The first thing to know about the UK school system is that there isn’t one. Each of the four nations – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - operates differently, with different curricula. However, there are similarities too, especially in the independent sector.
Across the four nations, schools are made up of state-funded (sometimes called ‘maintained’) schools, which are free to attend, and private (otherwise known as ‘independent’) schools (some of which confusingly call themselves ‘public schools’), which charge school fees.
Around six per cent of children attend private schools in England, some four per cent in Scotland, two per cent in Wales and less than one per cent in Northern Ireland.
The rest of the school-age population of the UK attends state schools. The structure of state education varies considerably from nation to nation but the broad content – in other words what makes up the curriculum – remains fairly similar.
With private schools across the four nations there are more similarities (although be warned there is often variation within the nations themselves eg some English prep schools finish at age 11, others at age 13).
A third of schools in the UK are faith schools. In some nations eg Northern Ireland, education is a lot more segregated according to faith than in others. Note that faith, in the context of what happens at school, can mean as little as Christian hymns in assembly once a week right through to priority given to applicants of a particular faith. Most faith schools in the UK are Church of England or Catholic.
Single-sex schooling was standard in secondary education across the UK until the 1970s, especially for private, grammar and secondary modern schools. Most UK schools now educate both boys and girls together (co-ed). Some grammars, faith schools and private schools remain single-sex.
At primary level, all state schools (with the exception of some faith schools and some in Northern Ireland) are co-ed. Some private prep schools remain single-sex.
The debate about whether co-ed or single-sex schools lead to better outcomes (both academically and in terms of preparation for life) continues to be strong, with research for and against on each side. Read more about this in our article on co-ed and single sex schools.
Each nation has its own national curriculum and, even where national qualifications are shared, there may be differences (eg content and grading). Other key areas of difference are when the academic year runs, the school starting and leaving ages, and what the year groups are called.
A handful of schools literally demand that you apply for a place as soon as your child is born, which means it’s never too early to start planning your child’s education. In fact, it’s a process that can start even before you’ve conceived – and that goes for all parents, wherever they want their offspring to go to school. From embryo to 18, read on to find out how to survive the education highway. Our lively look at education planning for children of all ages and their parents aims to guide you through the schooling stages in both the independent…
What do you want for your child? State school or fee-paying? Day or boarding school? Single sex or co-education? It helps to have a game plan, even if you change it at a later date. What do you want from the school? Undoubtedly you want to find a great school, one that's ideal for your child, with great teaching and possibly good facilities to match.
Gifted children develop cognitively at a much faster rate than they develop physically, emotionally and socially, posing some interesting problems. For some, rapidly grasping what others cannot can lead to boredom, frustration and inappropriate behaviour. In all these cases there are challenges for parents, teachers and the child, who sees conforming to the norm as a major peer requirement.
If you think your child would benefit from a boarding school education, but are put off by the high fees and consequent limited social mix of a typical independent boarding school, you may find that a state boarding school is the answer. Read more... State grammar schools Counties such as Kent or Buckinghamshire are ‘selective authorities’ and most families will have at least one grammar school close to where they live. Elsewhere, for example in Reading or Kingston-on-Thames, there are just one or two grammar schools and competition for places at these is ferocious. Grammar schools are located in 36…
School catchment area frenzy is gripping the nation as anxious parents lie, cheat, and even change their religion to get their offspring into the right school. And as the cost of living continues to soar and many independent school fees remain out of reach for the majority, there’s no sign of the trend slowing down, with hordes of parents willing to do almost anything to get their children into the state school of their choice.