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Original poster

Scottish School System - what are the differences to England

27 replies

roisin · 20/09/2008 05:01

Can someone please explain to me some of the main differences in the Scottish School System, especially secondary?

I know they don't do SATs, but do have Ofsted.

Particular queries are:
What age do children transfer to secondary school? (Summer birthdays May and July.)
I know you have Primary 1 etc, what are the years called in secondary?
When do they do formal/national exams?
What are these called? (I know the top ones are highers.)
And how many subjects do students usually do?
Do they choose options as in England? If so when?
What are current policies regarding Modern Foreign Languages?
Do they have cover supervisors in Scotland?
Teaching Assistants at secondary schools?
Plus anything else you think might be of particular interest to me!

OP posts:
Ceolas · 20/09/2008 11:15

I know they don't do SATs, but do have Ofsted.
Ofsted equivalent is called HMIe

Particular queries are:
What age do children transfer to secondary school? (Summer birthdays May and July.) They would start when they are 12

I know you have Primary 1 etc, what are the years called in secondary? P1-7, S1-6

When do they do formal/national exams?
What are these called? (I know the top ones are highers.) Standard grades in May/June of S4 (your kids would be 16 and 15). Highers or Intermediate 1/2 in S5 and 6. They are 1 year courses so you can do some in S5 and more (or Advanced Highers) in S6.

And how many subjects do students usually do?
Do they choose options as in England? If so when? Choose at end of S2 for Standard grades. Up to 8. Highers up to 5 at a time.

What are current policies regarding Modern Foreign Languages? AFAIK you must do a language for 4 years at secondary. Depends on school which languages are offered. Most do French from P6.

Do they have cover supervisors in Scotland?
Teaching Assistants at secondary schools? Not sure what cover supervisors are. TAs are called learning assistants and they are in primary and secondary.

Original poster
roisin · 20/09/2008 11:08

bump

OP posts: