Education

The UK School System

The education system is slightly different in different parts of the UK. This page currently gives information about the system in England. We will add information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland soon.

In England and Wales, the academic year is calculated as of the 1st of September.

5 – 18y: The legal requirement for children to receive full time education.

4 – 11y: Key Stages 1 and 2 can be called primary, junior, or infant school.

11 – 16y: Secondary school for Key Stage 3 and 4 culminating in GCSEs (similar to HKCEE or DSE).

17 – 18y: " Sixth form for Key Stage 5 culminating in A levels, or college or an apprenticeship, which is similar to IVE in HK."

General Differences

School Type: Schools can be academies, private schools, and can be run as well by faith-based groups as well.

Uniforms: It is not a requirement for every school to wear a uniform. Get in touch with the school for information.

Cost: Not all schools are free and not all schools are paid. Get in touch with the school to get more information.

Home Schooling: Kids are allowed to receive home-schooling. There’s online and local tutoring available.

Special Educational Schools: State-funded special educational schools cater for children with additional needs. There is a long process for places in these because each situation needs to be evaluated by specialists and can only be accessed with Local Authority support.


Nurseries: They generally cater for children aged 2-4. All children aged 3-4 are entitled to 15 hours of free education per week (term time of 38 weeks a year). You may be entitled to 30 hours of free education at some of these establishments if both parents are working.

Additional Clubs: Many schools and nurseries have options to pay for additional hours with breakfast clubs, lunch clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs. There may be occasions when you are not able to pick up your children on time due to work commitments, so you can arrange an after-school club for them.

Church of England schools in London have prepared this special welcome video for those who are moving to London.