The Schooling System in England

The way schooling is organised in England can be confusing for non-English students and their parents. For example, in England the year of study for each child is decided by his or her age, not by ability. Also, some examinations are taught over two complete academic years - which means that students should stay at the same school for those two years. Because of this, most good schools will not accept new students, for example, half way through the two-year General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) programme at the end of Year 10, when students are normally 15 years old.

The chart which follows is a guide to the education arrangements for young people in England. The chart also shows the special arrangements that are made at the International College for new students joining the English educational system.

English Schooling System (11-18)

Ages of Children*	National Curriculum Years of Study	State Education	National Examinations	Independent Education	International College

12	7	Start Secondary School		Upper Preparatory School	J
13	8		Key Stage 3		J

14	9			Senior School	9
14	9			Senior School
15	10		Key Stage 4	GCSE/IGCSE**	10
16	11	Finish Compulsory Education	GCSE/IGCSE**		11 or Express

17	12	Courses undertaken by students who wish to continue their education and have passed GCSEs (Usually 5+ at grades A*-C)	A/S-Advanced Level	A/S - Advanced Level or IB (International Baccalaureate Year 1)
18	13		A2 ('A') Level Advanced Level Year 2	A2 ('A') Level Advanced Level Year 2 or IB (International Baccalaureate Year 2)

* Students become this age during the academic year which runs from 1 September to

31 August.

**IGCSE examinations are the same level as GCSEs, but they are available internationally. Therefore, IGCSEs are known internationally, whereas GCSEs are the standard examination in the UK. The International College offers both these examinations.

NOTES: Students in Independent Schools are not required by Government to sit Key Stage 3 at the end of Year 9 but Independent Schools have a national examination at the end of Year 8 (Common Entrance) which many senior schools use as an entry examination.