Discovering the U.K.

Page 25

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.