Hornbill the browing version page 50- what is the meaning of "lower fifth" (or fifth grade)? He is a 16 year boy so he cant be in 5th class??
Dear student
Lower fifth and upper fifth are old British methods of naming high school levels. Once a student reached secondary school, he would have to go through the following years
Year 8 or 3rd Form at age 12 years
Year 9 or Lower 4th at age 13 years
Year 10 or Upper 4th at age 14 years
Year 11 or Lower 5th: at age 15 years
Year 12 or Upper 5th: at age 16 years
This has changed several times. These days, secondary school in Britain is from years 7-11, and both year 12 and year 13 are collectively referred to as sixth form.
Regards
Lower fifth and upper fifth are old British methods of naming high school levels. Once a student reached secondary school, he would have to go through the following years
Year 8 or 3rd Form at age 12 years
Year 9 or Lower 4th at age 13 years
Year 10 or Upper 4th at age 14 years
Year 11 or Lower 5th: at age 15 years
Year 12 or Upper 5th: at age 16 years
This has changed several times. These days, secondary school in Britain is from years 7-11, and both year 12 and year 13 are collectively referred to as sixth form.
Regards