The body responsible for state education in general up to the age of 19, in the United Kingdom is the Department for Children, Schools and Families—this body directly controls state schools in England.[132] Funded through taxation state-run schools are attended by approximately 93% of English schoolchildren. There are a minority of faith schools, mostly Church of England or Catholic Church ran. Between three and four is nursery school, four and eleven is primary school and then eleven to sixteen is secondary school with an option for a two year extension to attend sixth form college. Although most English secondary schools are comprehensive, there are selective intake grammar schools which can be entered by passing the eleven plus exam. Around 7% of English schoolchildren attend private schools which are funded by private sources. Standards are monitored by regular inspections of state-funded schools by the Office for Standards in Education and of private schools by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.[133]
After finishing compulsory education, pupils take a GCSE examination. Following this people may decide to continue with further education and attend a further education college. Students normally enter University from 18 onwards and study for an Academic Degree. There are more than 90 state funded universities in England which are monitored by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, students are generally entitled to student loans for maintenance.[note 5] The first degree offered to undergraduates is the Bachelor's degree, taking three years. Students are then eligible for a postgraduate degree which includes the Master's degree, taking one year and Doctorate degree taking three. England has a strong history of promoting education and its top institutions enjoy a respected reputation internationally. Perhaps the best know universities are Oxford University and Cambridge University. The King's School, Canterbury and The King's School, Rochester are the oldest schools in the English speaking world.[134] The most famous schools in England are now fee-paying institutions, including Winchester College, Eton College, St Paul's School, Rugby School and Harrow School.
