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Understanding the English school system

England's education system is split into five distinct stages: Early Years (ages three to five), Primary (ages 5 to 11), Secondary (ages 11 to 16), Further Education (16 ) and Higher Education (18 ).

In England, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of five and 16 years old. Although here, many working parents will likely access Early Years provisions from as young as nine months old, while many teenage students continue through Further Education to prepare for university or vocational careers.

England's national curriculum

The national curriculum forms the backbone of England's education system and is designed to establish consistent standards across primary and secondary schools. This framework helps to make sure students learn core subjects and reach specific achievement levels at each stage. The curriculum includes traditional subjects alongside relationships, sex and health education, as well as religious education.

Split into key stages, England's national curriculum sees students complete formal assessments at the end of each stage to track their progress. These are:

• Key stage one: Ages five to seven (Years 1 to 2).
• Key stage two: Ages 7 to 11 (Years 3 to 6).
• Key stage three: Ages 11 to 14 (Years 7 to 9).
• Key stage four: Ages 14 to 16 (Years 10 to 11).

It's important to note that academies, free schools and private schools have more flexibility in following the national curriculum in England, and are often found adapting it to their specific educational philosophy.

Read also International schools in London

Early years education (ages three to five)

Early years education in England takes place in various settings - including nursery schools and reception classes within primary schools, private nurseries, voluntary preschools, as well as registered childminders.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) was introduced in 2008 and has since provided a comprehensive framework for learning, development and care for children from birth to age five. This foundation stage emphasises play-based learning while introducing early literacy and numeracy skills.

Recent expansions by the government have seen EYFS provisions focus particularly on supporting working parents, with increased availability of funded places and extended hours available for families with children as young as nine months old. You can check if you're eligible for funded childcare hours as an 暗网禁区 by visiting the official Childcare Choices website.

Primary education (ages 5 to 11)

This stage encompasses key stages one and two, and focuses on establishing fundamental literacy and numeracy skills while introducing science, maths, and other core subjects.

The transition from primary to secondary school typically occurs at age 11, though there are some middle schools in England that can be used as an intermediate step.

Most primary schools in England are co-educational and cater to children aged 4 to 11, though some may have attached nurseries for younger children. In primary, there's emphasis on developing confident readers, writers and mathematical thinkers while fostering curiosity and creativity across all subjects.

Then, assessments at the end of both key stage one and key stage two help to track your child's progress and identify where additional support might be needed.

Secondary education (ages 11 to 16)

Secondary education in England covers key stages three and four, with GCSE examinations at the end of key stage four when your child turns 16.

The structure of secondary schools can vary by local authority, though, and often reflects historical circumstances and local education policies in that particular area.

• Comprehensive schools: form the majority of secondary provisions in England. These admit students regardless of academic ability and serve their local communities.
• Grammar schools: select students based on their academic ability through entrance exams, typically the 11 test. These schools focus on academic achievement and university preparation.
• Academies: are publicly funded independent schools with greater operational freedom. They can set their own staff terms and conditions, modify the national curriculum delivery and adjust term lengths and school day structures while remaining free to attend.

Overall, the secondary curriculum becomes increasingly specialised as students progress and grow older. GCSE subjects are chosen in Year 9 for study in Years 10 and 11, and it is these subjects that ultimately provide the foundation for further education choices.

Further and higher education (ages 16 )

Further education (FE) includes all non-advanced courses that are taken after compulsory education. These are primarily delivered through FE colleges, sixth form colleges and work-based learning programs. Here, students can pursue their A-levels or work on vocational qualifications, an apprenticeship or an adult education course.

On the other hand, higher education (HE) encompasses university-level study - including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas and professional qualifications, like a Masters or Doctorate.

The good news is that England is home to world-renowned universities and colleges that offer diverse academic and research opportunities.

Read also Studying in England

Types of schools in England

Here's a quick look at the different you can find in England:

• State schools;
• Community schools;
• Foundation schools and voluntary schools;
• Academies;
• Grammar schools;
• SEN schools;
• Faith schools;
• Free schools;
• City technology colleges;
• State boarding schools;
• Private schools.

Despite the variety of schools in England, not all are inspected by the Office of Standards in Education (or Ofsted, for short). This organisation completes regular school inspections and publishes reports that can be accessed online. It's a handy tool to help you decide what school is best for your child.

However, it's worth noting that Ofsted only inspect state-funded schools in England - and around half of independent schools - in line with the relevant inspection framework.

