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© 2017 Dwellworks
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Discovering the U.K.
Education
Overview
Private nursery facilities for younger children are available in most areas but there are often
long waiting lists. State education is in primary schools for children aged five through 11
years, and in secondary schools from 11 to either 16, or 18 years-old. Most secondary
schools are comprehensive, where pupils are automatically accepted from the primary
schools. A few areas retain selective secondary education, where children take an
examination for entrance to a grammar school at age 11; the remaining children attend
comprehensive or other secondary schools.
There is an increasing trend amongst
schools to opt out of council control and
these are then free to select pupils and
arrange their own budgets. Some areas
operate a system of primary schools
(ages 5-9), middle schools (ages 10-14)
and upper schools (ages 15-18), and
others have sixth form colleges for
students 16 years and older, preparing
for entrance to universities and other
institutions of high education.
Provided the children of expatriates have a reasonable working knowledge of the English
language on arrival in the country, they should not experience any difficulty in settling into a
local state school. Where language difficulties exist, tuition is arranged, either privately or
through the local Education Office, before the child commences at school. Information
concerning education is available from the local Education Office.
In many state schools, lunches are provided at midday; facilities and prices vary as local
authorities are now free to make their own arrangements for provision. As an alternative to
state education, the children of expatriates can enter the independent sector for education.
Many independent preparatory schools take children from the age of three years, usually
transferring to public schools at the age of 13, although some independent day schools take
pupils from three to 18 or from 11-18 years.
In general, fees at boys’ schools are somewhat higher than at girls’ schools. An increasing
number of boys’ public schools now accept girls aged 16 to 18 years. Many schools have
religious foundations where fees are below average, and entry to these schools is generally
subject to the family being members of the faith.
Helpful Hint:
“Public Schools” in the U.K. are private, independent, fee-paying
schools.