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Primary education

 

 

 

 

 

Primary education


 
 




Primary education is the first stage of compulsory educationCompulsory education

Compulsory education is education which children are required by law to receive and governments to provide....
. It is preceded by pre-school or nursery educationPreschool education

Preschool education describes the education of children prior to the age when they are deemed prepared for formal group scho...
 and is followed by secondary educationSecondary education

In most contemporary educational systems of the world, secondary education is a stage of formal education characterised by t...
. In North AmericaNorth America

North America is a continent in the Earth's northern hemisphere and almost fully in the western hemisphere....
 this stage of education is usually known as elementary education.

In most countries, it is compulsory for children to receive primary education, though in many jurisdictions it is permissible for parents to provide it. The transition to secondary schoolSecondary school Summary

Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of compulsory schooling, known ...
 or high schoolHigh school Summary

High school or secondary school is the name used for the last segment of compulsory secondary education in Australia, ...
 is somewhat arbitrary, but it generally occurs at about eleven or twelve years of age. Some educational systems have separate middle schoolMiddle school

Middle school covers a period of education that straddles primary education and secondary education, serving as a bridge bet...
s with the transition to the final stage of education taking place at around the age of fourteen.

The major goals of primary education are achieving basic literacyLiteracy

The traditional definition of literacy is the ability to use language–to read, write, listen, and speak....
 and numeracyNumeracy

Numeracy is a contraction of "numerical literacy", and refers to an ability to handle numbers and other mathematical concept...
 amongst all pupils, as well as establishing foundations in scienceScience

Science in the broadest sense refers to any system of knowledge attained by verifiable means....
, geographyGeography

Geography is the study of the Earth's features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the e...
, historyHIStory

HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I is a double-disc album by Michael Jackson released in 1995 by the Epic Records...
 and other social sciencesSocial sciences Summary

The social sciences are groups of academic disciplines that study the human aspects of the world....
. The relative priority of various areas, and the methods used to teach them, are an area of considerable political debate.

Typically, primary education is provided in schoolSchool

A school is an institution where students learn from teachers; the word school can also refer to a building where such l...
s, where the child will stay in steadily advancing classes until they complete it and move on to high school/secondary school. Children are usually placed in classes with one teacher who will be primarily responsible for their education and welfare for that year. This teacher may be assisted to varying degrees by specialist teachers in certain subject areas, often musicMusic

Music is an art, entertainment, or other human activity that involves organized and audible sounds and silence....
 or physical educationPhysical education

In most educational systems, physical education, also called physical training in less progressive settings, is a cour...
. The continuity with a single teacher and the opportunity to build up a close relationship with the class is a notable feature of the primary education system.

Traditionally, various forms of corporal punishmentCorporal punishment

Corporal punishment is the deliberate infliction of pain intended to correct behavior or to punish....
 have been an integral part of early education. Recently this practice has come under attack, and in many cases been outlawed, especially in Western countries.

Albania

Main article Education in AlbaniaEducation in Albania

The literacy rate in Albania for the total population, age 9 or older, is about 93%....


Australia

Main article Education in AustraliaEducation in Australia

Education in Australia is primarily regulated by the individual state governments, not the federal government....


Primary
  • Kindergarten: 4-5 year olds
  • Preparatory / Reception / Kindergarten (QLD, NSW,VIC and ACT): 5-6 year olds
  • Year 1: 6-7 year olds
  • Year 2: 7-8 year olds
  • Year 3: 8-9 year olds
  • Year 4: 9-10 year olds
  • Year 5: 10-11 year olds
  • Year 6: 11-12 year olds
  • Year 7: 12-13 year olds (WA, SA, QLD)

Canada

Main article Education in CanadaEducation in Canada

Education in Canada is provided, funded, and overseen by federal, provincial, and local governments....


Denmark


In Denmark, 9 years of primary school (
Folkeskole) are compulsory.