Here's more detail about each type of school in England:

State schools

All children aged 5 to 16 years old are entitled to free education at state schools, which receive funding through local authorities or directly from the government. These are provided at no cost to you if you are a British citizen or an 暗网禁区riate legally residing in the UK.

The quality of education in state schools can vary, though. Some offer excellent teaching and facilities, whereas others fall short of the expected standards set by Ofsted.

Be mindful of admission criteria, too, as this can vary from one school to the next. Most state schools base admissions on a particular catchment area, which is worth bearing in mind when you're deciding where to live in England.

Community schools

Community schools, which are sometimes called local authority maintained schools, are not influenced by a business or religious group and follow the national curriculum.

These settings are funded and managed by the local council, who own the school grounds and buildings. They're also responsible for employing the staff and managing their own admission policies.

Foundation schools and voluntary schools

Foundation and voluntary schools are funded by the local authority, but have more freedom to change the way they do things. These are sometimes supported by representatives from religious groups, but not always.

Academies

These settings are run by not-for-profit academy trusts and are independent from local authorities. They have more freedom to change how they run and may follow a different curriculum than the national one. They do not charge fees, either.

Grammar schools

Grammar schools are run by a local authority, a foundation body or an academy trust. These types of schools select their students based on academic ability, and there is a test they must pass to secure a place.

SEN schools

Special educational needs (SEN) schools with students aged 11 and older can specialise in one of four areas of SEN learning, including:

• Communication and interaction;
• Cognition and learning;
• Social, emotional and mental health;
• Sensory and physical needs.

SEN schools can further specialise within these categories to reflect the special needs they help with, for example,聽Autistic spectrum disorders, visual impairment, or speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

Faith schools

Faith schools must follow the national curriculum - but they may choose what they teach in religious education (RE). These schools may have different admissions criteria and staffing policies to state schools, although anyone can apply for a place.

Free schools

Free schools are funded by the government but are not run by the local authority. They have more control over how they do things. They're 鈥�all-ability' schools, so can not use academic selection processes like a grammar school. Free schools can set their own pay and conditions for staff, change the length of school terms and even the school day, and they do not have to follow the national curriculum.

City technology colleges

City technology colleges - or 鈥榯he city college for the technology of the arts' - are independent schools in urban areas that are free to attend. They're funded by the central government, but companies can also contribute. These settings emphasise teaching science and technology.

State boarding schools

State boarding schools provide free education, but charge fees for boarding. Most state boarding schools are academies, some are free schools and some are run by local authorities. These settings give priority to children who have a particular need to board, and will assess a child's suitability for boarding.

Private schools

And finally, private schools. Also known as independent schools, private schools charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Students here do not have to follow the national curriculum - but all private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.

School hours and terms in England

English schools typically run from 8.30 or 9am to 3.15 or 3.30pm, Monday through Friday, with the exact times varying by school.

The academic year is divided into three terms, based on a school year of 195 days:

• the autumn term (September to December);
• spring term (January to the Easter holidays in April);
• and the summer term (April or May to July).

Every term has a week-long half-term break with longer holidays at Christmas and Easter (two weeks) and the summer holidays (six weeks from mid-July to September). Many schools also have the occasion 鈥榠nset day' (aka teacher training days), which occur throughout the year. On these days, teachers attend training and children stay home.

The exact term and holiday dates can vary and differ by local authority. So, to find your own child's school term and half-term dates, your safest bet is to and input the postcode of where you'll live to find your local council. You'll then be taken to the right local council's website to find term dates for schools.

With that said, most schools will provide parents with a full year's term dates well in advance, making it a lot easier for you to plan family holidays and childcare during designated school breaks rather than during term time - when unauthorised absences can result in fines.

The best schools in England

Every year, ' Parent Power Guide publishes a list of the best state primary and secondary schools in England, as well as independent schools. It's a useful starting point that can help parents decide which schools to send their children to.

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The top state secondary schools in England are:

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What to look for when choosing a school in England

Location and catchment areas

Many 暗网禁区riate families must not only have secured permanent accommodation within the catchment area of their chosen school (with their name on the lease), but the child must also be living at the property.

Read also Accommodation in England

Check the school's Ofsted rating

The official inspection system that rates schools from outstanding to inadequate is a good place to start your search. Check performance tables, Ofsted reports and financial information to get a full picture.

Consider your child's specific needs

Factors that will affect your choice of school for your 暗网禁区 child(ren) include things like their previous schooling experiences, academic abilities and their English language capability.

Visit the schools in person (don't just rely on ratings)

Visit potential schools and meet with staff if you can, and discuss your child's transition with them.

