User:Keithgreer/Education in Northern Ireland
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Education in Northern Ireland differs slightly from systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom, though is more similar to that used in England and Wales than it is to Scotland. The Northern Ireland system emphasises a greater depth of education compared to the English and Welsh systems. The majority of examinations sat, and education plans followed, in Northern Irish schools are set by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). A child's age on the 1 July determines the point of entry into the relevant stage of education unlike the English, Scottish and Welsh where it is the 1 September.
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[edit] Curriculum
All schools in Northern Ireland follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum which is based on the National Curriculum used in England and Wales. At age 11 on entering secondary education all pupils study a broad base of subjects which include Geography, English, Mathematics, Science, PE, Music and modern languages. Currently there are proposals to reform the curriculum to make its emphasis more skills based and in addition to those mentioned, Home Economics, Local and Global Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education will become compulsory subjects.
At age 14 pupils select which subjects to continue to study for GCSE examinations. Currently it is compulsory to study English, Mathematics, Science, a modern language and Religious Studies, although a full GCSE course does not have to be studied for the latter. In addition, pupils usually elect to continue with other subjects and many study for 8 or 9 GCSEs but possibly up to 11 or 12. GCSEs mark the end of compulsory education in Northern Ireland.
At age 16 some pupils stay at school and chose to study AS and A2 level subjects or more vocational qualifications such as AVCEs. Those choosing AS and A2 levels mormally pick 3 or 4 subjects and success in these can determine acceptance into higher education courses at university.
[edit] Types of schools
Although religious integration is increasing, Northern Ireland has a highly segregated education system, with 95% of pupils attending either a maintained (Catholic) school or a controlled school (mostly Protestant). Teaching a balanced view of some subjects (especially regional history) is difficult in these conditions. Schools for Key states 1 to 4 can be divided into 5 categories.
[edit] Controlled Schools
Crontrolled schools are essencially schools which are owned and operated by the locl Education and Library board. The schools is governed by their Board of Vovenors. Most controlled schools have representatives of local Protestant churches on their Board of Governors.
[edit] Maintained Schools
Catholic
A Catholic maintained school is a Catholic church school, owned by the Catholic Church. They are managed by a Board of Governors. The local Education and Library Boards do provide financial asistance, this is usually through financing recurrent costs and the employment of non-teaching staff.
Other
Other types of maintained schools can include schools owned by a particular Prodestant denomination. As with Catholic schools, these are managed by a Board of Governors and recivev some funding from the local Education and Libaray board for recurrent costs.
[edit] Voluntary Grammar
These schools are owned by school trustees and managed by a Board of Governors.
A voluntary grammar school is owned by trustees and managed by a Board of Governors. These schools usually require a higher result from students doing the Eleven plus exam.
[edit] Grant Maintained Integrated Schools
Grant maintained intergrated schools are non-denominational schools. THey are partically owned by trustees and managed by a Board of Governors. Unlike other maintained schools they recieve funding for recurrent costs from the Department of Education, rather than the local Education and Library Board.
[edit] Holidays
School holidays in Northern Ireland are considerably different to the rest of the United Kingdom. Northern Irish schools often do not take a full week for half term holidays, and the Summer term does not usually have a half term at all. Christmas holidays sometimes consist of less than two weeks, the same with the Easter vacation. This does, however, vary considerably between schools. The major difference however is that summer holidays are considerably longer with the entirety of July and nearly all of August off, giving an eight week summer holiday.
[edit] Grammar Schools
Northern Ireland remains the largest area in the UK which still operates grammar schools. In the last year of primary school, children sit the eleven plus transfer test, and the results determine which school they will go to. In 2001 the decision was taken to abolish the system, and to replace it with a form of comprehensive education, but this will not take effect until 2008. For further information, see the article on the Tripartite System.
[edit] School years
- Primary Education
- Primary School
- Key Stage 1
- Primary 1, age 4 to 5
- Primary 2, age 5 to 6
- Primary 3, age 6 to 7
- Key Stage 2
- Primary 4, age 7 to 8
- Primary 5, age 8 to 9
- Primary 6, age 9 to 10
- Primary 7, age 10 to 11 (Eleven plus exams to determine secondary school placement.)
- Key Stage 1
- Primary School
- Secondary Education
- High School or Grammar School
- Key Stage 3
- Year 8 or 1st Form, age 11 to 12 (equivalent to Year 7 in England and Wales)
- Year 9 or 2nd Form, age 12 to 13
- Year 10 or 3rd Form, age 13 to 14
- Key Stage 4
- Year 11 or 4th Form, age 14 to 15
- Year 12 or 5th Form, age 15 to 16 (GCSE examinations)
- Key Stage 3
- High School, Grammar School, or Further Education College
- High School or Grammar School
