Organisation of the education system in the United Kingdom – Scotland 2009/2010 UK-SCT European Commission EURYBASE UNITED KINGDOM - Scotland 1. Political, Social and Economic Background plus Trends.................................................. 6 1.1. Historical Overview ..................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Main Executive and Legislative Bodies ...................................................................... 6 1.3. Religions .................................................................................................................... 15 1.4. Official and Minority Languages .............................................................................. 15 1.5. Demographic situation............................................................................................. 16 1.6. Economic Situation................................................................................................... 17 1.7. Statistics..................................................................................................................... 19 2. General Organisation of the Education System and Administration of Education....... 20 2.1. Historical Overview ................................................................................................... 20 2.2. Ongoing Debates and Future Developments ......................................................... 22 2.3. Fundamental Principles and Basic Legislation ........................................................ 22 2.4. General Structure and Defining Moments in Educational Guidance ..................... 36 2.5. Compulsory Education ............................................................................................. 37 2.6. General Administration ............................................................................................ 38 2.6.1. General Administration at National Level......................................................... 38 2.6.2. General Administration at Regional Level ........................................................ 40 2.6.3. General Administration at Local Level .............................................................. 40 2.6.4. Educational Institutions, Administration, Management .................................. 42 2.6.4.2. Post-School Education .................................................................................... 46 2.7. Internal and External Consultation .......................................................................... 48 2.7.1. Internal Consultation ......................................................................................... 48 2.7.2. Consultation involving Players in Society at large............................................ 53 2.8. Methods of Financing Education ............................................................................. 57 2.8.1. Financing of School Education.......................................................................... 57 2.8.2. Financing of Post-School Education and Training............................................ 58 2.9. Statistics..................................................................................................................... 60 3. Pre-School Education ...................................................................................................... 61 3.1. Historical Overview.............................................................................................. 62 3.2. Ongoing Debates and Future Developments ......................................................... 63 3.3. Specific Legislative Framework ................................................................................ 64 3.4. General Objectives.................................................................................................... 65 3.5. Geographical Accessibility........................................................................................ 65 3.6. Admission Requirements and Choice of Institution/Centre ................................... 67 3.7. Financial Support for Pupils’ Families ...................................................................... 67 3.8. Age Levels and Grouping of Children ...................................................................... 67 3.9. Organisation of Time ................................................................................................ 68 3.9.1. Organisation of the Year.................................................................................... 68 3.9.2. Weekly and Daily Timetable .............................................................................. 68 3.10. Curriculum, Types of Activity, Number of Hours ................................................... 68 3.11. Teaching Methods and Materials ........................................................................... 71 3.12. Evaluation of Children ............................................................................................ 71 3.13. Support Facilities .................................................................................................... 71 3.14. Private Sector Provision.......................................................................................... 72 3.15. Organisational Variations and Alternative Structures........................................... 72 3.16. Statistics................................................................................................................... 72 4. Primary Education............................................................................................................ 73 4.1. Historical Overview ................................................................................................... 73 1 EURYBASE UNITED KINGDOM - Scotland 4.2. Ongoing Debates and Future Developments ......................................................... 74 4.3. Specific Legislative Framework ................................................................................ 74 4.4. General Objectives.................................................................................................... 75 4.5. Geographical Accessibility........................................................................................ 75 4.6. Admission Requirements and Choice of School...................................................... 75 4.7. Financial Support for Pupils’ Families ...................................................................... 76 4.8. Age Levels and Grouping of Pupils .......................................................................... 76 4.9. Organisation of School Time .................................................................................... 77 4.9.1. Organisation of the School Year........................................................................ 77 4.9.2. Weekly and Daily Timetable .............................................................................. 77 4.10. Curriculum, Subjects, Number of Hours ................................................................ 77 4.11. Teaching Methods and Materials ........................................................................... 79 4.12. Pupil Assessment .................................................................................................... 81 4.13. Progression of Pupils .............................................................................................. 83 4.14. Certification............................................................................................................. 83 4.15. Educational Guidance............................................................................................. 83 4.16. Private Education.................................................................................................... 84 4.17. Organisational Variations and Alternative Structures........................................... 84 4.18. Statistics................................................................................................................... 84 5. Secondary and Post-Secondary non-Tertiary Education ............................................... 86 5.1. Historical Overview ................................................................................................... 87 5.2. Ongoing Debates and Future Developments ......................................................... 88 5.3. Specific Legislative Framework ................................................................................ 88 5.4. General Objectives.................................................................................................... 89 5.5. Types of Institution ................................................................................................... 89 5.6. Geographical Accessibility........................................................................................ 89 5.7. Admission Requirements and Choice of School...................................................... 90 5.8. Registration and/or Tuition Fees.............................................................................. 91 5.9. Financial Support for Pupils...................................................................................... 91 5.10. Age Levels and Grouping of Pupils ........................................................................ 91 5.11. Specialisation of Studies......................................................................................... 92 5.12. Organisation of School Time .................................................................................