Affichage des articles dont le libellé est university. Afficher tous les articles
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est university. Afficher tous les articles

CH. VII – Education

CH. VII – Education

63- Public schools

64- School age

65- Secondary schools

66- University


63- At what age do children go to school in Britain?

Children in Britain generally attend school from the age of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) until they are 16. Before the start of formal schooling, many children attend nursery schools or nursery classes attached to primary schools. In addition, some parents elect to send their children to private (fee-paying) nursery schools or kindergartens. In England and Wales, many primary schools also operate an early admission policy where they admit children under 5 into what are called reception classes.

Children first attend the infants’ school or department. At 7 they move to the junior school and the usual age for transfer from junior to secondary school is 11 (12 in Scotland). In some areas, however, ‘first’ schools take pupils aged 5 to 8, 9 or 10, and pupils within the 8 to 14 age range go to ‘middle’ schools.

64- What are the different types of secondary school?

Nearly 88 per cent of secondary school pupils in England go to comprehensive schools, as do all pupills in Wales. These take children of all abilities, and provide a wide range of secondary education for all or most of the children in a district from the age of 11 to 16 or 18.

Grammar schools, in Northern Ireland and some areas of England, offer a mainly academic education for the 11 to 18-year age group. All children in Scotland go to non-selective schools. Children enter grammar schools on the basis of their abilities, first sitting an entrance examination (the ‘11’ plus). Grammar schools cater for (pourvoir à) just over four per cent of children in secondary education.

A small minority of children attend secondary modern schools (around four per cent). These schools provide (fournir) a more general and technical education for children aged 11-16.

Specialist schools
, which only operate in England, give pupils a broad secondary education with a strong emphasis on arts, business and enterprise, engineering, humanities, mathematics and computing, music, science, languages, technology or sports. There are over 1,950 specialist schools. They charge no fees (droits d’inscription) and any secondary school can apply for specialist school status.

Academies
are publicly funded independent schools sponsored by private and voluntary organisations. Their aim is to offer new respnses to the school failure that sometimes occurs in city areas.

City Technology Colleges
(CTCs) aim to give boys and girls a broad secondary education with a strong technological and business slant (perspective). They are non-fee-paying independent schools, set up by the Government with the help of business sponsors who finance a large proportion of the initial capital costs and develop links with the schools. There are now 14 such colleges in operation in England.

65- Why are ‘public’ schools so called?

The independent school sector is separate from the state educational system,and caters for some seven per cent of all schoolchildren in England and four per cent in Scotland. There are around 2,400 independent schools in the UK.
Parents of pupils attending independent schools pay for their education, and in some cases fees can amount to several thousand pounds a year. Some pupils gain scholarships and their expenses are covered by the schools.

About 250 of the larger independent shools are known for historical reasons as public schools. Eton, which was founded in 1440, is said to have been the first grammar school to be called a 'public shool' because scholars could come to it from any part of England and not, as was generally the case, just from the immediate neighbourhood.
Originally, many public schools stressed a classical education, character training and sports, but the curriculum is now closely allied to state education.

In Northern Ireland there are a few independent fee paying schools catering for a very small proportion of the school population; they do not receive any support from public funds.

Schools in Scotland supported by public funds are also called 'public schools' but they are not fee-paying, independent schools.

66- Which is the oldest university in Britain?

The University of Oxford was the first university to be established in Britain. Dating from the 12th century, it is organised as a federation of colleges which are governed by their own teaching staff known as ‘Fellows’. The oldest college, University College, was founded in 1249. Other notable colleges include All Souls (founded in 1438), Christ Church (founded in 1546 by Cardinal Wolsey), the college chapel of which is also Oxford Cathedral, and Lady Margaret Hall (founded in 1878), which was the first women’s college. Today Oxford University is made up of 39 separate colleges, of which one is for women students only, and the rest take both men and women.



In 1209, scholars running away from riots in Oxford set up the first academic community in Cambridge. The University is also organised as a federation of colleges; the oldest, Peterhouse, dates from 1284. The largest college, Trinity, was founded by King Henry VIII in 1546.


Scotland also boasts a number of long- established universities. By the end of the Middle Ages Scotland had four universities at Edinburgh (founded 1583), Glasgow (founded 1450), Aberdeen (founded 1495) and St Andrew’s (founded 1411) compared to England’s two!


The University of Wales
was founded in 1893. It consists of six colleges, the oldest one being the University of Wales, Lampeter, founded as St David’s College in 1822.

The Queen’s University of Belfast was founded in 1845 as one of the three ‘Queen’s Colleges in Ireland’. It received its charter as a separate university in 1908.

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    CH. XIII - Practical advice and useful addresses

    CH. XIII– Practical advice and useful addresses

    95- VAT
    96- BBC World Service
    97- Quarantine regulation
    98- Postage rates
    99- British stamps
    100- Contacts

    95- How can I claim back VAT?

    Tourists who purchase goods at shops participating in the Retail Export Scheme may apply for a refund if they intend to leave Britain for a final destination outside the European Union within three months of the date of purchase. Visitors should ascertain before making their purchase whether or not a refund will be available.

    • At the time of the purchase the retailer will ask to see a passport to establish the customer’s eligibility for the refund scheme.

    • Both parties should then complete the refund document provided by the retailer (form VAT 407 or a refund company voucher).

    The VAT form or refund voucher must be presented with the goods for certification by HM Customs and Excise when the customer departs from the European Union. Forms cannot be certified after departure from the EU.

    The certified form should then be sent to the retailer or funding company, and the claim will be processed and a refund cheque (in sterling) sent to the purchaser. Alternatively, the form may be handed in at the refunding company office at the airport for an immediate refund, if applicable.

