Education in England facts for kids

Education in England is managed by the Department for Education in the United Kingdom. Local councils help carry out the rules for public education and state-funded schools in their areas.

In England, families can also choose independent schools (some called public schools) or educate their children at home. State-funded schools can be selective grammar schools or non-selective comprehensive schools. Comprehensive schools get their funding in different ways, including free schools and academies. Free schools, including most religious schools, and academies have more freedom with what they teach. All schools are checked and inspected by Ofsted, which stands for the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills.

The state education system is split into Key Stages based on age:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 3–4)
• Primary education (ages 5 to 10), split into Key Stage 1 (ages 5–6) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7–10)
• Secondary education (ages 11 to 15), split into Key Stage 3 (ages 11–13) and Key Stage 4 (ages 14–15)
• Key Stage 5 is for students aged 16–17
• tertiary education is for ages 18 and older

At the end of Year 11 (around age 15 or 16), students usually take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. These are like finishing high school in many other countries.

Even though education is required until age 18, schooling is only required until age 16. This means after 16, students can choose different paths. They might continue school in a "sixth form" or "college" to study for A-level qualifications. They can also choose vocational courses like Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) or International Baccalaureate (IB). Other options include work-based apprenticeships or traineeships.

Higher education usually starts with a three-year bachelor's degree. After that, students can get master's degrees or doctoral degrees. Tuition fees for first degrees at public universities are about £9,250 per year for students from England, Wales, and the European Union.

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) checks how well 15-year-olds in different countries do in reading, maths, and science. The UK ranks 13th in the world, with an average score of 503.7, which is higher than the average score for countries in the OECD.

Understanding School Stages in England

There are different names for schools and stages of learning in England. Grammar schools are special schools that select students from age 11 onwards, usually based on an exam. Most are state-funded, but some independent (fee-paying) grammar schools also exist. Nursery schools often take children from age 3.

State-Funded Schools: Learning for Everyone

About 93% of children in England go to state-funded schools, which are free. These schools can ask for small payments for trips or activities like swimming.

All schools must have a website. They need to share information about how they are run, their money, what they teach, and how they keep students safe. Ofsted checks these websites.

A primary school in England.

There are several types of state-funded schools:

• Academy schools: These schools are funded by the government but are not controlled by the local council. They have more freedom with their curriculum. Some academies can choose students based on certain skills, like grammar schools.
• Community schools: The local council runs these schools. They employ the staff, own the buildings, and handle admissions.
• Free schools: These are new schools started by parents, teachers, or charities. They are funded by taxpayers, are free to attend, and do not select students based on academic ability. They are also not controlled by the local council.
• Foundation schools: The school's governing body employs the staff and handles admissions. A charity or the governing body owns the land and buildings.
• Voluntary Aided schools: These schools are often linked to religious groups, like the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church. The religious group helps pay for the school and appoints most of the governors. The governing body employs staff and handles admissions.
• Voluntary Controlled schools: These are also usually faith schools, but the local council employs the staff and handles admissions.
• University technical colleges (UTCs): These are secondary schools for students aged 14 and up. They are linked to a university and local businesses. They offer technical courses alongside the regular National Curriculum. UTCs aim to prepare students for higher education or skilled jobs.

There are also a few City Technology Colleges and state-funded boarding schools.

Most state-funded primary schools are local schools for children aged 4 to 11. Some are just for infants (ages 4–7) or juniors (ages 7–11). A few areas have first schools (ages 4–8) and middle schools (ages 8 or 9 to 12 or 13).

Most English secondary schools are comprehensive, meaning they don't have an entry exam. Many secondary schools are specialist schools, getting extra money to focus on subjects like arts, science, or languages. In some areas, children can go to a grammar school if they pass the eleven plus exam. Many state-funded schools are faith schools, connected to religious groups.

All state-funded schools are regularly checked by Ofsted. Ofsted publishes reports on how good the education is, how students learn, how the school is managed, and how safe students are. If a school is not doing well, Ofsted can take special measures to improve it.

Independent Schools: Private Choices

About 7% of students in England go to privately run, fee-charging independent schools. Some independent schools for older students (13–18) are called 'public schools', and for younger students (8–13) they are called 'prep schools'.

Some independent schools offer scholarships for talented students or bursaries to help students from less wealthy families attend. Independent schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum. Their teachers are not required to have official teaching qualifications by law. The Independent Schools Inspectorate regularly checks these schools.

What Do Students Learn? School Subjects

State-funded schools must teach thirteen subjects. The three main subjects are English, Mathematics, and Science.

2014
Subject	Key Stage 1 (age 5–7)	Key Stage 2 (age 7–11)	Key Stage 3 (age 11–14)	Key Stage 4 (age 14–16)
English
Mathematics
Science
Art & Design
Citizenship
Computing
Design & Technology
Languages
Geography
History
Music
Physical Education

All schools must also teach religious education at all key stages.

At Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16), students can also choose to study subjects like arts, design and technology, humanities, business, and modern languages.

