Differences between the English and Spanish education systems Differences between the English and Spanish education systems AtBritish School of Vila-realwe follow the British curriculum from the Early Years up to the pre-university stage. Thedifferences between the English and Spanish educational systemsare significant. Beyond the language used, both educational programmes include different objectives and methods, oriented towards particular academic goals. Below, we analyse the differences between the English and Spanish education systems, and the application of the British education system at the British School of Vila-real. The differences between the English education system and the Spanish education system The differences between the two educational processes are evident. It is true that there are a number of points in common that can be homologated, present in other European educational systems, however, the educational variations make the Spanish and British educational processes very different. Active learning For the British education system, practice is essential for the learning process. In the Spanish education system, the emphasis is on memorisation and theoretical aspects, whereas the English education system has always been committed to demonstrating the knowledge acquired in practice. At British School of Vila-real, we focus on each student’s learning in a practical way to ensure that all our students understand the practical application of the content in the lessons. Independent learners Today, there are many educational methodologies that establish the pupil as the true protagonist of his or her own education. The British education system has always been very demanding in this respect, encouraging pupils’ autonomy, stimulating their creativity and challenging them to achieve their own goals. The British education system focus on developing skills and enhancing student learning for all students, giving them both the freedom to be creative and the support to achieve their full potential. Teamwork When we talk about the principles of the British education system, we cannot forget the importance of teamwork. As we indicated earlier, the autonomous work of the pupil is important, but there is also an important factor of teamwork. The British curriculum is based on the project approach, a model in which pupils are required to carry out work from start to finish, and mostly as part of a team. Students develop the skills of partnership and teamwork. In addition, as they have to rely on the continuous supervision of teachers, they must be in constant communication with them. The House system is common and very popular in British schools. Each pupil belongs to one of these houses and, for each special activity they carry out, a number of points are assigned to each house. At the end of the school year, each house’s points are tallied and the one with the highest score receives a prize. Teamwork and cooperation are among the objectives of the house system. Pupils also learn the importance of healthy competition. Small and personalised classes The number of students per class is another key feature of the British system, as personalised attention to each student is a priority. Lessons are adapted to the students’ own learning pace and they are able to take part in them intensively. The support teacher or teacher assistant is key to this, as their role is to help both teachers and students on a day-to-day basis in the classroom, adapting these reinforcement lessons to the student’s needs.
