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How the school system works
Find out about education in the UK, different types of school, the national curriculum and key learning stages.
How the education system works
All children in England who are between 5 and 16 years old need to have full-time education that meets their needs. You can send your child to school or educate them yourself.
The national curriculum is a set of guidelines schools use to make sure children around the country learn the same things.
Community primary and secondary schools run by the council follow the national curriculum. Other schools, such as free schools, academies and private schools can follow a different curriculum.
The national curriculum is split up into school years and key stages.
Age
School year
Curriculum stage
School type
4 to 5
Reception
Foundation stage
Primary school
Infant school
5 to 6
Year 1
Key stage 1
6 to 7
Year 2
7 to 8
Year 3
Key stage 2
Junior school
8 to 9
Year 4
9 to 10
Year 5
10 to 11
Year 6
11 to 12
Year 7
Key stage 3
Secondary school with sixth form
Secondary school
12 to 13
Year 8
13 to 14
Year 9
14 to 15
Year 10
Key stage 4 and GCSEs
15 to 16
Year 11
16 to 17
Year 12
Sixth form and A Levels, BTEC and other qualifications