| When young people living
in England turn 15, they take a test called The
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). The GCSE is a single
subject examination set and marked by independent examination boards. Students
usually take up to ten (there is no upper or lower limit) GCSE examinations
in different subjects, including mathematics and English language. These
are called O-Levels, ordinary levels. Students are given a letter score
of A-G where A is the top grade. A, B or C grades are regarded as equivalent
to the 'pass' grades.
After age 16, young people can choose whether to continue with their formal education, enroll in the government's vocational training program, or go to work. Seventy percent opt to stay in education in a regular public school (known as 6th form education) or attend a "further education" college. To continue their education, they take the A-levels. (typically in 2-4 subjects). A-Levels, short for advanced levels, are required for university entrance in England. Students who do not wish to continue in school are guaranteed a place on the government's training program. The training program provides varying levels of on-site training. The National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) certify an individual's ability to meet the skill levels required for work. Unlike the U.S. where education is mostly controlled by states and local school boards, education in England follows a national system of curriculum, educational targets (standards), assessment, pupil testing, and school inspection. Schools basically gear the curriculum to the GCSEs. |