Chapter 14 Excerpt

School's Out

Not only is the British school system quite different from the American system; the national systems within the UK (e.g. English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish) are also different.

And then there are the myriad idiosyncrasies and terminologies you'll come across, no matter what kind of school your kids attend while in the UK.   This chapter gives a summary of the British school system and the differences between the UK and the US. Did you know that a "public" school is actually fee-paying?   And what's a "prep" school?   I'll help translate for you when you're asked to help out at the "tuck shop" or organize the "jumble sale".

"It's worth noting that the terms "freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior" don't exist either in British high schools or colleges, so if you're explaining how old your kids are, state their ages.   The Brits will have no clue if you either name their grades or use U.S. terminology.   Since my kids are only in grade school, I still have to count on my fingers when given the grade of a high schooler instead of the age."