Edited by Miss J.

NJ

Education system in UK involved in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The majority of children in the UK attend school from around 09.00 to between 15.00 and 16.00. In England and Wales, the school year generally runs from early September to the latter part of July. Schools normally operate five days a week (Monday to Friday). There is a movement to adopt a six-term school year. Several schools have already adopted this model. Schools in Northern Ireland typically operate for 200 days a year starting in early September and ending in June.

The curriculum for compulsory education in England and Wales is divided into four key stages (KS): KS1 (ages 5 to 7), KS2 (ages 7 to 11), KS3 (ages 11 to 14) and KS4 (14 to 16).

In Northern Ireland, the curriculum stages are the Foundation Stage (ages 4 to 6), KS1 (ages 6 to 8), KS3 (ages 11 to 14) and KS4 (14 to 16).

For children aged from three months to three years, provisions for preschool are largely in the private and voluntary sectors and parents pay fees. Spots are available in state maintained nursery schools and classes in primary schools, and in voluntary and private settings for children ages 3 to 5 years old. Free part-time nursery provision is now available for all three- and fouryear-olds in England and Wales, and for all children in their pre-school year in Northern Ireland whose parents want it. Children who are eligible for free provision are usually entitled to attend five two-and-a-half hour sessions per week for 38 weeks a year.

Primary school begins between the age of 4 and 5 for most students, depending on the childs birthday. Students generally remain at primary school for seven years. Below is a chart showing the age range and grade level for England/Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Age 5 to 11 (England/Wales) Age 4 to 11 (Northern Ireland) Age 5/6 to 11/12 (Scotland)

Age 11 to 16 (England/Wales/Northern Ireland) Age 11/12 to 15/16 (Scotland)

In Northern Ireland, secondary education begins at age 11. All students study a broad base of subjects which include Geography, English, Mathematics, Science, PE, Music and modern languages. Students at age 14 chose which subjects to continue to study for General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations. GCSEs mark the end of compulsory education in Northern Ireland. This chart illustrates the age range and secondary educational levels for England/Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Scottish students transfer to secondary schools at age 12, a year later than elsewhere in the UK. Many students take Scottish Qualifications Certificate qualifications. Students take Standard Grades in S4 Age (Age 15/16), Highers in S5 (16/17) and S6 (17/18). For those who remain at school for the final year, more highers and Advanced Highers in S6.

The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 1416 in secondary education in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland

The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, universally referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and by a small minority of institutions, typically private, in Scotland.
A levels are usually studied over a two year period and are widely recognised around the world, as well as being the qualification that is the most common method used by British Universities to determine an applicant's suitability for academic subjects. A levels are part of the tertiary Further Education (FE) process in the United Kingdom. A levels can also be studied by students in the last two years (12 and 13) in a Sixth Form at secondary school. This is an integrated part of a Secondary Education institution in many areas of the country, while others have separate Sixth Form Colleges. This is normally done as a direct continuation of the secondary education process and hence most students study for the qualification from age 16 to 18.

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