Hogwarts: English or Scottish? (was British Terms)

[David]

No: HPFGUIDX 72541

Kirstini patriotically wrote:

> Hogwarts is in Scotland. Our terms do finish in very early June. 
> Sorry about the one liner.

This is true, and quite a number of debates in the past (Hermione's 
age, anyone?) have spent forever with people bringing evidence from 
school systems around the world before someone has pointed out that 
Hogwarts is in Scotland.

However, I do wonder about which educational system JKR is drawing 
on for the framework of the school.  We have:

1 September starting date: consistent with English practice.  When 
does Scotland go back?

OWLs: apparently cognate with the now defunct 'O' (Ordinary) Level 
examinations, which were held in England - I can't recall if 
Scotland was part of that.  Anyone remember?

NEWTs: held at the same time as 'A' (Advanced) Level examinations 
(England) and Highers (Scotland).  Typically students take 3 or 
4 'A' levels and 6 to 8 (IIRC) Highers - do we have any canon 
evidence of the number of NEWTs taken?

Move from primary to secondary education at 11: consistent with 
both, I believe.

Main title of teaching staff, Professor: unusual in both countries.

Quill that puts names down at birth:  I think only Eton has anything 
comparable; its playing fields are, as is well known, in Belgium.

Any other clues?

David