Read the text and do the exercises that follow it. Study the following vocabulary before reading the texts:

Study the following vocabulary before reading the texts:

a nursery school – детский сад, ясли

an infant (junior) school – начальная школа

a grammar school – грамматическая школа

a technical (modern) school – техническая школа

a comprehensive school – объединенная школа

a public school – частная школа

to submit a thesis – защитить диссертацию

practical vocational training – профессиональное обучение

School education is provided in 3 successive stages: primary, secondary and further.

Primary education covers nursery school or classes (3 to 5), infant school (5 to 7) and junior school (7 to 11).

Free secondary education has been available to all children in Britain since 1944.

Compulsory education begins at 5 when children go to primary schools, first to infant schools and then to junior schools.

The curriculum in the junior is arranged into individual subjects: arithmetic, reading, composition and other subjects such as nature study, history, geography, singing, physical education and so on. In primary school the first lesson is the Bible study, the second – arithmetic.

Before 1965 all children took an examination at the age of 11 called
“11+ examination” to determine what secondary school they should attend: modern or grammar school. In modern school pupils received a vocational (practical skills) education, while at grammar school – academic and prepared pupils for higher education. The top 20% were chosen to go to the grammar schools. Those who failed the “11+” went to secondary modern schools. Now this exam is gradually disappearing.

Secondary education starts at 11 and runs till 16–18.

In 1947 it was decided to establish comprehensive schools. Now about 80% of secondary schools are comprehensive. This type of school provides an all-round education for all children. These schools are not selective – children don’t have to pass an examination to go there. They offer a wide choice of subjects, from art and craft, woodwork and domestic science, modern languages, computer studies, etc. All pupils move to the next class automatically at the end of the year.

Many people leave school after the 5^th form at the age of 16. They take their Ordinary-Level examination (O-Level) and may go to a Further Education College for practical vocational training, for example, in engineering, typing, cooking or hairdressing.

For university entrance pupils have to stay in the 6^th form running for 2 years and leading to an Advanced Level exam (A-Level) in 3 or more subjects.

Most people take “A-level” when they are 18.

Parallel to the state system of secondary education which provides free education there are also fee-paying private independent schools. They are preparatory and public schools. Preparatory schools prepare children for public schools. Usual age of entry to a public school is 13 and leaving age is about 18. The schools provide general education of a very high quality. The most famous are Eton, Harrow, Marlborough and Winchester.

Further education in England is voluntary and fee-paying. It is provided at universities and colleges of further education (teachers’ training, art, technical, etc.). The candidate must be at the age of 18. Good A-level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at one. Admission to further educational establishments is by interview. At Oxford and Cambridge there is an entrance exam.

A University consists of a number of faculties: theology, medicine, arts, philosophy, law, economics and others. The normal duration is 3 years at the end of which a student gets a Bachelor’s degree. A Master’s degree is awarded after a further year or 2 years study. The highest degree is Doctor’s degree awarded for research and a submission of a thesis.