The UK Education system

Over 90 per cent of children in the UK attend publicly funded schools. Most do not select by ability, but reflect the social composition of the area around them.

England and Wales

Every school is run by the head teacher and a board of governors representing parents, staff and the Local Education Authority. Governors can include other local people who are interested in the school.

Local Education Authorities (LEAs) are part of the local government system. They own school property, monitor their work and provide services to schools and parents.

Overall funding and policy is set by central government through the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). It determines the National Curriculum and the inspection system (run by Ofsted). Schools’ test and exam results and attendance figures are published annually in league tables. See www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables/ for last year’s performance ‘league’ tables.

Scotland has a different system with less government control.

Northern Ireland has selective secondary education and most of its schools are distinctively Protestant or Roman Catholic.

Since 1998, some powers have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Welsh Assembly.

Age ranges in schools

School attendance is compulsory from 5 to 16.

Primary

This sector is divided into:

Early years: Nursery (3+) and Reception (4 – 5) (not all schools have nurseries)
Key stage one, or Infant (5-7)
Key stage two, or Junior (7-11).

There are some schools catering only for Infants, some only for Juniors. There are also many private nurseries.

Secondary

Secondary schools have at least two age ranges within them:

Key stage 3 (11 – 14)
Key Stage 4 (14 – 16)

Some secondary schools have a sixth form for 16 to 18 year olds. Alternatively, these students can go to a local Further Education college or sixth form college.

See National Curriculum

Types of schools

Most schools are maintained schools. They are publicly funded and run by a head teacher with a board of governors.

Foundation schools are similar but their premises are usually owned by a religious or charitable foundation. The foundation may have influence over the appointment of teachers, governors and other staff, and determine the right of students to attend.

Comprehensive schools are state-funded secondary schools which take all children living locally regardless of talent or ability and educate them together.

Specialist schools and City Technology Colleges are also state-funded. They teach the National Curriculum but emphasise a particular subject, such as Technology or the Arts.

Special schools are different to specialist schools, and teach children with physical, educational or behavioural difficulties. Teaching groups are small, but working in this kind of school can be very challenging.

Independent schools charge fees and are privately owned by individuals, companies or trusts.

See National Curriculum

Academic year dates

The academic year in England and Wales runs from September to July and totals 195 days. There are three terms, each with one week’s half-term break.

autumn term – early September to Christmas with two weeks Christmas holiday
spring term – early January to Easter with two weeks Easter holiday
summer term – Easter to late July with six weeks summer holiday

A very few schools operate a five term year, with eight week long terms and more frequent, but shorter, holidays.

Familiarize yourself with the jargon of the UK education system

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