In the UK there are a variety of schools that may differ from the education system you are used to overseas. Here is a simple guide to the types of schools you are likely to come across when working in the UK.

Pre-school or nursery school

From birth and up to the age of five, children can attend pre-school or nursery school. These provide an early introduction into education using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. They tend to focus on learning through play that is both fun and aids learning and development.

Primary school

Primary school is the start of formal education in the UK. All children will begin primary school in the September after their fourth birthday. Some primary schools are divided into infants (for ages five to seven) and juniors (for ages seven to 11).

Secondary school

Secondary education is compulsory for children aged 11 to 16. During the final year, students will take their first formal exams to gain GCSE qualifications. Some schools combine pre-school, primary and secondary education, these are called all-through schools.

College or sixth form

Once young people are 16 and they have taken their exams, until they are 18, they must either stay in education, start an apprenticeship, or work part-time whilst in part-time education. If they stay in academic education, this is usually into a college or sixth form where exams are taken at the end of the second year to gain A-level or other equivalent qualifications. Colleges and sixth forms also prepare students for life after they turn 18 either with career advice for the world of work or to apply to continue into higher education (university or equivalent).

SEND schools

These are specialist units, schools or settings for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They provide education and development suited to the needs and requirements of children and young people from age five to 18. There are even young adult settings to provide learning and care for those over 18.

Mainstream or state schools

A mainstream or state school is generally defined as a school from the general education system that receives funding directly from the government or through their local authority. The most common ones are community schools, foundation and voluntary schools, academies, free schools, and grammar schools. Mainstream schools teach pupils from primary age all the way up to college or sixth form. They can take students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), but don’t tend to have specialist provisions for these students.

Community, foundation, and voluntary schools

Sometimes called local authority-maintained schools, community schools follow the national curriculum and are not influenced by business or religious groups. Foundation and voluntary schools are funded by local authorities but can change the way they do things and are often support by religious group representatives.

Academies, free and grammar schools

Academies receive funding directly from the government and are run by an academy trust. They have more control over how they do things, for example they do not have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times. Free schools are the same as academies they only differ in how they came to be set up. Grammar schools are selective secondary schools, only in particular areas of the UK, for students who pass a specific test call the 11-plus.

Private or independent schools

Schools that are referred to as ‘independent’ or ‘private’ means they are financially separate from national or local governments. They are run by a board of independently elected governors and rely on student fees paid by parents and donations for funding. They can educate students of any age from nursery to 18 and some can be highly academically selective. In the UK, the average cost of a private school per pupil is around £14,940 per year.

Boarding schools

At boarding schools, the pupils live on the premises, they will eat all their meals at school and stay overnight. There are different options of boarding, for example boarding from Monday to Friday and return home for the weekends or boarding for a full term and returning home for the school holidays. The vast majority of these are private or independent schools.

Faith schools

Faith schools have a religious identity and teach a religious syllabus.

These are a sample of the main school types you will hear about and work in. We build close relationships with all the schools we place our staff in and understand what makes them special – that way we can expertly match you with the school that will suit you best whatever type of school it is.

Find out more

Want to find out more about working in education in the UK? Get in touch with our friendly Brisbane office to tell us more.