German schools don't wear school uniforms whereas almost all English schools do.
Although this is changing in certain states nowadays, German schools traditionally finished soon after or around lunchtime whereas English schools typically finish at around 3.30 although many private schools may not finish until around 5.30.
More often than not German pupils will have a classroom set aside just for their class (7a) whereas in many English secondary schools (yr.7-11/13, Kl.5-13) teachers are assigned their own classrooms and the pupils walk from one to another.
Foreign languages (especially English and very often Latin as well) are considered to be alot more important amongst pupils and teachers alike in German schools, whilst between just 1/4 and 1/3 of British schools have compulsory foreign language lessons.
In Germany they also have a three-tier school system in which the most academically able of students are put in the 'Gymnasium' and carry on their school career until they are 19 (in many states soon-to-be 18) after doing 'Abitur' (A-Levels) and the less able are put into either 'Haupt- or Realschule' and normally finish school at 16. In England, by comparison, formal education is compulsory up until the age of 16 when you finish your GCSEs, after which the pupil is given the choice as to what would be the best for his/ her future (often leading to a further years of qualifications like BTECs and A-Levels or apprentiships).
Although there is a large number of boarding and private schools in England (which enjoy great popularity), German private schools are very uncommon and often have a specific purpose (learning/ behavioral problems or, more often, if the child did not gotten the grades to get into the state Gymnasium, but the parents have the money for a better or longer education and the other two alternatives.
