gedge

thanks, should i go away more often?

stevemich

I am sure there would be great wailing and gnashing of teeth if that was the case!

DrWho

There's a Japanese School up here behind the Northern Beaches somewhere... Can't remember exactly where but I know we go past it on the way to the kennels we use for the dogs...

Swerv-o

If you're concerned about Univerity entrance, as far as I am aware most UK universities will accept the Australian 'A' level equivalents - I know that at the univeristy I used to lecture at there was an comparison scheme, which translated into entry points - not just for Au, but for many countries.

As for general secondary education, then Australia doesn't really have much in the way of an equivalent to the GCSE that your children could take back with them if that was your plan. In this case it would probably be best to consider staying at least untiol they have completed their HSC equivs.

Alternatively, find a place that is offering the International Baccalauriate - This is also offered as an access way into Univeristy, and some of the independent schools (certainly in Sydney) do offer it as a study route. The American school I was guffing on about above offers that - and it is open to all people - not just americans - so it could well be worth enquiring.

S

Exile

There is even a Japanese school here in Perth. My girls go there, as their mum is Japanese and they are bilingual. The school is very good at teaching maths, too.

Exile

It may be difficult for you to comprehend, but not everybody comes here because they want to renounce all ties to the UK and embrace all things Australian. It was a perfectly reasonable question.

joho

I wonder why everyone is obsessed with education in Oz. If you are going to live long term here than whats the problem, you get Aussie qualifications which you need in Australia, problem solved. Asked my kids and they think its about the same as UK and unless they get english kids to sit the same tests as compable level children then who knows, you are always going to get the bright kids who excell and are bored both her and UK at least here they will let you jump years. Also I am happy for my kids to go to a school where I dont have to worry about stabbings or bullying. My kid was bullied very badly in his UK school, but is loving his school here so for me its worth it whatever. As long as they get the education to do what they need to do in life so what. How many of you use what you learnt at school in your chosen job not many I would guess. I have forgotten most of the maths I learnt and I was good at it, cant even help my kids anymore.

Jo

chels

The OP may not be planning to live in Australia long term, in which case it may be preferable to follow the one curriculum. It must be an issue families that move frequently (eg in the armed forces, diplomatic service etc) have to tackle?

gedge

exactly.. it can have a big impact on your child moving schools along with moving country, trying to simplify the process a little by having a similar curriculum where possible seems like a reasonable thought to me
no harm in asking is there
Q to the OP: have you done any research other than asking here?

Swerv-o

There does appear to be this prevailing opinion that education in Austrailia isn't very good. I'm not sure that I wholly buy into it- it just seems to be that the focus is on different things. I think there is a competitive obsession in the UK relating to childrens performance - you know the scene - middle class guardian reading parents sitting around a dinner table "Well, mine's six months old and his phonics are terrible."

I work with a girl and her husband, and they are pretty average parents, but without a doubt the ability of their 6 and 8 year old sons is certainly on a par if not exceeding that of the 11 yr olds I use to teach in Britain. There the emphasis is all on training kids to pass exams so that the school looks good. Here, it's something else. There is much more emphasis on developing kids as well rounded individuals with good skills to boot.

This does come up a lot, and I can see why Vash gets upset. I read this thread initially, and it really did look like the old debate of British system versus Australian system: I don't want my kids learning in the Aussie system.

S

Swerv-o

This is a good point. Australia really doesn't make it easy either - just moving state means a whole new education system for the kids to get their heads around. A national curriculum, or anational framework of objectives would be a great idea here.

S

chels

But I've got an idea that the school they send their children is nothing like the school where you used to teach? You have to compare like with like, and some schools are good, some are bad no matter whether they are in England or Australia. And I think you'll find that there is a similar heavy emphasis placed on children passing their HSE here as there is to passing exams in the UK. Unfortunately a lot of life choices are governed by how well (or otherwise) you do in these exams...

NickyC

There certainly is pressure to do well in the HSC here - it's the key to University entrance (just like 'A' levels), after all.

But that's the ONLY exam during the whole of the child's schooling where there's a need to perform well (and it's for their own benefit as well as their school's). In the UK, from my understanding, kids are tested all through their school years - purely so the school can score well in the league tables.

Swerv-o

Yes, that's true SATS, and to a certain extent GCSEs, are really just a govenment method for measuring school performance. Students don't learn about their subject - they learn how to pass (largely) multiple choice exams.

S

NKSK version 2

It is fair question and didn't really deserve the responses with the apparent subtext.

A British curriculumn school in Australia is a perfectly reasonable expectation. It would serve those Brits who are here on contract or who only see their move as temporary and those Brits who had reservations (rightly or wrongly) about the Australian system.

There is a Japanese (curriculum) school in Perth. There are British curriculum schools (and in some cases Australian curriculum schools) in just about every Asian country from Saudi Arabia to Singapore.

Why not in Australia?

(But of course - you need British curriculum (and Australian curriculum) schools in countries such as Singapore because the native system is so dodgy. How could anyone think that Australia's system may have some weaknesses?!)