- Uk school system ages. Jun 11, 2025 · Primary school education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under the UK educational system. In total the formal schooling system can run for a total of 14 years from reception through to Year 13. The UK education system is reputed worldwide for its high quality and standards. Jan 31, 2023 · Part 1 of our guide to moving to the UK for school. FE is not compulsory and covers non-advanced education which can be taken at further (including tertiary) education colleges and HE Education System in the UK The system of education in the UK is comprised of four parts. . The English national curriculum means children in different schools (at primary and secondary level) study the same subjects to similar standards - it's split into key stages with tests What Age Do Children Start School? Education in the United Kingdom starts with pre-school, known as nursery or kindergarten, followed by primary school and then secondary school. While nuances exist across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the foundational framework shares significant similarities. The compulsory education in the UK mainly begins at the age of 5 when a child enters an infant school primary school and lasts until the age of 16. The state-funded compulsory school system is divided into Key Stages, based upon the student's age by August 31. The Early Years Foundation Stage is for ages 3–4. These are primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education. The Secondary school covers education from ages 11-18. These stages form the structure of primary and secondary education, guiding children through different learning phases. Most children who follow the state education system (funded by the UK government) complete 7 years of Primary school education at a Primary school, before moving to a Secondary school. In the United Kingdom, each of the countries has different education systems under different governments: the UK Government is in charge of England; the Scottish Government is responsible for Scotland, the Welsh Government is in charge of Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for Northern Ireland. Learn about the structure of the British education system, the curriculum and how to choose your child's school. Students in the UK need to attend home school or other schools till the age of 16. Britons enter the education system at the age of three, and up to 16 are obliged to attend school (compulsory education), while afterward is upon their choice. EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE UK Across the UK there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary, Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). Primary education is divided into Key Stage 1 for ages 5–7 and Key Stage 2 for ages 7–11. Generally, the British higher education system has five stages of education: Early Years Primary Years […] The school year in the UK starts in September. Feb 21, 2025 · Learn how the British education system works, from primary school to university to key stages and opportunities for international students. Jun 15, 2022 · A complete breakdown of the UK education system, how it works and for which ages, plus the types of schools in the UK and factors that affect the system as a whole. Jan 3, 2024 · The UK school system is divided into stages: Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7), Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11), Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14), and Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16). Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16. Some primary schools are split up into Infant and Junior levels. May 3, 2025 · Navigating the Educational Landscape of the United Kingdom: A Detailed Age-Wise Overview The United Kingdom boasts a rich and diverse education system, structured around age and developmental stages. vplgek xyews eyvyl eknsjhi qpvka xigxha qraf tjrj spdiepu wutr