A guide to sending your kids to school in the UK

Relocating your family to the UK can seem a bit daunting. Ensuring your kids find a school that is the right fit for them is important, but the UK school system is complex, and can be tricky to navigate as a first-timer. Luckily, we have a handy breakdown of the UK school system below. Read on so you can be fully prepared to make the best decision for your children.

How UK schools are structured

The UK school system is divided into three phases:

1. Primary: Children aged 5 to 11
2. Secondary: Children aged 11 to 16
3. Further: Children aged 16+ taking A-Levels, GNVQs, BTECs and other qualifications

It is compulsory for all children in the UK to attend school in the primary and secondary phases, while further education is optional. Students who wish to attend a college or university to further their studies after school will need to complete their further education.

*See our comprehensive infographics on how South African schools compare to UK schools.

State-funded vs fee-paying schools

Schools in the UK are divided into state-funded and fee-paying.

State-funded schools are mostly free of charge and are usually called primary or secondary schools. Grammar schools are state-funded secondary schools with specific admission criteria. They usually require all applicants to take a common entrance exam. Fee-paying private schools are generally called preparatory or senior schools.

Types of schools in the UK

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the most common types of schools in the UK:

Community schools	Run by the local council Not affiliated with business or religious groups
Voluntary schools	Run by the local council Free to be administrated as school sees fit
Grammar schools	Run by the local council, a foundation body or a trust Students selected on academic ability Applicants usually required to write an entrance exam
Faith schools	Run by a religious group The national curriculum is supplemented with religious studies Admission and staffing policies are determined independently
Free schools	Often set up by charities and community groups Non-profit institutions Not required to follow the national curriculum
State boarding schools	Academies and free schools Free education Fees charged for boarding
Academies	Run by a governing body, independent from the local council Not required to follow the national curriculum Funded by government not the local council
Private schools	Privately run Fees to attend Not required to follow the national curriculum
Special needs schools	Privately run Set up for children with special educational needs Follow a specialised curriculum

Our 1^st Contact team can sort you out with everything you and your family need to start your new lives in the UK. Give us a call on +44 (0) 20 7759 7536 or send us an email on 1stcontact@1sableinternational.com and one of our team members will be in touch.