Education

The structure of the education system in the UK is a bit confusing to a parent moving from the US, it is slightly similar to the US system, but in many ways very different. For those moving with children, we have been told by the Education Agency that children are placed according to agegroup, and not tested for placement by skill level.

The National Curriculum says when things must be taught by describing broad ‘key stages’. The chart below shows the different key stages, and when national tests and tasks are taken (they are linked to information pages):

Age	Stage	Year	Tests
3-4	Foundation	Nursery
4-5		Reception
5-6	Key Stage 1	Year 1
6-7		Year 2	National tests and tasks in English and maths
7-8	Key Stage 2	Year 3
8-9		Year 4
9-10		Year 5
10-11		Year 6	National tests in English, maths and science
11-12	Key Stage 3	Year 7
12-13		Year 8
13-14		Year 9	National tests in English, maths and science
14-15	Key Stage 4	Year 10	Some children take GCSEs
15-16		Year 11	Most children take GCSEs, GNVQs or other national qualifications

Schools and nurseries are inspected regularly, the reported results of which are available from OFSTED online.

Further Education (FE) covers those types of education which go beyond what has been achieved in previous compulsory education but which are not at degree level (Higher Education). Typically Further Education includes A-levels, AS levels and certain vocational qualifications.

The largest group of people in further education are those aged between 16 and 19, to whom further education must be available if they want it. But many other people undertake full or part-time further education. Students aged between 16 and 19 can study at school or at a college providing further education. They can often remain at the school they have been attending or may transfer to a different school, for example if their current school doesn’t offer the range or combination of courses they wish to study. There are generally two types of college:

• Sixth form colleges are similar to schools and a student can transfer to one at the age of 16
• Colleges of further education usually offer a wider range of courses than sixth form colleges and provide education and training for student aged over 19 as well as for full time 16-19 year olds.

Colleges produce their own prospectuses, providing information on entry requirements and the purpose of courses. These prospectuses may also be available through your child’s schools and the local careers service. Some students aged 16 and over may be eligible for financial help through the Learner Support Funds. There are two types of fund:

• School Learner Support Funds - administered by the Local Education Authority for students in school 6th forms. Pupils in financial need can apply to their LEA.
• College Learner Support Funds - administered directly by further education colleges. Students should contact their college Student Support Officer for details.

Beyond college and sixth-form, is University, entry requirements to most degree courses are two A-levels at grade E or above, and some require more qualifications than this.

Applicants apply through a central clearinghouse, the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS), which all academic institutions offering degrees and higher education courses are members of. Applicants may apply for a maximum of 6 courses or institutions. Applications are completed in the last year of A-Levels and submitted no later than Dec. 15, earlier for some courses and Oxford or Cambridge. Those who get no offers are matched to courses with vacancies.