PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND

In Great Britain school begins at the age of five. Many boys and girls usually leave school at the age of sixteen.

In England the school year begins in September, but not always on the first day of the month, as school never begins on Monday. The English think that Monday is not a good day to start school. So pupils usually begin their school year on the first Tuesday of September (not always on the 1st of September as we do). The weather is usually fine. Little children going to school with their parents on their first school day look so clean and nice. They don't have any bags or books with them, as there is no need for these things on their first day at school. Pupils will get them later.

Classes usually begin at nine. At half past twelve or at one o'clock they usually have а lunch break at a good canteen. There is always plenty of nice food. Their classes are not formal. They often sit on the carpet on the floor and listen to understanding and caring teachers. They are involved in drawing or playing games.

Highly qualified and creative teachers usually read fairy-tales and stories to them or sometimes they tell them something interesting in friendly atmosphere. Good school grounds are fitted with everything necessary so pupils often play outdoors.

English children have classes five days a week. Classes are usually over at four o'clock and then the pupils go home or just use school bus service. Saturdays and Sundays are their days off.

Schools in England have names, not numbers. They often get the names after the place where they are (Green Hill School, Cedar Grove School) or after some famous or impor­tant people (St. Mary School).

At the age of five primary school children go to infant schools or infant classes where they spend two years till they are seven. In infant schools they spend much time out­doors though there are well-equipped gyms with good sport facilities.

They play different games, run and jump. They sing songs, dance and play a lot. Infant pupils learn how to use money in their classroom shop. They look at the pictures in interesting books, draw pictures in pencil, and colour them. They learn how to get on with other children. Their classes are informal, but they are trained to read, count and write a little too.

When children are seven they begin to attend junior schools, where they spend four years till they are eleven. So in England children spend six years in primary school. When pupils are eleven or a little older primary school is over!

Junior schools are real schools. The atmosphere is more formal in junior classes than in infant classes. Pupils sit in rows and follow a regular time­table. Their subjects are: English, Maths, History, Nature Study, Geography, Art, Music. In junior schools swimming, P.E. and Religion are on the timetable too.

Schoolchildren are also engaged in after-classes activities. They visit differ­ent museums and other famous and terrific places. To tell the truth they are always eager and willing to go on various outings. Some­times their teachers take them to London and other big cities. They walk and play a lot. In some primary schools children wear uniforms.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 2611