Everything you need to know about sending your kids to school in the UK
by
Leanne Shrosbree
| May 18, 2017
How UK schools are structured
The UK school system is divided into three phases:
- Primary: Children aged 5 to 11
- Secondary: Children aged 11 to 16
- 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, and how Aussie 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 Kickstart 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 kickstart@1stcontact.com and one of our team members will be in touch.
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