British Schools: A Closer Look Reading History Boys
Part of culture is how it is transferred to the next generation. This is usually one of the goals of education.
Most of you are familiar with British private education or boarding school education that was popular in the early 20th century. J.K. Rowling, for example, illustrates this quite effectively in her novels.
Education in England, similar to our tax supported system, is divided into nursery (ages 3–4), primary (elementary) (ages 4–11), and secondary (ages 11–18)--which is different from our middle school (7-8th grade, ages 11-13). A tertiary education level occurs after secondary school (ages 18+) called the Sixth Form. The boys in the play are currently in this situation. It is similar to our Associates-level degrees received at community colleges. In England this level is called the A-Level (advanced level).
Full-time education is compulsory for all children 5-16, although this has just changed to compulsory education until 18, and will take effect in 2013.
Higher education in the UK often begins with a three-year bachelor's degree. Postgraduate degrees include the typical Masters and PhD programs as we do as well.
While there are various similarities concerning problems in the educational system, such as grade inflation, accurate assessment, and concern over examination boards (like our AP, SAT, and ACT) an affordable education is quickly becoming a concern. The reasons you should care are various. Education is closely tied with economics. Other factors such as liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness all hinge on being able to understand and learn appropriate skills needed in a society or cultural group. Education is the ticket out of poverty. To think well (and be able to think) is essential to human growth. Without these skills, our culture(s) cannot survive. Take a look at a few documentaries when you get a chance. All of this may spark an idea for a play, poem, short story, memoir, film, documentary, etc. of your own.
Charterhouse School in Godalming (promotional documentary)
This is England: Foreign Language Video, but with some information about elementary level education
Student Life (a comic documentary)
The Making of Them (part 1 --other parts can be found on line), Documentary, 1994
Harrow School Documentary (part one)
English High School (public) (Student documentary)
My Student Life (a Japanese student's film about her experiences in the UK school system)
Advice about living in the UK (for foreign students)
Fictional Accounts of British Education in film:
The 1968 disturbing and controversial film IF.... (starring Malcolm McDowell)
The 1984 film Another Country (starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, and Cary Elwes, based on Julian Mitchell's play)
To Sir With Love (part one, film 1967, with Sidney Portier)
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (entire film, 1969 with Maggie Smith based on Muriel Spark's novel)
Harry Potter scene with Alan Rickman
Slightly related, John Stossel's report: Stupid in America (TV episode) and another film The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America
And a graphic lecture on Public Education.
Most of you are familiar with British private education or boarding school education that was popular in the early 20th century. J.K. Rowling, for example, illustrates this quite effectively in her novels.
Education in England, similar to our tax supported system, is divided into nursery (ages 3–4), primary (elementary) (ages 4–11), and secondary (ages 11–18)--which is different from our middle school (7-8th grade, ages 11-13). A tertiary education level occurs after secondary school (ages 18+) called the Sixth Form. The boys in the play are currently in this situation. It is similar to our Associates-level degrees received at community colleges. In England this level is called the A-Level (advanced level).
Full-time education is compulsory for all children 5-16, although this has just changed to compulsory education until 18, and will take effect in 2013.
Higher education in the UK often begins with a three-year bachelor's degree. Postgraduate degrees include the typical Masters and PhD programs as we do as well.
While there are various similarities concerning problems in the educational system, such as grade inflation, accurate assessment, and concern over examination boards (like our AP, SAT, and ACT) an affordable education is quickly becoming a concern. The reasons you should care are various. Education is closely tied with economics. Other factors such as liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness all hinge on being able to understand and learn appropriate skills needed in a society or cultural group. Education is the ticket out of poverty. To think well (and be able to think) is essential to human growth. Without these skills, our culture(s) cannot survive. Take a look at a few documentaries when you get a chance. All of this may spark an idea for a play, poem, short story, memoir, film, documentary, etc. of your own.
Charterhouse School in Godalming (promotional documentary)
This is England: Foreign Language Video, but with some information about elementary level education
Student Life (a comic documentary)
The Making of Them (part 1 --other parts can be found on line), Documentary, 1994
Harrow School Documentary (part one)
English High School (public) (Student documentary)
My Student Life (a Japanese student's film about her experiences in the UK school system)
Advice about living in the UK (for foreign students)
Fictional Accounts of British Education in film:
The 1968 disturbing and controversial film IF.... (starring Malcolm McDowell)
The 1984 film Another Country (starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, and Cary Elwes, based on Julian Mitchell's play)
To Sir With Love (part one, film 1967, with Sidney Portier)
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (entire film, 1969 with Maggie Smith based on Muriel Spark's novel)
Harry Potter scene with Alan Rickman
Slightly related, John Stossel's report: Stupid in America (TV episode) and another film The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America
And a graphic lecture on Public Education.
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