2. Ages and stages
Children in the UK must be in school from 5-18 years
old. However, from 16 you can choose to study full-time
or part-time.
There are 5 key stages in the British school system:
Key stage 1 Years 1-2 5-7 years old
Key stage 2 Years 3-6 7-11 years old
Key stage 3 Years 7-9 11-14 years old
Key stage 4 Years 10-11 14-16 years old
Key stage 5 Years 12-13 16-18 years old
3. Types of school
The UK has many different
types of school, but there
are two main groups: state
and private.
93% of pupils go to state
school, and the others go
to private schools, which
are also called public or
independent schools.
Another type of school is a
faith school, which is
linked to a religious group
and academies.
Pupils can also go to
academies./half-state and
half-private/They get
money from the
government but are
managed independently.
They often get extra money
from a sponsor.
4. Holidays
The school year has 3 terms. The dates change a little
bit each year but are always similar. Every term has a 1
week ’’half-term’’ holiday in the middle of it.
Term 1 Sep-Dec 1 week holiday in
October
2 weeks holiday in
December
Term 2 Jan-April 1 week holiday in Feb
2 weeks holiday in April
Term 3 April-June 1 week holiday in May
6 weeks holiday in July-
August
5. School days
A typical school day in the UK begins around
8:45 and ends around 3:15.This changes a bit for every
school. There is a break in the morning for about 15
minutes and a lunch break which is usually one hour.
Lessons normally last for an hour, although this can
also change depending on the school.
190= number of school days
6. Random points
In most schools, pupils must wear uniform. However,
in Years 12 and 13 this is often relaxed.
The only subjects you must study after Year 9 are
Maths, English and Science. No subjects are
compulsory after GCSEs.
Grades in the UK are written as letters. A is the best
and F is the worst. However, this year some exams are
being marked with numbers.6 is the best score and 1 is
the worst.
7. Exams
At the end of Key Stage
2,pupils take SATs, which
are national exams in
Mathematics and English.
In Year 9,pupils choose
which subjects they will
study for their GCSEs,
which they take at the end
of Year 11.Usually around 10
subjects are studied. These
are the first important
exams in the UK.
After this, students take AS
Levels(Year 12) and A2
Levels(Year 13).3-4 subjects
are normally studied at this
level.
After A Levels, pupils go to
university or start work.
GCSE=General Certificate
of Secondary Education
SATs=Standard
Assessment Tests
8. Teacher Training
The most normal way to be a teacher in the UK is to
take a one-year PGCE course after your degree. This
year is generally theoretical. After it you must
complete one induction year as an NQT/ Newly
Qualified Teacher/,working in a school on a slightly
reduced timetable.
The starting salary for an NQT is £ 22,000 per year.
The head teacher salary in London is £105,097 per year.
PGCE=Postgraduate Certificate of Education