Cyprus Expat | Article: Moving To The UK

Moving To The UK - Educational Systems

A brief summary for Expats on the Education System to expect when Moving To The UK

All children in the UK aged 5–16 must receive a full-time education. It is the duty of the local council (the local authority) to provide this. Children who are refugees or seeking asylum are entitled to a full-time education, just like all other children in Britain. Most children in Britain go to a state school. Some go to private schools, where their parents pay the fees. A small number of children have permission from the local authority to be educated at home.

Ages 5–11 primary school school years 1–6

Ages 11–16 secondary school school years 7–11

Ages 16–18/19 secondary school, or school years 12–13

sixth form college, or

college of further education.

Ages 18/19+ college of further education,

or university

The school year in Britain begins in September, and is split into either three or six terms. Each term is about seven or thirteen weeks long. Schools close for at least two weeks at Christmas and for two weeks at Easter, in March or April. There are short breaks of two to five days in the middle of each term. The school year ends during June in Scotland and July elsewhere in the UK, when schools close for about six weeks.

Pupils in England and Wales aged 11 and 14, are tested in English, maths and science. These tests are known as SATs. At the age of 16, most young people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland take exams in all their main subjects. These are called GCSEs, and are important qualifications for employment and further education. After this, older students may take many other qualifications, which are linked either to school subjects (AS and A2 levels,) or to other skills and careers. Examinations in Scotland are different. Most pupils aged 16 take Standard Grade examinations in five or more subjects. After this, students can take National Qualifications for one or two years, either at school or college. These are tested at different levels, known as Access, Intermediate and Higher.

Students who want to leave school at 16 have a choice of finding work or training, or a place at college. However, your right to any of these will depend on your immigration status.

Help in deciding what is the best thing to do is available from school and through the Connexions Service. This service gives young people advice on a range of issues such as education, work and training – but also other areas, such as housing, health and money. Advice from the Connexions Service is available at schools and colleges and from their local offices.

Further education refers to education at school or college for young people aged 16 and over. Your local further education college will offer a wide range of courses for students aged 16–19. Some will be for students hoping to improve their examination grades or to go to university. Others will be for those who want to train for a career. Sometimes these courses are full-time. Some are part-time, and allow you to work as well. Although you may be able to find a course you wish to follow, you will have to meet certain entry requirements before you can start. You will have to show that you:

• have the language skills

• have the right qualifications

• can pay the fees and support yourself whilst studying.

Text last edited on: 01/2012

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Updated 07 May 2012

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