Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Eğitim Yayınevi, İstanbul, 2024
The United Kingdom is a country located in Western Europe. Its geographical location leads to differences in many areas, including population densities, culture, economy, trade, climate types, arts and sports, and education systems. The UK has a surface area of approximately 130,395 km² and a population of approximately 67 million people (ONS, 2021), resulting in an average population density of 514 people per square kilometer.
Geography and climate are important factors that determine a country’s physical characteristics and natural environment. In the case of the United Kingdom, its geography encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, from rugged coastlines and rolling hills to expansive plains and mountainous regions. The country’s position in the North Atlantic Ocean influences its climate, characterized by mild temperatures, ample rainfall, and variable weather patterns throughout the year. This maritime climate fosters lush vegetation and supports diverse ecosystems across the UK, shaping its natural environment and influencing human activities such as agriculture, urban development, and conservation efforts. Understanding the intricate interplay between geography, climate, and the environment is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of the United Kingdom’s physical landscape and its impact on society and the economy.
The main factors affecting a country’s welfare, growth potential and international relations are its trade organizations and their impact on the national economy (Döğer & İsgender, 2015). These differences affect the competitive advantages between countries (Yayla, 2019), their trading partners, and their economic growth potential (Eriçok, 2020). The UK’s strong financial sector, innovative industries, and integration into global trade networks are key elements of its economic structure.
Culture, on the other hand, includes many elements such as a society’s values, beliefs, traditions and behavioral patterns and can be changed for better or worse. This change is sometimes rapid and sudden, sometimes slow and continuous. In these cultural changes, factors such as population growth, migration and climate changes also have an impact (Üçışık & Demirci, 2002: Ertürk & Sivritepe, 2017). Education is a powerful tool that creates opportunities for new perspectives in younger generations, not only through the curriculum, but also through the planning of schools as spaces of diversity and inclusion. Education systems evolve according to the needs of society and changing conditions, and this change determines the direction of future cultural and social changes (Ocak, 2004: Yılmaz & Altınkurt, 2011).
Education in the UK has undergone transformations throughout history and has created a modern education system. The country’s education system and curriculum aims to provide students with a wide range of knowledge and skills. In addition to academic disciplines, educational institutions that support students’ talents in the fields of arts, sports, cultural and professional development also offer the opportunity to develop creativity, critical thinking, communication skills and problem-solving skills (Erginer, 2006). The physical education system is comprehensive, with the aim of encouraging physical activity, teaching students healthy lifestyles and emphasizing the importance of sport. In schools, physical education classes and extra sports activities are usually offered within a rich program, thus contributing to both the physical and mental development of students. In this context, this book chapter has been written in order to reveal the transformations and developments in the field of education by emphasizing the importance of the country’s education system and curriculum.