Help and support if you’ve recently arrived from Ukraine
8. Phases of education in the UK
Across the UK there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary, Further Education and Higher Education.
This can take place in a variety of settings including state nursery schools, nursery classes and reception classes within primary schools as well as privately run nurseries and childminders. In England, all three and four year olds are entitle to 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year.
In England, all children aged 5 to 16 are entitles to a free place at a state school and are required to be in full-time education - this is compulsory school age.
The Education system in England is divided into key stages:
| Type of education institution | Key Stage | Year Group | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Education | Early Years foundation stage (EYFS) | Reception | 4 to 5 |
| Key Stage 1 | Year 1 | 5 to 6 | |
| Year 2 | 6 to 7 | ||
| Key Stage 2 | Year 3 | 7 to 8 | |
| Year 4 | 8 to 9 | ||
| Year 5 | 9 to 10 | ||
| Year 6 | 10 to 11 | ||
| Secondary Education | Key Stage 3 | Year 7 | 11 to 12 |
| Year 8 | 12 to 13 | ||
| Year 9 | 13 to 14 | ||
| Key Stage 4 | Year 10 | 14 to 15 | |
| Year 11 | 15 to 16 |
The major goals of primary education are achieving basic literacy and numeracy amongst all pupils, as well as establishing foundations in science, mathematics, and other subjects. Children in England are assessed at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
In Buckinghamshire there are Selective (Grammar) and Non-Selective Schools (all-ability). Grammar Schools admit children based on their performance in the Secondary Transfer Test. At the end of Key Stage 4 pupils are normally entered for a range of external examinations- GCSEs.
All young people in England are required to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday and most continue until the end of the academic year in which they turn 18.
There are many education options including A Levels, BTECs, NVQs and apprenticeships.
18 years plus - optional
How to support your child’s learning
Tell the school if you would prefer written communication rather than spoken communication. You can tell the school if you have a family member who is better in English and can help you with communication.
Schools in the UK encourage parents to be involved in school life and they can support you in this. The Bell Foundation has guidance on how you can help your child to learn and get involved with school life.
Ask the school for information about your child’s learning. You should ask about:
- The school timetable (the school day in the UK typically starts 8.30-9.00am and finishes between 3.00-3.30pm)
- Your child’s homework
- Exams and tests (these are called assessments)
- Attendance
- The curriculum and key stages
Join a parent group with other parents who speak the same language as you. If the school does not have a group, ask them to start one.
Attend parents’ evenings. If you are worried about your English, you could request a one-to-one meeting with a teacher to talk about your child’s progress. You could also ask the school if an interpreter can be there to help you.
Free school meal entitlement
The Government has indicated that parents will be entitled to benefits and therefore we expect that most (if not all) of the families arriving will be entitled to free school meals, at least on arrival, and that it is appropriate to work on that basis initially.
School uniforms
Ask at the school and they will try to help you to ensure your child has everything they need. They may require additional items such as PE (Physical Education) Kit and Swimming Kit.