Understanding the UK Education System: Public, Private, and State Schools
The ‘Public’ School:
In England, the ‘public’ school is a school with public effect where you pay high fees, similar to a private school. There are academic standards that need to be reached and proven before being able to enter a ‘public’ school. There are options to prove this academic excellence:
- By taking and passing an entrance test.
- By coming from a ‘feeder’ institution that provides and ensures the academic excellence of their students.
The “Private” School
describes a different type of fee-paying school. The difference between ‘private’ and ‘public’ schools is that public schools tend to be boarding schools with higher fees. Public schools are often single-sex, although some are now mixed. All fee-paying schools are independent schools.
The Free School
would be the state/comprehensive school, which is state-funded.
There exists a grammar school, a state-funded institution that selects students based on academic ability. Only the best-prepared students can enter these schools, often those whose parents can afford private tuition. However, grammar schools are available to any bright student. Some state schools are very good and achieve high grades. Academies are state-maintained independent schools set up with the help of outside sponsors, established in the UK in 2000.
Differences: Public School
- They play rugby and hockey.
- They have different subjects such as Latin.
- The uniforms are more formal and students wear them properly.
- They are boarding schools.
- They have excellent teachers who often speak with a posh accent.
- They don’t use punishment for aggressive or misbehaved children, they use sports.
- Students wear no jewelry or makeup.
State School:
- They are not often seen playing sports such as hockey or rugby.
- Their uniform is not expensive, and children wear it as they want, not adhering to the rules.
- They are never boarding schools.
- Teachers may not be as highly qualified.
- Misbehaved children receive severe punishment.
- Students often wear a lot of jewelry and makeup.
A Gap Year
is the year before university, which some students spend traveling or gaining work experience. 12% of students take a gap year at Birmingham. Marcus Williams believes a gap year can be beneficial if used wisely, although some teachers are not keen on it. Dr. Julia Lodge is in favor of gap years. Dr. Mike Ward believes it is beneficial, as students are more mature and perform better than those without a gap year. Dr. Austen Spruce states there is no difference between students who have taken a gap year and those who haven’t, and admissions are not based on this. Alice Baines recommends a gap year, as it helped her and gave her confidence. You can’t tell on the first day at university who has been on a gap year and who hasn’t.
The Working Class
is defined by what they wear, buy, and how they live, often associated with the north, such as Sunderland.
Middle Classes:
This class is most aware of the meaning and status of their purchases, and they are very self-conscious. Their tastes share an emotional desire to show what good people they are. For the middle classes, taste is a moral issue. Their status is not based on money but on education and how they present themselves. Their clothes and food are often organic.
In the new middle class, children of rich parents are often unhappy. They are focused on buying and don’t care about decoration. They don’t have anxiety. They prioritize education and are ashamed of their wealth.
In the traditional middle class, homes are very decorated with strong prints. The difference between the new and traditional middle class is education. Money is not the main concern. Their houses are very decorated. They have anxiety and are unsure of what to buy, often avoiding brands.
Upper Classes:
Tradition, inheritance, and appropriateness make it difficult for them to develop their own taste. They often buy stately homes and own old houses. The upper class inherits their taste, while the middle class’s taste is based on education and presentation. They have big, old houses with large gardens. Their clothes are often old, belonging to ancestors. Land ownership is a sign of wealth. Hunting in England is part of upper-class culture.
1,3 middle 2 upper 4,5 working