Baccalauréat, A-levels, Abitur, Bachillerato

– secondary schools and sixth form colleges, which provide a general
education
– further education colleges, which provide education with a strong
professional emphasis, even though many such colleges also provide a
general education
– tertiary colleges, which offer both professional and general education.
There is a sub-section of secondary schools known as “specialist schools” (these
comprise ten categories of establishment each offering a specialisation in the
arts, economics and business, engineering, the humanities, modern languages,
mathematics and information technology, music, sciences, sports and technology).
Establishments may be granted this status if they meet specific teaching and
financial conditions.
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NB : A new classification for establishments is planned as part of the five-year
plan for education reform. One of the aims is to ensure greater financial
independence. Each establishment may be granted the status of a
foundation, which makes it eligible for private financing and allows it to
pay its teaching staff more. At the same time, an increase in the
number of specialist schools is one of the government’s projects to raise
the level of schools; 2,000 are expected to exist by 2006. In addition, the
number of city academies ( * ) (schools intended to take over from failing
secondary schools in disadvantaged areas, in order to promote success at
school) should increase from 13 (in 2002) to 200 in the near future.
Establishments’ admission conditions
These further education establishments are free to devise their own
admission system. Pupils are usually admitted on the basis of a school file which
indicates their results and personal projects. Passing GCSEs is not an official
requirement, although most establishments require pupils to achieve above-average
marks in five GCSE subjects to be eligible to continue GCE A-level tuition.
III. ORGANISATION OF A-LEVELS
There is no specific official curriculum for the final cycle in secondary school ( ** ) .
The Department of Education entrusts the management of exams to external
independent organisations (awarding bodies) that sell their curriculums to
establishments, along with examination subjects, correction of papers and
results management. Establishments select the most suitable curriculums for
the level of their pupils from a list provided. The only compulsory subject is
religious education (in secondary schools, but not in sixth form colleges).
Definition of the A-level
The A-level, or General Certificate of Education Advanced-level examinations
(abbreviated to GCE A-levels), officially designates the “advanced” level achieved
(
* ) Schools established by private groups whose operating expenses are met by the State.
(
** ) Term used to describe education after the compulsory age of 16.