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And now for the real; kicker, GP - it's not like that all over Britain!
I went through a Scottish education, which bears similarities, but many differences. And it just changed.
When I did it, at the end of 2nd year (age 13/14) you chose a set of subjects to study for Standard Grade (equivalent of GCSE). There were usually 7 or 8, but it depended on school. Some went as high as 10. Of those, you had to do English, Maths, a science, a modern language and a humanity. The rest were free choice. These you studied for 2 years, then sat exams at the end of 4th year (age 15/16) to give your course grade, in combination with some form of coursework (usually. Not common in languages). You were awarded (so some unknown reason) grades 1,2,3,4,5,6, or 7. 7 is generally counted as "Fail", but I think is actually "Did so hugely badly we don't want to say", while the mythical 8 is a fail. Grades 1,2 are called Credit, 3,4 General, 5,6 Foundation. Usually you sat a General paper (grades 3 and 4 available), and then a Credit or Foundation depending on whether your teachers considered you clever or thick (I suspect you could decide yourself, but since the courses were significantly different according to which level of class you were in, it was usually a good idea to go the way suggested).
Then, you chose 5 (or sometimes 6) subjects to do at 5th year (ends 16/17). These would be Higher Grades (sort of AS level, but often considered A-Levels by Scottish Universities), or Scotvec Modules for the not-so-bright. Again, you had to take English and Maths, the other 3 were free choice. For Highers there was, as before, a final exam and usually a coursework element. These would combine to give a grade of A, B, C, D or F. E was technically possible, but practically impossible. I think it equated to "turned up, knew name, had some coursework but it wasn't very good." Every higher candidate sat the same paper. Modules had no final exam, they were based solely on coursework. I don't know the grading system, I didn't take any.
Then for the 6th and Final year (if your still around) (ends age 17/18), you choose a further set of subjects without any restrictions. You now have the option of taking Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (or CSYS or SYS - roughly A-Level standard, quite often a bit higher, although no-one took any notice of it), more Highers, more Modules. It was generally reckoned that 4 SYS was hard, 5 was very difficult and anything above 5 was sheer folly. These worked exactly like slightly harder Highers. The real kicker is that 5 A grade Highers will get you an unconditional offer to any Scottish uni to do any course except medicine, vet, and law.
And then, just as I leave, they change the system and I haven't a clue how it works now.
I went through a Scottish education, which bears similarities, but many differences. And it just changed.
When I did it, at the end of 2nd year (age 13/14) you chose a set of subjects to study for Standard Grade (equivalent of GCSE). There were usually 7 or 8, but it depended on school. Some went as high as 10. Of those, you had to do English, Maths, a science, a modern language and a humanity. The rest were free choice. These you studied for 2 years, then sat exams at the end of 4th year (age 15/16) to give your course grade, in combination with some form of coursework (usually. Not common in languages). You were awarded (so some unknown reason) grades 1,2,3,4,5,6, or 7. 7 is generally counted as "Fail", but I think is actually "Did so hugely badly we don't want to say", while the mythical 8 is a fail. Grades 1,2 are called Credit, 3,4 General, 5,6 Foundation. Usually you sat a General paper (grades 3 and 4 available), and then a Credit or Foundation depending on whether your teachers considered you clever or thick (I suspect you could decide yourself, but since the courses were significantly different according to which level of class you were in, it was usually a good idea to go the way suggested).
Then, you chose 5 (or sometimes 6) subjects to do at 5th year (ends 16/17). These would be Higher Grades (sort of AS level, but often considered A-Levels by Scottish Universities), or Scotvec Modules for the not-so-bright. Again, you had to take English and Maths, the other 3 were free choice. For Highers there was, as before, a final exam and usually a coursework element. These would combine to give a grade of A, B, C, D or F. E was technically possible, but practically impossible. I think it equated to "turned up, knew name, had some coursework but it wasn't very good." Every higher candidate sat the same paper. Modules had no final exam, they were based solely on coursework. I don't know the grading system, I didn't take any.
Then for the 6th and Final year (if your still around) (ends age 17/18), you choose a further set of subjects without any restrictions. You now have the option of taking Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (or CSYS or SYS - roughly A-Level standard, quite often a bit higher, although no-one took any notice of it), more Highers, more Modules. It was generally reckoned that 4 SYS was hard, 5 was very difficult and anything above 5 was sheer folly. These worked exactly like slightly harder Highers. The real kicker is that 5 A grade Highers will get you an unconditional offer to any Scottish uni to do any course except medicine, vet, and law.
And then, just as I leave, they change the system and I haven't a clue how it works now.
) your spelling is simply atrocious! <--- you are 8 all over again!
) - I guess if you have access to the IP addresses you would find three (mine at home, mine at work and SG(2)'s), but that would prove nothing -- I guess you will jsut (sic) have to trsut (sic) us 
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