Education in the UK
Formal education in the UK is a structured process, starting at early years learning and continuing through to higher education at university. Some aspects of the educational system are mandatory, whereas others are optional. At present, children in the UK must start full-time education from the age of 5 and remain until the age of 16. After this age, they are no longer required to attend school per se but must remain in some other form of education or training, such as a vocational college or an apprenticeship. Many students remain at school until 18, as there are specific exams to be obtained that are required for a subsequent university placement. Here is a breakdown of the current process as it exists in the UK.
Early years education:
This stage is non-compulsory and caters to children aged from birth to 5 years old. In England, 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education per week for 38 weeks of the year. Early years education takes place in various settings, including state nursery schools, nursery classes, reception classes within primary schools, and private nurseries or childminders.
Primary education:
Primary education is compulsory for children from age 5 to 11. It is divided into Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). Children learn basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as foundational knowledge in science, mathematics, and other subjects. Children in England and Northern Ireland are assessed at the end of Key Stage 1 and 2.
Colfe’s School, South East London
Secondary education:
Secondary education is compulsory for children aged 11-16. It is divided into Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14) and Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16). Students pursue a broader curriculum including core subjects (English, maths, science) and optional subjects (humanities, languages, arts, vocational courses). At the end of Year 11, students typically take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams.
Further education:
This optional stage encompasses post-16 education, including A-levels exams, vocational qualifications, and apprenticeships. Further education is offered at schools as well as in colleges and adult education institutes. A-levels exams are the primary qualification required for a university placement.
Higher education:
This refers to study beyond further education, primarily in universities and Higher Education Institutes. The UK higher education system is recognised internationally. It includes undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Entry typically requires A-levels exams or equivalent qualifications, and applications are made through The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
Balliol College, Oxford
As an addendum to the above summary, here is a breakdown of the different types of school available in the UK. State education in the UK refers to government-funded schools that provide free education to children and are paid for by taxes. Every child is entitled to a place. These schools must generally follow the national curriculum, set by the Department of Education and are overseen by local authorities or directly by the government. There are several types of state-funded schools, including community schools, foundation and voluntary schools, academies, and free schools, each with varying degrees of independence from local authorities.
Types of schools:
State Schools: Government-funded, following the national curriculum.
Academies: Publicly funded but independent from local authorities.
Free Schools: Newly established, publicly funded schools.
Grammar Schools: Selective schools based on academic ability and an entrance exam. Publicly funded.
Independent Schools (Private Schools): Funded by fees and not required to follow the national curriculum.
Home education. Schooling at home is an option in the UK. Parents are responsible for the costs of education, including materials, trips, and examinations. They don't have to follow the National Curriculum.
Next let us consider what is exactly taught at school. The National Curriculum is a set of learning standards for England's local-authority-maintained schools. It outlines subjects and attainment targets across four key stages, ensuring children learn similar content and skills by age 16. It mandates core subjects like English, Maths, and Science at all key stages, while also including other foundation subjects such as Computing, Art, and Languages. While academies and independent schools don't have to follow it, the government is reviewing the framework to increase its relevance and ensure all state-funded schools teach the curriculum.
Department of Education, Westminster
Finally, here is a brief summary of the exams and tests that occur during a child’s formal education. The first significant test in the UK is a phonics screening check in Year 1. The UK school system's key public exams include SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) for primary school pupils at ages 7 and 11. GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education) are taken at age 16 in Year 11. Students in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) typically study for 8-10 GCSEs, with English Language, English Literature, Maths, and Science (either combined or separate) being compulsory subjects in most schools. While students can choose additional subjects, these core subjects are required. A-Levels (Advance Level), at age 18 in Year 12, are not mandatory and can be replaced with alternative vocational qualifications like BTECs and T-Levels. A-Levels are predominantly taken by students pursuing university higher education.
In the follow up blog post to this one, I recount my own experience of the UK education during the seventies and eighties. I shall try and highlight the differences between what were considered the educational norms in my day, compared to the current system. I will also explore a lot of the social and cultural changes that have happened over the forty years that have elapsed since I last attended any form of school. The most noticeable one being the notion that learning per se is a laudable undertaking, as opposed to specifically learning to meet the needs of the job market.
