In the UK, compulsory full time education starts from the age of 4 until the age of 16. After this, a further two years of education follow prior to University education. Parents should be aware that year group naming is not consistent across different countries, and applications should be driven by age.
Ideally parents need to identify their shortlist of schools well in advance of expected entry to fully establish those schools’ entry requirements and maximise their chances. Magnus has the knowledge to guide you through the process, and is able to offer you objective, detailed advice on the British School System and suitable schools for your child.
| CHILD’S AGE | UK SYSTEM | EXAMS | ACTION PLAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | BIRTH | Visit nurseries and complete registrations for nursery and preparatory schools immediately after birth. | |
| 2-3 | NURSERY | Visit preferred preparatory schools. | |
| 3-4 | NURSERY | 4+ | Assessments take place for Selective Schools between November to January. |
| 4-5 | RECEPTION | Registrations open for 7+. | |
| 5-6 | YEAR 1 | Visit Schools (7+ Open Days) and complete 7+ school registrations by the end of Year 1. | |
| 6-7 | YEAR 2 | 7+ | Exams and Interviews for 7+ take place in January. For 8+, visit schools (8+ Open Days) and complete registrations by the end of Year 2. |
| 7-8 | YEAR 3 | 8+ | Exams and Interviews for 8+ take place in January |
| 8-9 | YEAR 4 | Consider senior school options and make a note of individual admission processes. Some schools might close their registrations early. | |
| 9-10 | YEAR 5 | 10+ | Some schools have 10+ Entry with significantly fewer intake. Start visiting schools for 11+ and 13+ entry and complete registrations. |
| 10-11 | YEAR 6 | 11+ / Pretest for 13+ | 11+ exams and 13+ pretests take place from November to February. |
| 11-12 | YEAR 7 | 11+ Entrants start senior school. Exams and Interviews continue for 13+ boarding schools. | |
| 12-13 | YEAR 8 | 13+ Common Entrance | 13 + entry to girls boarding schools and some boys’ schools exams take place in January. 13+ Common Entrance in June. 13+ scholarship exams take place in spring or summer term. |
| 13-14 | YEAR 9 | Senior school starts for 13+ entrants. GCSE choices should be made by the end of year. | |
| 14-15 | YEAR 10 | First Year of GCSE’s | Visit Schools (16+ Open Days) and complete registrations. |
| 15-16 | YEAR 11 | 16+ / GCSE’s | 16+ Exams take place in October and November. |
| 16-17 | YEAR 12 | Sixth Form starts. For those considering a US university, SAT/ACT take place throughout the year | |
| 17-18 | YEAR 13 | A Levels, IB, Pre-U University/ UCAS Applications | UCAS deadline is early March. If applying for Oxbridge, medicine and US universities, deadline for applications is December. |