Graduations, grades etc. Re:More UK education structure.

[Brian]

No: HPFGUIDX 188285

There's a very simply reason why there can't really be a graduation in 
British schools.

The exam results aren't received until mid July (sometimes even August 
though that's rare), so how can they have a graduation when nobody knows 
if they've passed anything yet?
This is why Hermione was anxiously waiting her OWL results even when 
Harry arrived at the burrow.

Also there is no all or nothing "pass"
Universities typically require a certain number of A-levels (think 
NEWTS) and each course will specifiy the number required and the grades 
required to gain admittance to THAT course in THAT university. 
By the way - grade is only for marks NOT for years in school, we don't 
have third grade, fifth grade, etc.  I'm amazed that US fanfic writers 
STILL refer to it even though in the HP books they call them first 
years, second years etc, up to seventh years.

On year 1 through 11 - I worked with school leavers right up to 2001 and 
I NEVER heard one of them refer to the "years" as year 1... 11 etc.,  
They used the old fifth year (GSCEs), upper and lower sixth (A-levels).

Whoever in the Ministry decided to impose the US system on us whould be 
taken out in a small boat and told to row to the USA!

The reason I get annoyed by US writers putting in a totally illogical 
graduation is that they are writing a story set in Britain.  Is it SO 
hard to expect an American writer to respect British culture when 
writing about Britain?
Now having had my grits for breakfast, I'm off to drive down the freeway 
to the train station where I'll get in a railroad car....  GRRR!!!

Brian