UK Dis'ers - Can you help?

[frndofpooh]

I posted this on another board but then I found this one!

DH and I have been watching a documentary series that was filmed in England called the Seven Up series. It's about a group of kids that come from many backgrounds and it follows them through their lives. It is fascinating! Anyway, my question is this - What is the difference in a "comprehensive" school and a "grammar" school? What are the expectations for kids when they finish either comprehensive or grammar schools? Thanks in advance for your help - the documentary is not very clear on this point.

 

[Karen Mouse]

My personal view is :

A grammar school - you have to pass examinations to get in one (at the age of approx 11 years old) and the level of education is great. They do encourage you to do well and aim high for your profession.

A comprehensive - local school for local children of mixed abilities.

You might get differing answers - some people do not like the idea of grammar schools as it is not available to all children.

Hope this helps

 

[natalielongstaff]

karen is right

comprehensive schools take children regardless of their educational ability

grammar schools set an exam and therefore can select pupils according to their educational ability and usually the ability to pay the fees.

 

[frndofpooh]

Thanks to both of you for the replies!

So grammar schools sound a little bit like our private schools in that you have to pay fees and take an entrance exam. What are the grammar school fees like in relation to your "private" or prep schools?

Do both grammar schools and comprehensive schools teach the same subjects?

Thanks so much for the information - it's really interesting to see how other countries teach their children

 

[Frances999]

Yes, grammar schools and comprehensive schools will typically teach the same subjects. However, grammar schools do not usually charge fees, but simply use government funding or separate means of support.

Private schools can either be selective (using an entrance examination) or non-selective (that is, take students regardless of ability). I'm not sure what the "average" fees are as it varies dramatically depending on the area. At my children's school the day fees are around £2,500 per term (£7,500 per year).

Independent School fees have been rising sharply - at around 6% per year. This is mainly due to the rising salaries of teaching staff, as a result of the government increasing starting salaries for teachers due to the lack of supply.

We're relocating to San Francisco next year (just for 10 months) and I was completely shocked by the fees of the private schools over there. Ridiculously expensive!

 

[Karen Mouse]

My grammar school was not fee paying. They teach the same subjects and cover the same criteria, but ours used a higher examination board, so your qualifications were different.

 

[mark&sue]

I loved that 7 up series. Can't believe how quickly the seven years fly by. Wonder when the next series is due?


Susan

 

[CustardTart]

...DH and I have been watching a documentary series that was filmed in England called the Seven Up series. It's about a group of kids that come from many backgrounds and it follows them through their lives. It is fascinating!

Hi! My DH and I love this documentary - they've recently shown a catch-up - 49 Up, I think it was called. Really interesting to see the kids become middle-aged men and women...

...What is the difference in a "comprehensive" school and a "grammar" school? What are the expectations for kids when they finish either comprehensive or grammar schools? Thanks in advance for your help - the documentary is not very clear on this point.

At the time the programme was initially made, a child reaching 11 would be assessed by their primary school. Those deemed to be more academic were able to take an exam (11+) and upon passing were admitted to a local state-funded grammar school. Here, the syllabus was very much about academic achievement and at the very least boys/girls were expected to leave with good prospects, tho' not necessarily going on to university - that was the exception rather than the rule when the prog was made. Everyone else went to the local comprehensive school with much more mixed results. Neither of these options were fee-paying.

 

[frndofpooh]

I loved that 7 up series. Can't believe how quickly the seven years fly by. Wonder when the next series is due?


Susan

We love it too. I've definitely got my favorites in the bunch, I hope they turn out okay . DH and I were wondering if it is a big thing over there to watch the series. Are these people considered celebrities?

I think the next one comes out a little later this year.

 

[Claire L]

Years ago Grammar schools were for the 'brighter' children and the lower ability children went to schools called Secondary Moderns. When things changed in the 70's alot of local auhorities got rid of Grammar schools in favour of mixed ability Comprehensive schools. At the old Grammar schools children were expected to take their 'O' levels (GCE - General Certificate of Education)) at age 16 and then go onto study for their 'A' levels at 18, whereas at Secondary Moderns alot of children left at age 15/16 without any qualifications and even if they did they took a lower level exam called the CSE (Certificate of Secondary Education). In my area there have been no Grammar schools for about 25 to 30 years, just Comprehensives, but other areas still have both Grammar and Comprehensives. In 1988 the exams for all 16 year olds changed and became one style for all abilities and are called GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education).

HTH

Claire