Structure & Key Stages

The structure, organisation and terminology within the British education system differs from systems in Europe and other countries.

The usual age for starting school is 5; however, many ISC schools offer nursery facilities from a much younger age, with some even capable of looking after children from 6 months upwards. The school year into which a child is placed depends on their age, rather than their ability, although at various stages of education it is possible to take exams early if the child is capable. Schools will usually not accept pupils halfway through any two-year courses, such as during GCSE (ages 15-16 ) or A-Level (ages 17-18).

Some international schools use the American ‘grades' system rather than the British year groups, so Year 7 becomes Grade 6, but the typical organisational system is detailed below:

Age		England & Wales		Northern Ireland		Scotland
		Preparatory school begins		Preparatory school begins		Preparatory school begins
4-5 yrs		Reception (Key Stage 1)		Year 1		Nursery (non-compulsory)
5-6 yrs		Year 1 (Key Stage 1)		Year 2		P1 - Infants
6-7 yrs		Year 2 (Key Stage 1)		Year 3		P2 - Infants
7-8 yrs		Year 3 (Key Stage 2)		Year 4		P3 - Infants
8-9 yrs		Year 4 (Key Stage 2)		Year 5		P4 - Junior
9-10 yrs		Year 5 (Key Stage 2)		Year 6		P5 - Junior
10-11 yrs		Year 6 (Key Stage 2)		Year 7		P6 - Upper Primary
		Secondary school begins		Secondary school begins
11-12 yrs		Year 7 (Key Stage 3)		Year 8		P7 - Upper Primary
						Secondary school begins
12-13 yrs		Year 8 (Key Stage 3)		Year 9		S1 - Secondary
13-14 yrs		Year 9 (Key Stage 3)		Year 10		S2 - Secondary
14-15 yrs		Year 10 (Key Stage 3 - GCSE)		Year 11		S3 - Secondary
15-16 yrs		Year 11 (Key Stage 4 - GCSE)		Year 12		S4 - Secondary
16-17 yrs		Year 12 (Key Stage 4 - AS-Level)		Year 13		S5 - Secondary
17-18 yrs		Year 13 (Key Stage 4 - A2-Level)		Year 14		S6 - Secondary