A quick guide to how English schools work

The English school system can look confusing from the outside, with lots of stages, year groups and exams. This page breaks it down so you know what to expect before you start volunteering. Whether you grew up here or you're new to the country, it's a handy reminder of how everything fits together.

How schools are organised

Children in England start school young and move through a series of stages as they grow up. Education is compulsory from age 5 to 18, though the way young people learn changes a lot across those years. Most children attend state schools, which are free and funded by the government. Schools are split mainly into two types: primary and secondary.

The school year runs from September to July and is divided into three terms, usually called autumn, spring and summer. Each term has a short break in the middle called half term, and there are longer holidays at Christmas, Easter and over the summer.

Primary school (ages 4 to 11)

Primary school is where children begin their education. It covers Reception (the first year, ages 4 to 5) through to Year 6 (ages 10 to 11). Children usually stay with one main class teacher for most of the day and learn a broad range of subjects including reading, writing, maths and topic work.

Year 6 is the final year of primary school. It's an important year because pupils sit national tests known as SATs and prepare to move up to secondary school. Students in Schools volunteers in primary settings work with Year 6 pupils, supporting their reading and confidence at this key transition point.

Secondary school (ages 11 to 16, and beyond)

Children move to secondary school in Year 7, usually at age 11. Secondary school is bigger and more structured than primary. Instead of one teacher, pupils move between classrooms and are taught each subject by a different specialist teacher.

Secondary school covers Year 7 through to Year 11. In Years 10 and 11, pupils work towards their GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education). These are the main national exams taken at age 16, usually in around eight to ten subjects including English, maths and science. GCSE results matter because they shape what a young person can go on to study next.

After GCSEs (ages 16 to 18)

Once pupils finish their GCSEs at 16, they must stay in some form of education or training until they are 18. Many go on to study A-levels, which are subject qualifications usually taken over two years and used to apply to university. Others follow vocational routes such as BTECs or apprenticeships, which mix study with practical, work-based learning. Some secondary schools have their own sixth form for this stage, while others send students to a separate sixth form or college.

Key stages explained

You may hear teachers talk about key stages. This is the way the curriculum is grouped by age. It's useful to recognise the terms even if you don't need to remember all the detail.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Alex Leiden
Email: SIS@reading.ac.uk
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