Kindergarten (optional): 6-7 years

  • 1st grade: 7-8 years
  • 2nd grade: 8-9 years
  • 3rd grade: 9-10 years
  • 4th grade: 10-11 years
  • 5th grade: 11-12 years
  • 6th grade: 12-13 years
  • 7th grade: 13-14 years
  • 8th grade: 14-15 years
  • 9th grade: 15-16 years


10th grade (optional): 16-17 years

France

Main article Education in FranceEducation in France

The French educational system is highly centralised, organised, and ramified....


  • Nursery:Petite Section
  • Reception:Moyenne Section
  • Year 1:Grande Section
  • Year 2:CP
  • Year 3:CE1
  • Year 4:CE2
  • Year 5:CM1
  • Year 6:CM2

Germany


Main article Education in GermanyEducation in Germany

The education system in Germany has a long tradition of compulsory state schools. ...



The first school for German students is called . It takes usually four years, the pupils are between six and ten years old. The education consists of learning to read, write, basic math and general knowledge. In some schools, a first foreign language is introduced, usually English.

Iran


Main article Education in IranEducation in Iran

This article is about education in Iran....


Israel


Main article Education in IsraelEducation in Israel

This article is about the education in Israel. ...


Republic of Ireland


Main article Education in the Republic of IrelandEducation in the Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland's education system is quite similar to that of most other western countries....



Primary school teaching in Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is the official description of the sovereign state which covers approximately five-sixths the islan...
 consists of 8 grades. These are:
  • Junior infants
  • Senior infants
  • 1st class
  • 2nd class
  • 3rd class
  • 4th class
  • 5th class
  • 6th class


Junior and Senior infants correspond to KindergartenKindergarten

Kindergarten is used in many parts of the world for the first stages of a child's classroom education....
.

The subjects mainly taught in primary school are:
  • English
  • Maths
  • Irish
  • History
  • Geography
  • Science
  • PE (Physical Education),
  • Art
  • SPHE (Social, Personal, Health Education),
  • Religion
  • CSPE (Civics, Social, Political Education)


The content of the Religion course taught depends on the management of the school. Many schools are managed and owned by the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
, with a lesser number belonging to the Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland

The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion, operating seamlessly across the border between t...
 and a handful run by other religions such as MuslimsIslam in Ireland

The documented history of Islam in Ireland dates to the 1950s....
, or to a new group called "Educate Together" which advocates a neutral approach to religion. Each school body decides on the emphasis of its religious instruction. In Catholic schools 1st and 6th class prepare children for Holy CommunionEucharist

The Eucharist or Communion or The Lord's Supper, is the rite that Christians perform in fulfillment of Jesus' in...
 and Confirmation respectively. In the Church of Ireland this preparation is done when the pupil is aged about 14 years, and is in secondary school.

Children may start at primary school at any age between three and six years of age. However only a small minority begins school at three, and many schools will not accept children until they are four. Children accepted into school at three often have to live within the parish where the school is located. Most children finish primary school at or around twelve years of age.

Japan


Main article Elementary schools in Japan


Morocco


Main article Education in MoroccoEducation in Morocco

Education in Morocco includes nine years of free and compulsory education, but attendance rates are low, especially among gi...


Myanmar


Main article Education in MyanmarEducation in Myanmar

The education system of Myanmar is operated by the Ministry of Education....


The Netherlands


Main article Education in the NetherlandsEducation in the Netherlands

Education in the Netherlands is characterized by division: education is oriented towards the needs and background of the pup...