    Any correspondence about non-receipt of funds should be sent to the retailer or refunding company, not HM Customs and Excise or British Government Offices.An information leaflet about claiming back VAT for overseas visitors may be obtained from:

    The Southbank VAT Centre,
    HM Customs and Excise
    Dorset House,
    Stamford Street,
    London SE1 9PY
    Tel +44 (0) 171 202 4087

    96- Where can I find out about the BBC World Service?

    To find out the frequencies for the BBC World Service write to:
    BBC World Service
    PO Box 76,
    Bush House,
    Strand,
    London WC2B 4PH
    Tel +44 (0) 171 240 3456 Fax +44 (0) 171 379 6841

    In addition, the BBC Worldwide Magazine, available by subscription (contact address above), publishes a complete listing and regular updates of frequencies.

    97- What are the regulations for repatriating deceased people to Britain?

    All deaths must be registered in the country where death occurs
    . The local police or the British Consul can give advice on how to do this. The death may also be registered at the British Consulate, and by doing so a British death certificate may be obtained.

    In certain countries British Consulates cannot issue death certificates. These are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
    British Consuls can also provide a list of local funeral directors and advise on the transport of the deceased back to Britain.

    98- Where can I find out about postage rates?

    Any Post Office in Britain can advise on postage rates within Britain or overseas. There are two postage rates in Britain first class and second class.
    - First class postage should be used for letters requiring delivery on the next working day.
    - Second class should be used for items that are not urgent - most second class letters are delivered within three working days.

    For further information or details of charges call
    the Post Office Counters Services Helpline on 0345 22 33 44 (calls within Britain only)

    99- Where can I find out about philatelic clubs and obtain British stamps?

    The British Philatelic Bureau can supply a wide range of British postage stamps and other philatelic items by mail order. The Bureau’s monthly Philatelic Bulletin gives details of all new stamp issues, First Day Cover services, postmarks and other information about postage stamps and philately. For a free information pack contact:

    The British Philatelic Bureau
    20 Brandon Street,
    Edinburgh,
    EH3 5TT
    Tel +44 (0) 131 550 8989

    100- Where can I find the address of...?

    The British Council
    The British Council has offices throughout Japan. Click here for details.

    The British Tourist Authority
    The BTA has an offices in Tokyo. Click here for details.

    Buckingham Palace
    The address is:
    Buckingham Palace,
    London SW1A 1AA

    Charities and voluntary organisations
    Charities and voluntary organisations are listed in the Charities Digest, published annually by:
    Waterlow Information Services Limited
    Paulton House,
    8 Shepherdess Walk,
    London N1 7LB
    Tel +44 (0) 171 490 0049
    Fax +44 (0) 171 253 1308

    Alternatively
    ,
    The Charity Commissioners
    St Alban’s House,
    57-60 Haymarket,
    London SW1Y 4QX
    Tel +44 (0) 171 210 4477
    Fax +44 (0) 171 210 4559
    maintain a central register of charities.

    For details of voluntary organisations consult
    The Voluntary Agencies Directory, published by:
    National Council for Voluntary Organisations
    Regent’s Wharf,
    8 All Saints Street,
    London N1 9RL
    Tel +44 (0) 171 713 6161
    Fax +44 (0) 171 713 6300

    Embassies and High Commissions
    Embassies in London are listed in the Central London area telephone directory, also in parliamentary guides such as the PMS Parliamentary Companion.

    Government departments
    These are listed in the telephone directory (Central London area)
    and in parliamentary guides such as the PMS Parliamentary Companion,
    or access all Government departments on the Government’s website:

    Members of Parliament
    MPs can be contacted by post at:
    House of Commons,
    London SW1A 0AA

    Full details of MPs and their constituencies can be obtained from:
    The Public Information Office
    House of Commons Library,
    1 Derby Gate,
    London SW1A 2DG
    Tel +44 (0) 171 219 4272

    National newspapers
    National newspapers are listed in the Willings Press Guide published by:
    Reed Information Services
    Windsor Court,
    East Grinstead House,
    East Grinstead,
    West Sussex RH19 1XA
    Tel +44 (0) 342 326972

    Political parties
    These are listed in parliamentary guides, or contact head offices.

    Conservative and Unionist Party
    :
    Tel +44 (0) 171 222 9000
    Fax +44 (0) 171 222 1135

    Labour Party
    :
    Tel +44 (0) 171 701 1234
    Fax +44 (0) 171 234 3300Liberal

    Democrats
    :
    Tel +44 (0) 171 222 7999
    Fax +44 (0) 171 799 2170

    Museums
    Popular museums are listed in Museums and Galleries in Great Britain and Ireland, published by:
    Reed Information Services
    Tel +44 (0) 342 326972

    or contact
    the British Tourist Authority (BTA)
    Telephone Information Line on
    Tel +44 (0) 181 846 9000

    Television companies
    TV companies are listed in the Blue Book of British Broadcasting, published by:
    Tellex Monitors Ltd,
    Communications House,
    210 Old Street, London EC1V 9UN
    Tel +44 (0) 171 490 1447
    Fax +44 (0) 171 490 8595
    This guide gives exhaustive details of all television and radio companies in Britain.

    The British Film Institute Film and TV Handbook
    , published by
    BFI,
    21 Stephen Street,
    London W1P 2LN, also lists television companies.

    Universities
    UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the central agency which acts on behalf of all British universities and most colleges of higher education. The UCAS Handbook lists the names and addresses of all British universities, together with details of their degree courses.
    UCAS Handbook,
    Universities and Colleges Admissions Service,
    Fulton House,
    Jessop Avenue,
    Cheltenham,
    Gloucs GL50 3SH
    Tel +44 (0) 1242 222 444
    Fax +44 (0) 1242 221622



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