditions and the policies adopted by local authorities. Comprehensive Schools admit all children, regardless of ability or aptitude, who live within the school premises. Along with this there are other types of schools like grammar schools etc.

Government-funded academies are autonomous schools, these academies enjoy considerable freedom to innovate and improve quality in education, and are free from local authority control. They can determine their own the salaries and allowances for teachers, apart from having the freedom to choose the curriculum for the duration of the school year. In the UK, the Academies program was first introduced in March 2000 to find alternatives to underperforming schools. Academies are being established and run with the help of external sponsors to improve academic performance. The Academies program was expanded under the Academies Act 2010. This legislation allowed all public primary secondary and vocational schools to apply to become academies.

2- Secondary School Structures of UK:

95% of secondary schools in England and Wales are comprehensive, the rest of England's schools e.g. Grammar and Secondary, are modern.

All government schools, including those schools supported by religious institutions and Government schools are required to teach the national curriculum. Private schools are not bound to adopt the national curriculum. These schools charge a fee from students and more than seven percent students study in private schools.

Upper secondary education is imparted in schools, colleges, tertiary institutions and other educational institutions where general education courses and vocational education are also provided. Colleges of further education are the main source of vocational education but they also provide general education.

3- Curriculum of UK Secondary Education:

In England and the wales, the National Curriculum is taught, under which students from five to sixteen years are taught different subjects. For compulsory secondary education, students in government schools are taught English (Walsh in Walish medium schools), mathematics and science. Modern foreign languages are also taught to students in England. After that there is no compulsory subject in compulsory secondary education. The following five basic steps are key stages to the curriculum these are divided into stages.

i. The first basic stage:

Foundation year and from year one to two.

(The age of children is from 5 to 7 year.)

ii.Second basic stage:

years three to six.

 (Children Age 8 to 11)

iii. Third basic stage:

Year 7 to 9.

(Children Age 12 to 14)

iv. Fourth basic stage:

Year 10 to 11.

( Children Age 15 to 16 year)

v. Fifth Basic Stage:

Year 12 to 13.

Children Age ( 17 to 18 year)

4- Technical and Vocational Education:

The labour market, being more specialized demands high level of skills. Therefore the Government and business institutions are increasing investment in professional education. In this context, funds are provided to government training institutions and cheap aprentus-ship.

5- Assessment and Examinations:

The process of continuous evaluation of students by the teachers is going on for which they conduct examinations and tests at the internal level. At the end of the ninth academic year (age fourteen), the required performance in mathematics, English and Science is checked by taking a national level test. At the end of compulsory secondary education, students take external examinations (General Shortage of Secondary or Vocational Examinations). Along with these professional examinations are also held.