Children in the Netherlands must be at least four years old to enter primary education. Almost all 4-year-olds (99.3%) in the Netherlands indeed attend primary school, although this is not compulsory until children reach the age of 5. Primary school is free of charge. In most schools, children are grouped by age in mixed ability classes, with one teacher for all subjects. Primary school consists of 8 groups (thus 8 years of scholing). During the first two years (kindergarten), children receive an average of 22 hours of education, during the last 6 years children receive an average of 25 hours per week. Schools are open 5 days a week, but children are free on Wednesday afternoon. At the end of primary school, in group 8, schools advice on secondary school choice. Most schools use a national test to support this advice, for instance the 'Citotoets', a test developed by the Central Institute for Test development.

group 1: age 4-5 (kindergarten)
group 2: age 5-6 (kindergarten)
group 3: age 6-7 (school curriculum starts with writing, reading, etc)
group 4: age 7-8
group 5: age 8-9
group 6: age 9-10
group 7: age 10-11
group 8: age 11-12 (last school year with advice on secondary school choice)

For more information:

New Zealand

Main article Education in New ZealandEducation in New Zealand

Education in New Zealand is nominally free for all primary, intermediate and secondary schooling....


Palestinian territories

Main article Education in the Palestinian territoriesEducation in the Palestinian territories

Education in Palestine is provided by the government, UNRWA, and private sources....


Poland

Main article Education in PolandEducation in Poland

Education in Poland starts at the age of 7 with 6 years of primary school....


United Kingdom


Main article Education in the United KingdomEducation in the United Kingdom

Education in the United Kingdom is covered in the following articles:...



Primary education is provided by state schools run by the government and by independentIndependent school (UK)

An independent school in the United Kingdom is a school that relies for all or most of its funding on non-governmental sourc...
 fee-paying schools. In the state system children are either educated in separate infantInfant school

An Infant school is a type of school which caters for young children, usually between the ages of 4 and 7....
 and junior schoolJunior school

A junior school is a type of school which caters for children, usually between the ages of 7 and 11....
s or in a combined primary school. Schools in the private sector providing primary education are generally known as preparatory schoolsPreparatory school (UK)

A preparatory school, or prep school in the United Kingdom, and previously in the British Empire and the Commonwealth ...
 or prep schools. In the private sector the transfer to the final stage of education often takes place at 14.

England


Main article Education in EnglandEducation in England Summary

Education in England is the responsibility of Department for Education and Skills at national level and, in the case of publ...



Children start school either in the year or the term in which they reach five depending upon the policy of the Local Education AuthorityLocal Education Authority

A Local Education Authority is the part of a council in England or Wales that is responsible for education within that counc...
. All state schools are obliged to follow a centralised National CurriculumFacts About National Curriculum

The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as a nationwide curriculum for primary and ...
. The primary school years are split into Key StageKey Stage

A Key Stage is a stage of the state education system in the UK setting the educational knowledge expected of students at var...
s:

  • Foundation StageFoundation Stage

    The Foundation Stage is the government label for education for pupils aged 3 to 5 in state schools in England and Wales....
     1 (in a pre-school/childcare environment)
    • Nursery, age 3 to 4


  • Foundation StageFoundation Stage

    The Foundation Stage is the government label for education for pupils aged 3 to 5 in state schools in England and Wales....
     2 (in an Infant or Primary school)
    • Reception, age 4 to 5


  • Key Stage 1Key Stage 1

    Key Stage 1 is the legal term for the two years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Ye...
     (in an Infant or Primary school)
    • Year 1, age 5 to 6
    • Year 2, age 6 to 7


  • Key Stage 2Key Stage 2

    Key Stage 2 is the legal term for the four years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Y...
     (in Junior or Primary school)
    • Year 3, age 7 to 8
    • Year 4, age 8 to 9
    • Year 5, age 9 to 10
    • Year 6, age 10 to 11


At the end of Key Stage 2 in Year 6 all children in state primary schools are required to take National Curriculum testsNational Curriculum assessment

National Curriculum assessments are a series of educational assessments carried out on children attending schools in England...
 in reading, writing, mathematics and science also called SATs. All state primary schools are under the jurisdiction of the Department for Children, Schools and FamiliesFacts About Department for Children, Schools and Families

The Department for Children, Schools and Families is a British government department created on 28 June 2007 following the ...
 and are required to receive regular inspections by the Office for Standards in EducationOffice for Standards in Education

The Office for Standards in Education is a non-ministerial government department, established in 1993 under the Education Ac...
 (OFSTED). Private schools are inspected by the Independent Schools InspectorateIndependent Schools Inspectorate

The Independent Schools Inspectorate is an organisation responsible for the inspection of indepdendent schools in England wh...
.

