MOCK EXAM: FILLING THE GAPS

PAPER 1: FAMILY

In 2013 there were 18.2 million families in the UK. Of these, 12.3 million consisted of a married couple with or without children.

The number of opposite sex cohabiting couple families has increased significantly, from 2.2 million in 2003 to 2.9 million in 2013. The number of dependent children living in opposite sex cohabiting couple families rose from 1.4 million to 1.9 million over the same period.

There were nearly 1.9 million lone parents with dependent children in the UK in 2013, a figure which has grown steadily but not significantly from 1.8 million in 2003.

Most were still headed by a married couple (71%), although the proportion of cohabiting couple families had increased to 14%, from 9% 10 years earlier.

Although two children remains the most common family size, the average number of children per family in the UK has dropped - from 2.0 in 1971 to 1.8.

PAPER 1: EDUCATION

Free schools

Free schools are funded by the government but arent run by the local council. They have more control over how they do things.

Theyre all-ability schools, so cant use academic selection processes like a grammar school.

Free schools can:

set their own pay and conditions for staff

change the length of school terms and the school day

They dont have to follow the national curriculum.

Faith schools

Faith schools can be different kinds of schools, e.g. voluntary aided schools, free schools, academies etc., but are associated with a particular religion.

Faith schools are mostly run like other state schools. They have to follow the national curriculum except for religious studies, where they are free to only teach about their own religion. The admissions criteria and staffing policies may be different too, although anyone can apply for a place.

Academies

Academies are publicly funded independent schools.

Academies dont have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times. They still have to follow the same rules on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools.

Academies get money direct from the government, not the local council. Theyre run by an academy trust which employs the staff.

Some academies have sponsors such as businesses, universities, other schools, faith groups or voluntary groups. Sponsors are responsible for improving the performance of their schools.

Private schools

Private schools (also known as independent schools) charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils dont have to follow the national curriculum.

All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.