Education

Primary school is divided into infant school (pupils from 5 to 7 years old) and junior school (from 8 to 11 years old). In some areas there are middle schools instead of junior schools, which take pupils from 9 to 12 years old. Primary schools have from 50 to 200 pup Secondary schools are usually much larger than primary schools and most children - over 80 per cent - go to a comprehensive school at the age do not need to pass an exam to go to these schools. These schools are large. They have from 1,200 to 2,500 pupils. School lasts all day in the UK, so there is only one shift. In some areas there are grammar schools. Pupils must pass special exams to go to these schools. Some parents prefer private education. In England and Wales, private schools are called public schools. They are very expensive Only 5 per cent of the school population goes to public schools. Public schools are for pupils from 5 or 7 to 18 years old. Some public schools are day schools, but many public schools are boarding schools. Pupils live in the school and go home in the holidays