Northern Ireland


Main article Education in Northern IrelandEducation in Northern Ireland

Education in Northern Ireland differs slightly from systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom, though is more similar to ...



Children start school either in the year or the term in which they reach four. All state schools are obliged to follow a centralised National CurriculumNational Curriculum

The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as a nationwide curriculum for primary and ...
. The primary school years are split into Key StageKey Stage

A Key Stage is a stage of the state education system in the UK setting the educational knowledge expected of students at var...
s:

  • Primary education
    • Primary school
      • Foundation StageFoundation Stage

        The Foundation Stage is the government label for education for pupils aged 3 to 5 in state schools in England and Wales....
        • Primary 1, age 4 to 5
        • Primary 2, age 5 to 6
      • Key Stage 1Key Stage 1

        Key Stage 1 is the legal term for the two years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Ye...
        • Primary 3, age 6 to 7
        • Primary 4, age 7 to 8
      • Key Stage 2Key Stage 2

        Key Stage 2 is the legal term for the four years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Y...
        • Primary 5, age 8 to 9
        • Primary 6, age 9 to 10
        • Primary 7, age 10 to 11


At the end of Key Stage 2 in P7, all children are offered the voluntary Eleven PlusEleven plus

The Eleven Plus is an examination which was given to students in their last year of primary education in the United Kingdom ...
 (also called the transfer procedure) examinations, though the parents of thirty percent of children elect not to, and send their kids to secondary schools instead of grammar schoolsGrammar schools in the United Kingdom

A Grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in Britain....
.

All state primary schools are under the jurisdiction of the Department of EducationDepartment of Education (Northern Ireland)

Department of Education is a Government Department in the Northern Ireland Executive....
.

Wales


Main article Primary Education in WalesPrimary Education in Wales

Primary Education in Wales has a similar structure to Primary Education in England....


Scotland

Main article Education in ScotlandEducation in Scotland

Scotland has a long history of universal provision of public education, and the Scottish education system is distinctly diff...


United States


Main article Education in the United StatesEducation in the United States

Education in the United States is provided mainly by the government, with control and funding coming from three levels: fede...




In the US the first stage of compulsory education is generally known as elementary education. It takes place in elementary schoolElementary school

An elementary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or...
s which usually incorporate the first five grades and sometimes have a kindergartenKindergarten

Kindergarten is used in many parts of the world for the first stages of a child's classroom education....
. Elementary schools in the US are also known as grade schools or grammar schoolGrammar school

Grammar school can refer to various types of schools in different English-speaking countries. ...
s. In some schools, teachers utilize a "looping system" where the same teacher teaches the same group of students for two years. For example, a third-grade class may have one teacher who would teach those students for an entire year, then that teacher would teach fourth-grade the next year, and thereby teach the same class again. The teacher would then revert back to the third grade the following year to start the process all over with a different group of students.

Over the past few decades, schools in the USA have been testing various arrangements which break from the one-teacher, one-class mould. Multi-age programmes, where children in different grades (e.g. Kindergarten through to second gradeSecond grade

Second grade or Grade 2 is a year of education in the United States and other countries two years after kindergarten,...
) share the same classroom and teachers, is one increasingly popular alternative to traditional elementary instruction. An alternative is that children might have a main class and go to another teacher's room for one subject, such as science, while the science teacher's main class will go to the other teacher's room for another subject, such as social studies. This could be called a two-teacher, two-class mould, or a rotation, similar to the concept of teams in junior high schoolMiddle school

Middle school covers a period of education that straddles primary education and secondary education, serving as a bridge bet...
. Another method is to have the children have one set of classroom teachers in the first half of the year, and a different set of classroom teachers in the second half of the year.

See also

  • Educational stages
  • Primary school
  • Elementary schoolElementary school

    An elementary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or...




External links



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