Education

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Education

Let's start with the UK

Take a look at the following clip. We'll go through the different names and numbers again afterwards.

Some additions

• Secondary modern - vmbo
• Grammar school - VWO/ Gymnasium

• Comprehensive school - scholengemeenschap/ school met alle niveau's

Testing

- SATs (Standard Assessment Tasks) at the ages of 7, 11 and 14 (some take 11+ test)
- SATs in core subjects English, Mathemetics and Science (and Welsh in Wales).
- Age 16: pupils take GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in up to 10 subjects
   -> comparable to ‘eindexamen’ in Holland

- At the end of 6th form (bovenbouw VWO) A-levels (Advanced levels) are taken.
- 3 A-levels are required to enter university.
- If you want to take more subjects in 6th form, you can take AS-levels (Advanced Supplementary) for one year.

- Pupils who go to Vocational Training (MBO) take NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications)

Grading

• Course work/ tests: 7 grades from A – G (A is top)

• A-levels: 5 grades from A – E

• GCSE levels: grades from 10 – 4

School uniforms in primary school

School uniforms in secondary school

School meals

Extracurricular activities

Now, let's turn to the US

Take a look at the chart to see what grades American children go through.

Then watch the clip of a day in high school.

Difference

The biggest difference with the Dutch system is that everybody is in the same grade. There are no different levels in a grade.

Testing

The American equivalent of the British GCSE is called SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Testing Program).

Both tests are recognised by accredited universities to evaluate potential students.

Grading

• Grades go from A+  to F(ail)

• GPA: Grade Point Average (overall course average)
  

School meals

Extracurricular activities