The National Curriculum: What and Why

The National Curriculum helps students learn important knowledge to become good citizens. It introduces them to great ideas and helps them appreciate human creativity. It explains what subjects are taught and what students should achieve in each one.

These goals help schools provide a balanced education. They aim to develop students' spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, and physical abilities. This also prepares students for life after school.

Early Years and Foundation Stage

In Early Years (ages 3-4), learning focuses on:

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social, and emotional development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive arts and design

In foundation (ages 4-5), the curriculum is similar, focusing on:

• Personal, social, and emotional development
• Communication, language, and literacy
• Mathematical development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical development
• Creative development

Primary School Experience

In primary school, children usually stay in the same class all year. They might move classrooms for English and Maths. Schools often name classrooms after animals, famous people, or countries.

English, maths, and science are usually taught in the mornings. Subjects like art, history, geography, and music are often in the afternoons. Schools also cover topics like healthy eating, nature, and world events.

Every primary school has a library, assembly hall, computers, and a playground. The school provides exercise books, novels, and pens.

Students take National Curriculum assessments (called Sats) at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Teachers also assess students in reading, writing, maths, and science.

Secondary School Experience

In secondary school, students have a tutor group but go to different classes for different subjects. They follow a timetable that might change each week.

Morning and late afternoon lessons are often for citizenship studies. The rest of the day is for subjects like English, maths, science (biology, chemistry, physics), history, geography, arts, languages (French, German, Spanish), business, and PE.

In the last two years of secondary school, students choose subjects based on their interests or future career plans. English, maths, science, citizenship, religious studies, computing, and PE remain core subjects. Students can choose from many other subjects like engineering or photography.

England allows children to focus on their favorite subjects earlier than in some other countries. This can help students feel more engaged in their learning.

Schools provide planners with learning resources, school rules, and timetables. Every secondary school has a library, assembly hall, playground, dining hall, computers, and a sports hall. Some have a theatre. Schools provide exercise books, novels, and pens, but students are expected to bring basic stationery.

School Meals and Uniforms

School Dinners

In Key Stage 1 and foundation, all children in government-funded schools get free school meals and fruit. For older students (Key Stage 2, 3, and 4), free school meals are available for those from low-income families. All school meals must follow government rules for healthy eating.

School Uniform

A school assembly.

Each school decides its own uniform rules. These rules must be fair and not discriminate based on sex, race, disability, or religion. Schools can allow trousers for girls or religious clothing. Local councils might help with the cost of uniforms.

After-School Activities

Schools may offer childcare before and after school. This includes breakfast clubs and after-school activities like language classes, cooking, arts, sports, and reading clubs.

Education Outside of School

Parents in England can choose to educate their children at home. This is allowed by law. Parents who homeschool do not have to follow the National Curriculum or have formal lessons. They also don't need to be qualified teachers. This is called "Elective Home Education." It can range from structured homeschooling to less structured unschooling. The government does not provide money to parents who choose to homeschool.

Post-16 Education: What's Next?

After taking GCSE exams, which mark the end of required school, students can continue their education. This is called "further education" or "sixth form". They can study in a school's sixth form or at a separate sixth form or further education college. Students can also choose apprenticeships.

Even though sixth form education is not compulsory, students must continue education or training until they are 18. This means they can leave school after GCSEs but must still be learning in some way until their 18th birthday.

Sixth Form Colleges and Further Education Colleges

Students over 16 often study in a school's sixth form (Years 12–13) or at a sixth form college or Further Education (FE) College. FE colleges also offer courses for adults over 18. Students usually work towards Level-3 qualifications like A-Levels or BTEC National Awards.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

The National Apprenticeship Service helps people aged 16 or older find apprenticeships to learn a skilled trade. Traineeships are also offered, combining education and training with work experience to prepare students for apprenticeships.

T Levels: Technical Qualifications

T Levels are new technical qualifications introduced in England between 2020 and 2023. They aim to improve technical education and help students go directly into skilled jobs, further study, or higher apprenticeships. Students can take a T Level in many subjects, including:

• Accountancy
• Agriculture
• Animal care
• Building services
• Catering
• Digital services
• Education
• Health
• Legal
• Manufacturing
• Science

Concerns About Education

Some people have concerns about education in England. For example, some universities feel that top grades (A* or A) are given out too easily. They often ask students to take extra entrance exams.

Employers sometimes find it hard to find young people with basic skills like reading, writing, maths, problem-solving, teamwork, and managing their time. This means employers might have to train new staff in these basic skills.

Some teachers have also shared their concerns. They talk about difficulties in managing classrooms, and feeling a lack of trust from senior staff, parents, and the government.

There have also been concerns about school funding. Some argue that money is being spent on new schools instead of repairing existing ones. This can lead to schools having to cut subjects, make classes larger, or reduce support services for students.

Images for kids

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  The chapel of King's College, University of Cambridge.

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  The hall of Christ Church, University of Oxford.

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  The Founder's Building, Royal Holloway, University of London.

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  Campus of New College Durham, a college of further and higher education