School years
The table below demonstrates the progression of a child through the English state schooling system - where the school year begins on 1 September.
|
Age on 1 Sep |
Year |
Assessment |
Curriculum stage |
Schools |
|
|
3 |
Nursery |
|
Foundation stage |
Nursery school |
|
|
4 |
Reception |
|
Infant school |
Primary school |
|
|
5 |
Year 1 |
|
Key Stage 1 |
||
|
6 |
Year 2 |
SATs (teacher assessed) in English, maths and science |
|||
|
7 |
Year 3 |
|
Key Stage 2 |
Junior school |
|
|
8 |
Year 4 |
|
|||
|
9 |
Year 5 |
|
|||
|
10 |
Year 6 |
SATs* (teacher assessed) in English, maths and science |
|||
|
11 |
Year 7 |
Ongoing teacher assessments |
Key Stage 3 |
Secondary school |
Secondary school with Sixth Form |
|
12 |
Year 8 |
Ongoing teacher assessments |
|||
|
13 |
Year 9 |
Ongoing teacher assessments |
|||
|
14 |
Year 10 |
Some students take GCSEs |
Key Stage 4 / GCSE
Foundation Diploma Higher Diploma |
||
|
15 |
Year 11 |
Most students take GCSEs or other national qualifications |
|||
|
16 |
Year 12 |
AS levels (or other national qualifications) |
Sixth Form / A level
Foundation Diploma Higher Diploma Advanced Diploma |
Sixth Form in school / college |
|
|
17 |
Year 13 |
A levels (or other national qualifications) |
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*SATs: Standard Assessment Tests. See Assessment for more information.
For more information on any of the types of assessment mentioned above, go to Assessment.
Compulsory schooling
Under the Education Act 1996 (Chapter 56), children aged 5-16 must receive a full-time education (either by regular attendance at school or otherwise) that is:
- suitable for their age, ability and aptitude
- suitable for any special educational needs they may have.
The vast majority of children are educated at school, where the school year runs from September to July.
After they have reached the age of 16, students can either leave school or continue their studies for a further two years - to complete A levels, Diplomas, or other qualifications.
The Education and Skills Act 2008 states that from 2013, the leaving age for compulsory education will be raised to 17; from 2015, the leaving age will be raised again to 18.
Information on specific schools
Each school publishes its own prospectus, which can often be found on the school's website (or if not, by contacting the school). The prospectus provides information on the school's values and aims, school hours, uniform, school clubs, specialist subjects, sports activities and so on.