The UK Education System
Education in the UK is divided into: primary, secondary, further and higher education. All children aged five to sixteen have to attend school and follow the four compulsory Key Stages of the National Curriculum of England and Wales.
Pre-School Education
Many children between the ages of 2 and 5 attend pre-school or nursery school. The current government is working with Local Authorities to provide a network of children’s centres which will complement existing nursery schools.
Primary
In the term after a child’s fifth birthday they will begin primary education. The length of primary education is normally 7 years and concludes at age 11 when the child will then move into Secondary education. Primary education is divided into infants – ages 5 to 7 – and then juniors – ages 7 to 11. It is normal for both infants and juniors to be educated at the one school although in some instances there can be a separate infant’s school and junior school.
UK primary school education is compulsory from age 5. Children enter the Reception Class aged 4 in the academic year in which they will reach the age of 5.
UK primary school education is compulsory from age 5...
The remaining years are called Year 1, Year 2, etc, up to year 6. It is common for a single Primary teacher to deliver all subjects. Primary school education may be divided into Infant (ages 4-7) and Junior (ages 7-11) school. Pupils sit Key Stage 1 Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) at the end of Year 2 with Key Stage 2 SATs taken at the end of Year 6.
Middle
Some Local Authorities in the UK operate a three-tier system. Pupils attend lower (age 5-9), middle (age 9-13) and upper school (age 13-16).
Secondary
In the UK children attend secondary education in the form of a comprehensive school, grammar school or an independent (fee-paying) school. All of these schools may be single sex or co-educational, however the vast majority of comprehensive schools are co-educational.
The typical School day runs from 08.30am to 3.30pm, though schools have the flexibility to set their own hours...
The typical School day runs from 08.30am to 3.30pm, though schools have the flexibility to set their own hours. Children go to school from Monday to Friday for three terms and have thirteen weeks of holiday which are Easter, Christmas and the summer, with a mid term break in each of the three terms (Half Term).
All students between the age of fourteen and sixteen in the UK sit the General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations...
All students between the age of fourteen and sixteen in the UK sit the General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations. Students who do the General Certificate of Secondary Education must study English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, and Religious Education. Schools then offer other subjects that the students can choose to do. Student progresses to the next year level and do not repeat years. Secondary school students may also study vocational subjects such as hairdressing, construction or leisure and tourism.
Further Education
Students of any age may choose to attend Further Education Colleges to further their post-secondary school education. Students may choose Vocational Qualifications as an alternative to A levels.
Types of School
Community - The local authority owns the land and buildings and is responsible for employment of staff and the pupil admission policy.
Foundation - Run by a school governing body with responsibility for the employing of staff and the admissions policy of the school. Ownership of land and buildings may be through the governing body or a charitable foundation.
Specialist - Specialise in the following areas: Information Technology, the Arts, Languages and Sports. National Curriculum requirements are maintained but with a special focus on these areas.
Grammar Schools - Some Local authorities run a selective secondary school system with grammar schools. Pupils sit an examination at the end of Primary school to determine their eligibility to enter a grammar school.
Voluntary-aided - The majority of voluntary-aided schools are church schools with the land and buildings owned by a charitable foundation. School governing body has responsibility for employing staff and admissions policy.
Voluntary-controlled - Similar to voluntary-aided schools but the local authority is responsible for the staff employment and admissions.
Faith Schools - Operate under an agreement of parents and local community with local authority approval. Faith schools teach religious subjects in accordance with their religious beliefs.
Special Needs Schools
Learning difficulties are usually described as moderate, severe, profound and multiple or specific.
Moderate Learning Difficulties
Children who have difficulties in all areas of learning and whose rate of progress slow. They often require additional support in mainstream education in the form of a classroom assistant. A special school environment often provides limited class sizes to cater for the additional needs of the individual.
Severe Learning Difficulties
Children who demonstrate a delay in all areas of development: physical, intellectual and social. Children will have special provision from an early age in the form of a special school.
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties
These difficulties are profound and combine physical, sensory and
intellectual impairments. Children will have special provision from an early age in the form of a special school.
Specific Learning Difficulties
Children who despite normal teaching experiences, fail to make the expected progress in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. These children may attend mainstream or special schools.
Hearing Impairment
Children may be integrated in to mainstream schools or attend a specialist facility depending on their level of impairment.
Visual Impairment
Children may be integrated in to mainstream schools or attend a specialist facility depending on their level of impairment.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Autism affects the development of a child’s social, communication and imagination skills. The condition can vary from mild to severe in intensity. For this reason, the phrase “Autistic Spectrum Disorder” is commonly used.
Many children on the autistic spectrum are educated in their local school.
Those more severely affected may be placed in a special school catering specifically to their additional needs.