BCC Quiz #3 Holidays & Education - PDF

**BCC Quiz \# 3 Holidays & Education** 1. **HOLIDAYS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM** - **Bank Holidays** - public holidays; have been recognized since 1871 \- Banks and many other businesses are closed for a day - a '***substitute day'*** - When the usual date of a bank or public holiday fal...

**BCC Quiz \# 3 Holidays & Education** 1. **HOLIDAYS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM** - **Bank Holidays** - public holidays; have been recognized since 1871 \- Banks and many other businesses are closed for a day - a '***substitute day'*** - When the usual date of a bank or public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a 'substitute day' is given normally the following Monday. - **Special holidays** - laws - change the dates of bank holidays, - declare other holidays (celebration of special occasions) - **the bank holiday treatment seems to be reserved mainly for state ceremonies, where royals in direct line for the throne are concerned.** - ***State Opening of Parliament*** - This ceremony marks the beginning of the new parliamentary year and features peers and bishops and a royal procession involving the State Coach. It occurs when Parliament reassembles after a general election, annually in November. - **NATIONAL DAYS IN THE UK** - **JANUARY:** - **New Year's Day** 1 January - **First Footing** - the first person to come into the house is very important; a bringer of good fortune for the coming year. This guest must be a dark-haired, healthy, handsome-looking young male who brings presents: a coin, bread, salt, coal, or a drink (usually whisky) which respectively represent financial prosperity, food, flavour, warmth, and good cheer. - **Burns\' Night** - a patriotic festival celebrated on **25 January -** commemorates the birthday of the Scottish poet **Robert Burns. T**he evening begins with traditional food with toasts, followed by patriotic speeches, dancing and singing of **\"Auld Lang Syne\"** - **FEBRUARY:**\ **St. Valentine's Day** - Celebrated on **February 14** - Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of **St. Valentine**. - **Pancake Day Hogmanay** is the Scottish name for **new year** celebrations. It begins with the arrival of the guests; they sit down with the family and eat dinner. (**Haggis**) - before midnight town folk gather in the square, and sing \"**AULD LANG SYNE\"** **THE UK's EDUCATION SYSTEM** The **school year** is divided into **three terms**: [**autumn term**: early September / Christmas] [**spring term**: early January / Easter] [**summer term**: end of April / mid-July.] The **education system** is divided into **four** stages: 1\. **Nursery education**- at the age of 3 (voluntary) **2. Primary education**, up to age eleven 1. infant schools for children aged five to seven 2. junior schools for those aged seven to eleven. 1. pre-preparatory schools for children aged up to seven 2. preparatory (\'prep\') schools for those aged seven to eleven. **3. Secondary education**, up to age sixteen - The u[sual age for pupils to transfer to secondary school is eleven in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and twelve in Scotland.] - When we talk about state schools [no form of examination has to be undertaken in order for them to do so]. - If a pupil wants to enter an independent secondary school, he/she has to take a Common Entrance Examination. ***The law requires children to attend primary and secondary school. Compulsory education is free of charge, but parents may spend money on educating their children privately if they want to.*** The term public school has an entirely different definition in the UK education system. **Public schools are perceived as the most exclusive and prestigious private schools in the UK**, as well-known examples include Eton College, Harrow School and Wellington College. [Most public schools are highly selective, as many contain boarding facilities for students as well.] Apart from public schools, the **other two forms of fee-paying schools** **in the UK include private schools and independent schools**. ***Differences between state & different types of non-state schools:*** ***A. state schools (državne škole)*** *-free of charge* *- funded by the government* *- must follow the national curriculum* *- larger classes which results in a poorer student/teacher ratio* *- State schools maintain a more standardized education system, including the national curriculum they follow and conditions for teachers such as employment standards and pay* *- Their academic results and facilities are usually less impressive than public schools* ***B. public schools/independent schools/ private schools (private škole)*** *- charge school fees (tuition)* *- provide better facilities and opportunities* *- Given their greater resources, private schools tend to offer more subjects for students to choose from* *- key objective of most private schools is to train high-achieving students to enter top universities* *- small class sizes, which provides students the chance to interact more with teachers and have their attention* *- offer a wider range of extra-curricular activities and puts effort into helping students build a professional network at an early age.* *- private schools tend to place an emphasis on offering more support for struggling students or students with learning difficulties.* 4\. **Tertiary education= higher education**, for those over the age of sixteen; university or college level. - include higher bachelor's degrees, (\'further\' education at university or college) - Postgraduate studies (master's degrees and doctorates)