Secondary school

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Secondary school (the term "high school" is most often associated with English-speaking countries, though the two are far from synonymous) is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place. It follows elementary or primary education, and may be followed by university (tertiary) education.

There are many different types of secondary school, and the terminology used varies around the world. Children usually transfer to secondary school between the ages of 10 and 16 years, and finish between the ages of 16 and 19 years, though there is considerable variation from country to country.

The following descriptions and definitions pertain to state-funded education unless otherwise stated.

Countries

Australia

In Australia secondary school is called high school, from Year 7 to Year 12 in every state but Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, where high school is started in Year 8.[1] In Tasmania, high school consitutes Years 7 to 10 with college (senior secondary) consiting of Year 11 and 12.

Canada

In Canada, secondary schools (also known as high schools) are educational institutions usually consisting of students enrolled in grades nine through twelve (ages fourteen to eighteen), although variations and subdivisions of this structure are fairly common. In Quebec, school years are known as Secondary 1 through to Secondary 5 (grades 7–11).

England and Wales

In England and Wales secondary school is for children from the ages of 11 to 18.[2] Secondary school incorporates Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 of the National Curriculum (Year Seven to Year Eleven) and can also include sixth form. After 16 compulsory education ends, and young people can decide whether to continue their studies further at school or sixth form college, or leave the education system.

Curriculum

The "Core Curriculum" is the compulsory secondary curriculum for Key Stage 3 and 4 years/Forms 7-11/1-5.

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science (This may be taught at 3 separate sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
  • Modern Foreign Language is now compulsory for Key Stage 3 children. Usually, the language learnt is either French, German, or Spanish.

In some schools it may be compulsory to take a GCSE in ICT.

GCSEs must be taken in all of these subjects.

Also compulsory until year 11/ Form 5 are:

  • Citizenship
  • Personal Social Health Education (P.S.H.E)
  • Religious Studies (R.S.) or Religious Education (R.E.)
  • Physical Education (P.E.)
  • Sex Education (S.E.) (Compulsory for Year 7 but optional for years 8-11. No GCSE available. This is usually taught compulsory to year 9 in areas of high teenage pregnancy). This may be taught as part of P.S.H.E. and Biology

A GCSE does not have to be sat in these subjects but a full or short course GCSE may be sat if the student wishes. In some schools (Mainly Independent schools or High achieving selective state secondaries) these subjects are compulsory to do the GCSE exam in.

'Key Stage 3' Year 7-9/ Form 1-3 Curriculum

The "Core Curriculum" plus the other Key Foundation subjects

  • Art and Design
  • Design and Technology
  • Drama
  • Geography
  • History
  • Other MFLs (Spanish, Polish, Welsh (the school will decide, if at all))
  • Music

Hong Kong

Main article: Education in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong the government provides a tweleve-year compulsory education to students in the territory. Students are promoted to secondary schools after finishing their primary school education. Until the 2008-2009 school year secondary schools had seven grades (Form/Secondary 1-7), but starting from school year 2009–2010 the 3–3–4 scheme is in operation; Form 4–6 has become Senior Secondary 1–3, Form 7 has been eliminated, and universities provide four years of education instead of three.

India

Main article: Education in India

In India high school is a grade of education from Standards IX to XII. Standards XI and XII are also called Secondary School or Junior College. Usually students from ages 14 to 17 study in this section. These schools may be affiliated to national boards (like CBSE, ISE, and NIOS) or various state boards. Education is compulsory until age 14. Although most are stand-alone day schools, some popular schools are residential. Traditional second stage in formal education, typically beginning at ages 14 – 16 and ending at 16 – 18.[3]

The distinction between elementary and secondary education has gradually become less marked because of the proliferation of middle schools, junior high schools, and other divisions.

Ireland

Main article: Education in the Republic of Ireland

In Ireland secondary schools go from first year to sixth year, with the typical student age being between 12 and 19. It is split into two cycles, the Junior Cycle a three year course with the Junior Certificate taking place at the end of third year and the Senior Cycle a two to three year course with the Leaving Certificate taking place at the end of the sixth year. Fourth year also known as Transition Year is optional however is included as part of the senior cycle, the majority of secondary schools no longer allow their students to skip this year. Subjects vary slightly between the two certificates however English, Irish and Maths are mandatory in both (with the exception of Irish in certain situations) these three subjects are offered at Higher, Ordinary and Lower Level. Other subjects are only offered at Higher or Ordinary Level with the exception of Junior Certificate subject Civic, Social and Political Education which is Common Level. Education is mandatory up until the age of 16 or until the Junior Certificate has been sat. The majority of secondary schools also require students to wear school uniforms and in some cases a Physical-Education uniform as well.

Italy

In Italy education is organized in 3 levels:

  • scuola elementare or elementary school (age 6 to 10)
  • scuola media or middle school (age 11 to 13)
  • scuola superiore o secondaria or high or secondary school (age 14 to 19).

New Zealand

In New Zealand secondary school is often called college, from Year 9 to Year 13 (formerly known as Forms 3 to 7, with children aged 13–18).

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, secondary school includes grade 10 through 12.

Scotland

Main article: Secondary education in Scotland

Scotland has a long history of universal provision of public education, and the Scottish education system is distinctly different from the other countries of the United Kingdom. The Scotland Act 1998 gives Scottish Parliament legislative control over all education matters, and the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 is the principal legislation governing education in Scotland.

Traditionally, the Scottish system at secondary school level has emphasized breadth across a range of subjects, while the English, Welsh and Northern Irish systems have emphasised greater depth of education over a smaller range of subjects. In Scotland secondary school is for children from the ages of 11 to 18, compulsory up to the age of 16.

The majority of state schools are non-denominational, but as a result of the Education Act 1918, separate denominational state schools were also established. The vast majority of denominational state schools are Roman Catholic but there are also a number of Scottish Episcopal schools. The school buildings are built and maintained by the Roman Catholic Church were handed over to the state under the Education Act. Since then,the Catholic schools are fully funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate. As part of the deal, there are specific legal provisions to ensure the promotion of a Catholic ethos in such schools: applicants for positions in the areas of Religious Education, Guidance or Senior Management must be approved by the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, which also appoints a chaplain to each of its schools.

Qualifications at the secondary school and post-secondary (further education) level are provided by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, which is the national awarding and accrediting body in Scotland, and delivered through various schools, colleges and other centres. Political responsibility for education at all levels is vested in the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Education and Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Departments.

United States

Main article: Secondary education in the United States

In the United States the term can refer to two types of school. The first type is the same as a high school (grades 9–12), while the second type refers to an alternative school which is sometimes called a secondary school. For example, the school "Richmond Secondary" refers to the traditional high school, while "Richmond Secondary School" refers to an alternative school.[clarification needed][citation needed] In some jurisdictions "secondary school" may refer to an institution that houses grades 7–12, or both middle school and high school years, for example "Robinson Secondary School" in Fairfax, Virginia.

Nomenclature

The names used to describe the institutions used for secondary education vary from country to country. Sometimes, the same terminology is used in different countries but with very different meanings.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to High schools and secondary schools.
  1. ^ "Australian School Systems". Australianexplorer. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  2. ^ Dictionary definition of secondary school from the Longman Online Dictionary
  3. ^ www.cbse.in.nic


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