International Contacts- UK

I have been conversing with my second cousin, Diane from the UK, for the past month.  Diane is currently retired from education, but has forwarded my questions along to a friend who is currently in education.  This is what Sam Gisborne had to say:

In the UK, children start the school year that they turn 5 (September-July). They are in one class per year, with a new teacher that stays with them for the year. They teach them all subjects, though specialists, such as French teachers, can be brought in.

Most schools run the primary- secondary system: students stay in their primary until they are 11 (year 6). They then go up to the secondary school from age 12 (year 8) to either year 11, where they are 16 and then off to college for two or three years to do vocational courses (haridressing, mechanics etc.) or stay on to do A-levels for two years before decising if they want to go to university. Students have a different teacher for each subject. They start to specialise with GCSEs at the age of 14 (completed at the age of 16), although they still have to do English Maths and Science. A-levels allow them to specialise further- they pick between 3 and 4 subjects.

Regrading interaction with the community, my school has ambassadors to the local council. We take part in Holocaust Memorial Day every year nd lay wreaths at Remembrance Sunday. We also have our annual carol concert in the local Abbey. Individual students can get involved in groups in the community outside of school if they so choose.

What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

At the moment the big issue is literacy testing (again)- have a look at this report by a national newspaper http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jul/04/national-phonics-test-primary-pupils

What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

You are required to have got your Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE, a one year course after your undergraduate degree, or else have done a three year course in education (primary schools only) and then you must complete your induction year/Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) year which is what i am doing at the moment. For this you are employed in a school but have an 80% timetable (normal teachers have 90%), you have a mentor in your subject (secondary) or key stage (Primary) who you meet with regularly. You may also have an Induction coordinator who organising sessions on things like report writing, gifted and talented, special educational needs etc. Schools also provide usually 3 or 4 days a year for in-school professional development which ranges from post-16 teaching to Ofsted criteria and mentoring/pastoral work. My school is really good about letting you go on external courses (not all are) so i recently went to one on marking GCSE papers for Religious Studies as it is the first time that I am teaching it.

What are some of your professional goals? 

I have a real interest in gifted and talented so would like to get more involved in that. I have also done a lot of training on teaching about the Holocaust which is an area that I would benefit from further studying and implementing. I would like to become a head of department one day- but one step at a time!