education
The UK education system can
be confusing , especially for international families whose children are being educated elsewhere . Hopefully this article can shed some light for families considering educating their children in the UK .
Schools by Funding Type State schools account for 93 per cent of children in the UK and are not fee-paying ; they are funded by the government . To be eligible for a place parents must have ‘ right of abode ’ ( automatic as a British Citizen ) or a visa that stipulates their children are eligible for a state-funded school . The admissions process is managed by the local authority and the allocation of a school is based on where you live and address proof will be required to apply .
Independent schools , also known as private / public schools are feepaying and each school has its own admissions process — you apply to schools directly . Many independent schools will sponsor Tier 4 child student visas which allows international students to study in the UK when their parents do not have the right , or do not want , to live in the UK .
For the purpose of this article , we will discuss independent schools .
Schools by age Pre-prep schools : Children will usually start at the age of 3 or 4 and the aim is to prepare them for a move to prep school at age 7 or 8 ( Year 3 or 4 ). Pre-prep schools are often linked to prep schools and many children will transition from one to the other . Prep schools : Entry is usually at age 7 or 8 ( Year 3 or 4 ), where children will take the appropriate 7 + or 8 + exams but it is possible to start at 9 or 10 if there are places available . Prep schools prepare children to gain entry to senior schools , usually at the age of 11 or 13 . Senior schools : Senior schools can start at age 11 or 13 and go through to age 18 . Common entry points to senior school are usually at 11 + ( Year
7 ), 13 + ( Year 9 ) or 16 + ( Year 12 ) and most schools will have an established admissions process for these . Most senior schools are selective and prospective students may have to sit computerised and / or paper tests , interviews , assessment days before being offered a place . Depending on student movement , some schools may have occasional spaces for entry at 12 + ( Year 8 ) and 14 + ( Year 10 ). Years 12 and 13 are collectively known as the Sixth Form . Sixth Form colleges : These cater to students aged 16 to 18 after they have finished their GCSEs . They provide AS and A-level courses , as well as other more vocational courses , and are usually more flexible than a traditional school in terms of subject choices and duration of study . The environment is more informal ( no uniform ) and students are expected to be fairly independent and take responsibility for their own education . Many sixth form colleges are academically selective and applicants will be required to take entrance exams in the subjects they will study and / or an interview .
Main entry points for international applicants Some prep schools offer boarding , therefore international students can start at a UK school before senior school . However , most students will enter at the following points :
• 11 +: Your child will start Year 7 at their new school .
• 13 +: Your child will start Year 9 at their new school .
• 16 +: Your child will start Year 12 at their new school . Occasional places might be available outside of the usual entry points , into Year 8 or 10 for example . It is worth noting that entry into Year 11 or 13 is extremely unlikely as it is half-way through a twoyear course ( GCSE / A Level / IB ).
Schools by boarding type Day schools : Students live with their parents and commute to school each day . Boarding schools : Students live at school for all or part of the week .
• Weekly : Students will live at school Monday to Friday and spend weekends with their parents .
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