Great Britain / L'Angleterre / Großbritannien
Link to Prof. George MacDonald Ross, correspondant in GB
Philosophical and Religious Studies Subject Centre, Learning and Teaching Support Network, School of Philosophy
The UK is so different from the rest of Europe that it is difficult to answer the questions precisely. Neither philosophy nor ethics is compulsory at school. In some schools a little ethics might be taught outside the formal curriculum, but without any formal examination.
In a very few schools, including primary schools, some philosophy is taught using the methods of Lipman or Feuerstein; again, it is not examined.
In the last two years at school (age 16-18), students take 3 (or occasionally more) subjects at A-level, and no subject is compulsory. There is a philosophy A-level, but it is taken by only about 500 students (I think) each year. Rather more students take an A-level in Religion, which may include some philosophy of religion and ethics. There is a written examination at the end. From this year the system is changing, and students will be examined more frequently. It will also be possible to study philosophy for only one year, and receive a certificate which is worth half an A-level. The syllabus of the philosophy A-level is half the history of philosophy, and half the study of current philosophy. The emphasis is mainly on the English-language rather than the Continental tradition. Teaching methods are a mixture of exposition by the teacher, and discussion by the students. Textbooks are used.
All teachers in schools are trained, either through a 3-year degree programme in education, or a one-year postgraduate certificate after completing a degree in any subject. The training includes the teaching of subjects which are part of the compulsory school curriculum, but not optional subjects such as philosophy. Teachers who teach philosophy have usually studied philosophy at degree level before taking a postgraduate certificate in education.
As you can see, philosophy and ethics are almost non-existent as school subjects. Nearly all the philosophy that is taught is taught at university.