Basically, the word "public" is very misleading in this context, as "public schools", in the British system, are anything but public - they are private in the sense that they are subject to fee paying by the parents, very often quite expensively.
Some of them are very famous and were the places of learning for many of the UK's political figures over the years, since the 14th/15th centuries onwards: Eton, Harrow, Charterhouse, Rugby, Marlborough, etc, to name just a few in England.
Here in Scotland we have our own, but known here as Independent schools (or colleges) - again fee paying, again quite exclusive, so therefore "public" without being public. Eg: Fettes College (here in Edinburgh) where, in real life, ex Prime Minister Tony Blair was educated, as was, in fiction, Ian Fleming's James Bond. Also Loretto Scoool (at Musselburgh, just east of Edinburgh) - famous for it's pipe band.
Up in Morayshire, in NE Scotland, there is Gordonstoun, an expensive Independent school for boys following a wee bit of a harsh routine in the hope of turning out rugged and tough individuals as well as academic geniuses! When I tell you that Charles, Prince of Wales, was a pupil at Gordonstoun I will leave you to judge for yourself the effectiveness of its policy and hard regime.
Private schools also cover preparatory schools (for the youngest bairns prior to entering the secondary stage of education) ) - privately funded.
The education system of Scotland differs from that of England and Wales. I've mentioned the private sector (the public/independent schools, privately funded). The public sector (ie not private - confused? You will be.....) is publicly funded - ie it's under the control of the State, and therefore the taxpayers.
The State system includes primary schools, prior to comprehensive schools and high schools (so named, although part of the State system).
In a nutshell, education is compulsory up to the age of 16 all over the UK, publicly funded.
Thereafter, in England and Wales, university education is not actually free - it is either paid for outright (by the parents, for the most part, naturally enough), or funded on a local authority grant system (ie via the taxpayers) and later, with a bit of luck and a favourable wind from the west or just a hope on a wing and a prayer, it is repaid, either in full, or more likely bit by bit, once the ex student is in full time employment and earning a salary in excess of a certain agreed figure.
Here in Scotland university education is entirely free, so the hassles of England and Wales don't apply. Although I am Scottish I went to an English university for specific reasons, and crazy as it sounds, I am still paying off the accrued costs! But there you go.....absolutely no regrets.....Leeds was fantastic and highly recommended all round.
In Scotland, education is compulsory from age 5 to 16. After 7 years of primary education pupils are transferred to secondary education, usually around the age of 12 years. Many pupils continue their education past compulsory schooling to further and higher education levels, however some pupils leave school at 16 years and undertake employment.
The 5 to 14 curriculum takes pupils through primary education and two years of secondary. As there is no statutory curriculum in Scotland, local authorities and headteachers have responsibility for the delivery and management of the curriculum, however guidelines are provided.
The Scottish Department for Education regulate the curriculum in primary schools under the 5 to 14 curriculum. There are no entry restrictions to secondary education in Scotland. Lower secondary education is divided into three stages. The first two years (S1 and S2) provide general education; third and fourth years (S3 and S4) are based on specialist and vocational education for all.
Pupils aged 14 to 16 years take Standard Grade courses. Standard Grade courses are part of a national program where assessments are regulated and marked by the SQU (Scottish Qualifications Authority).
These courses are offered at three levels and take two years to complete. The levels offered are credit; general and foundation, different levels are taken according to pupil ability. Options for Standard Grade courses are chosen at the end of the second year of secondary education. Standard grades are attained from continuous assessment within the school and by external examination.
Further education in Scotland is available through Higher and Advanced Higher education courses taken in fifth (S5) and sixth (S6) years. This is not compulsory. There are five levels to Higher and Advanced Higher education; these are access, intermediate 1, intermediate 2, higher and advanced higher. These are assessed internally and by external assessment from the SQA I mentioned above.
I'm not sure of the exact system operable in England (and Wales - always linked to England in most things, although since it was granted its own Assembly in Cardiff it is gradually developing it's own systems independent from England). I know that all medical prescriptions, for every citizen of Wales, regardless of personal circumstances, are issued free, whereas here in Scotland, and in England, they are free only to people over 60 and those in certain groups, such as the disabled, pregnant women and several other excluded groups.
Here in Scotland all residential care for people over retirement age is entirely free at the point of issue, unlike in England where it depends on the individual's income and assets. Down there, if it all totals below a certain level of money then, and only then, is it free.
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