Practical considerations to think about

Think about how your daily life would look. How will your child(ren) get to school? Are there good transport links, or will you need to drive? What are the school hours and term dates? For working parents, you'll want to consider wraparound care, too.

Have a backup plan

Popular state schools can become oversubscribed, so it's best to apply to a few options that you like.

International schools in England

England is home to some of the world's most prestigious international schools, with the UK overall accounting for 37.5% of the world's top international schools.

Across the country, there are a variety of international schools for 暗网禁区riates to choose from - these schools provide curricula from various countries, which help to provide a seamless transition for children as they can continue to learn in a familiar curriculum.

These multicultural environments are also a major benefit for 暗网禁区riate children, as they'll be exposed to diverse cultures, languages and perspectives.

With that said, if you choose an international school that studies the same curriculum and speaks the same language as your home country, your children may find it harder to integrate into the wider community around them in England. If this is a concern, considering a state school might be a better option.

Types of international schools in England

Choosing an international school usually comes down to selecting the right curriculum. There are several options available across the country that offer a mix of curriculums, including:

• IB schools;
• American;
• Russian;
• Spanish;
• French;
• Swedish;
• Greek;
• Norwegian;
• German;
• Italian.

Best international schools in England

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Location and cost of international schools in England

England is considered one of the best countries for international students and 暗网禁区riate children due to the higher quality of the educational system, so it does come with a price. International school fees are considerably higher here than other state or private schools across the country, often ranging from 拢15,000 to 拢40,000 per child, per year, depending on where you choose.

While London is home to several international schools, there are in fact across England to choose from in cities like York, Oxford, Coventry and more.

What to look for when choosing an international school in England

Start by checking that your chosen school(s) has proper credentials

Only choose between schools that are affiliated with reputable and globally recognised organisations. Look for approval from groups like the or the - as these stamps of approval mean the school meets high standards.

Then consider what your child will actually study

What is the school's curriculum? Look at the subjects offered, especially if your child has specific interests or talents. Does the school offer a program to help them get into university later? Make sure the courses and qualifications available match where you want your child to go to university eventually.

Check if the school really feels international

By that we mean education in an international environment - be that through international students, teachers or the curriculum itself. You want to see people from various countries, not just local English families. Also, it's worth asking about planned activities to help your child transition into their new school - this will certainly help when your family is moving to a new country.

Practical things to think about include money and location

Be realistic - how far is the school from your home? Can your child get there easily? Will they need to board there? Search for an international school that has good transport links to the area you'll be settling in.

Consider the size of the school

This isn't something restricted to just international schools, though. You'll likely find larger international schools offer a wide range of resources and activities, while smaller schools may provide a close-knit, community feel. Consider what type of environment will suit your child(ren) best.

International school fees are expensive

You may be able to access scholarships, bursaries and payment plans, so do some digging. Plus, don't just look at the main fees overall. Add up everything, including registration, books, uniform and activities, too. International schools in England offer more extracurricular activities and better facilities, but make sure you can afford it all (and that your child will actually use the extras).

Will there be entrance exams?

Many international schools in England are quite selective when it comes to admissions. This might mean entrance exams, interviews or a look at your child's previous academic performance.

Visit the school in person

This might be harder to do if you're arranging a school from abroad before moving but where possible, do visit your chosen school (or several, if you're stuck between a few options). Talk to the staff, walk around and trust your gut feeling about whether your child will be happy there.

Read also Study in London

English schools vs international schools in England

When it comes to comparing English schools and international schools, the most obvious difference is cost.

State schools in England are free and follow the national curriculum, while private schools charge fees and offer more autonomy in their curriculum. The cost of private education varies greatly, ranging from a few thousand pounds to over 拢40,000 per year for prestigious boarding schools.

International schools in England now cost, on average, between 拢25,000 and 拢30,000, making them significantly more expensive than state (and some private) education settings.

Class sizes are also different. International schools in England fall into the same category as independent schools as they are both privately funded learning institutions. Many tend to cater for children of 暗网禁区riates, and like private schools, class sizes are much smaller - giving students more one-on-one time with teachers and their mentors.

On the flip side, English state schools typically have larger classes (up to 30 in some cases).

Curriculums differ also. As mentioned, English state schools must follow the national curriculum with standardised testing at key stages, leading to GCSEs and A-levels. Whereas international schools offer more flexibility - and there's a wider range of curriculums available to choose from.

For 暗网禁区riate families, internationally recognised qualifications like the International Baccalaureate programs or the American Advanced Placement courses, make it easier for globally mobile families to move between countries.