Woodlands Infants School.

18/04/2012.

The statutory school age in England and Wales is from 5 years to 16 years. English children enter the reception class (first grade) of primary school in the next term after their fifth birthday. They attend primary school for seven years, where they study English, arithmetic, science, Religious education, history, geography, music, art and crafts, physical education, and information technology (computers). Children also learn French from the age of 7 at our school. Subjects studied in Key Stage 2 (5 -11 year olds) English, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology (Computers), Religious Education (RE), Design and Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education (PE). The National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 includes English, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, IT, History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Music and PE. In addition to the National Curriculum, RE is also taught and, for secondary pupils, Sex Education. At Key Stage 4 students have to study English, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, a Modern Foreign Language, IT and PE. RE and Sex Education are also taught, although parents can choose not to let their child study these subjects. What different types of schools do you have in England? There are schools run by the Government. These schools are known as State Schools and parents do not pay. They are financed by public funds, which means that the money comes from the national and local taxes. Ninety percent of children in England and Wales attend a state school. There are also private schools. Parents pay for their children to attend these schools. They are known as Independent Schools Primary schools (5 - 11 year olds) In the UK, the first level of education is known as primary education. Secondary schools (5 - 16 year olds) Secondary schools provide compulsory education for children between the ages of eleven and sixteen in England and Wales. Children may stay on at school until the age of eighteen in order to pursue further studies, however this is not compulsory. From the ages of fourteen to sixteen, pupils study for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Pupils who stay on at school from the ages of sixteen to eighteen in England, may take the Advanced (A) level 1

examination, which traditionally is required for entry into higher education. Key Stage * 1 School Year Reception Year 1 Year 2 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 3 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 4 Year 10 Year 11 Age 5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 Grammar Schools or Comprehensive Schools Junior Schools 7-11 Primary Schools 5-11 Middle Schools 8-12 or 9-13 Infant School 5-7 First Schools 5-8 Types of Schools

Secondary Schools

Junior High Schools 12-16

*Key stage 1 includes pupils who are in Year 1 and Year 2, plus the pupils who are in the reception class who have reached compulsory school age. When are school vacations? How long do they last? State schools in England are closed on national holidays and at weekends. English schools have three terms (semesters), separated by vacations. The summer vacation lasts for about 6 weeks from July 20 to September 4; winter and spring vacation both last two weeks, from December 21 to around January 6 and March 25 to around April 5, respectively. The new school year starts in September, at the end of summer vacation. The three terms are: Autumn Term: September to December Spring Term: January to April Summer Term: April to July

Each term lasts for approximately thirteen weeks and there is a week half term break in the middle of each term. The local educational authority decides the dates of the school terms and the school governing bodies determine the times at which schools open and close each day. When do students sit Government Tests? AgeAGE 3-4 4-5 Stage Foundation GRADEt Tests

5-6 6-7

Key Stage 1

Year 1 Year 2 National tests and tasks in English and maths

7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11

Key Stage 2

Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 National tests in English, maths and science

11-12 12-13 13-14

Key Stage 3

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 National tests in English, maths and science

14-15

Key Stage 4

Year 10

Some children take GCSEs

15-16

Year 11

Most children take GCSEs, GNVQs or other national qualifications

Do children wear a school uniform? Most school in England requires children to wear a school uniform. The uniform Boys Long grey or black trousers (shorts may be worn in the Summer) White Shirt School tie (optional in most primary schools) Jumper or sweater with the school logo on. The colour is the choice of the schools. Black shoes Girls As above. Girls may wear skirts During the summer term girls often wear summer school dresses. What sorts of games do primary school students play during break times (recess)? The amount of time devoted to break times differs from school to school, but at many schools there are two breaks, lasting about 20 minutes each, for key stage 1 children, and one 20 minute break for key stage two children. The children also have an hour long lunch break. During break times and lunch times the children go out and play in the playground.

Kids play on an adventure playground or form teams to play soccer and basket ball. Also popular are skipping and such games as tag. Our Adventure Playground On rainy days and at other times when they can't go outside, children spend the time chatting with their friends, play board games or reading and drawing in the classroom. How long is your school day? Our School starts at 8:55 with registration. At 9:10 we go to assembly. In assembly we sing songs, listen to a story and pray.

Our first lesson begins at 9:20. We have break time from 10:20 until 10:35. During break time, the children have a snack and play games out doors. Afterwards, we go back in for another lesson until lunch at 12:00. Afternoon lessons begin at 1:10 and end at 3:15, when the children go home. We do not have a break in the afternoon. Actual taught time as defined by D.F.E = 23.5 hours weekly. On what days do your children attend school? The children attend school from Monday to Friday, from 08:55 - 15:15. We have a two week break (holiday) at Christmas and also at Easter. We have a six week break during our Summer (July/August). We also have a break at mid-term which usually lasts for about a week. Is your school a state or private (independent/public) school? Woodlands is a state school. Parents do not pay to send their children to our school. As a state school, we are financed by public funds, which mean that the money comes from the national and local taxes. Ninety percent of children in England and Wales attend a state school. How many classes do you have? We have twelve classes, 3 classes in each of the four year groups. There are between 28 and 32 children in each class. What is the difference between Grammar Schools and Comprehensive schools? Grammar schools are selective; they offer academically oriented general education. Entrance is based on a test of ability, usually at 11 (11+). Comprehensive schools, on the other hand, are non-selective; they do not select pupils on grounds of ability. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/ourschool/enroll.html