abilities. Until the 1960s most children took an examination at the end of primary school (the Eleven Plus): those who passed it suc-

cessfully went to grammar schools while those who did not went to secondary modern schools. A few areas especially in the south of

England still have selective exams at the age of eleven, but about 90 per cent of secondary schools in Britain are now comprehensive.

They take pupils without reference to ability or aptitude and provide a wide range of secondary education for all or most of the chil-

dren from their local area.

Special schools cater for a wide variety of handicap.

The Curriculum. The content of the secular curriculum in maintained schools in England and Wales is the responsibility of the

LEA and of the schools' governors. In practice, responsibility is largely devolved on head teachers and their staff. The government

has issued guidance on the curriculum for both primary and secondary school pupils. It considers that secondary pupils up to the age

of 16 should follow a broad curriculum including English, Mathematics and Science, some study of the humanities including History,

Religion and Physical education, and opportunities for both practical and aesthetic activities. Most pupils should also study a foreign

language. A programme of development projects has been introduced to provide a more effective education with a practical slant for

lower-attaining pupils who do not benefit fully from existing courses.

Independent Schools. Most parents choose to send their children to free state schools financed from public funds but an in-

creasing number of secondary pupils attend fee-paying independent schools outside the school system. Many of these are boarding

schools, which provide accommodation for pupils during term time. There are about 2,500 independent schools educating more than

500,000 pupils of all ages. They charge fees, varying from about £ 100 a term for day pupils at nursery age to £ 2,000 a term for

senior boarding pupils.

Independent schools for older pupils— from 11, 12 or 13 to 18/19— include nearly 500. They are sometimes confusingly referred

to as "public schools" 4 in England and Wales. Today the term is becoming less frequently used but refers to the mainly boys' schools (which are increasingly admitting girls).

Preparatory schools prepare children for the Common Entrance Examination to senior schools. The normal age range is from

seven plus to 11, 12 or 13, but many of the schools now have pre-preparatory departments for younger children.

Examinations. Since 1988, most sixteen-year-olds have taken the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in five, ten

or even fifteen subjects.

Pupils going on to higher education or professional training usually take 'A' level examinations in two or three subjects. These

require two more years of study after GCSE, either in the sixth form of a secondary school, or in a separate sixth-form college. Other

pupils may choose vocational subjects such as catering, tourism, secretarial or building skills. Subsidized courses in these subjects are