Find information on the school system, including school years and key stages.
All children in England 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 or 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 or secondary school with sixth form |
| 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 | Secondary school with sixth form or college |
| 17 to 18 | Year 13 |