Education in England

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Education in England: a simple guide

What runs it
- The Department for Education (a government department) sets overall education policy. Local councils put policy into action for state schools. Schools are inspected by Ofsted to check quality and safety.
- Most children in England attend state-funded schools paid for by taxes. Some families choose private (independent) schools or home education.

Key ages and stages
- Early years: 3–4 year-olds can attend state-funded pre-school programs. About 600 hours of optional early education per year are available for children aged 3–4–5.
- Primary education: starts at age 5 and runs until age 11.
- Secondary education: runs from age 11 to 16.
- Post-16 options: education or training continues until age 18, but not necessarily in a school. Options include sixth form, further education (FE) colleges, apprenticeships, or traineeships.

National curriculum and subjects
- The National Curriculum sets out what subjects are taught and the standards expected in most state schools from ages 5–16.
- Core subjects: English, Mathematics, and Science are compulsory. Schools also teach a broad range of other subjects, including arts and design, geography, history, languages, computing, design and technology, and physical education.
- At Key Stage 4 (age 14–16), students study a mix of required and chosen subjects, including arts, design and technology, humanities, and languages.
- Schools must provide Relationship and Sex Education, and Personal, Social, Health and Economic education.

Exams and qualifications
- Primary to secondary progression is shown with regular assessments and exams.
- End of secondary education (around age 16) usually involves GCSE exams in core and other subjects.
- After 16, students can pursue A-levels (academic), or vocational routes such as BTECs, T Levels, or other qualifications. T Levels are technical qualifications that include a substantial industry placement.

Types of schools
- State-funded schools: run by local authorities. They include community schools, foundation schools, voluntary-aided and voluntary-controlled schools, academies, and free schools. Most are non-selective; some areas have selective grammar schools.
- Academies and free schools are publicly funded but not controlled by the local authority.
- Private (independent) schools: funded privately, not required to follow the National Curriculum, and often able to offer scholarships or bursaries. They are inspected by independent bodies or Ofsted.
- Home education: parents can choose to educate their child at home if they wish.

Higher education (university-level)
- England has many universities and university colleges. Most undergraduates start at 18 or older.
- Degrees come in several types (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels). Many STEM degrees are now offered as integrated master’s programs.
- Tuition fees for undergraduate study are capped. From 2024–25, the maximum is about £9,535 per year for many courses; international students typically pay higher fees.
- Most students can access student loans to help with tuition and living costs. The government regulates and monitors higher education through the Office for Students and the Quality Assurance Agency.

Funding and quality
- Since 2018, schools are funded through a national funding formula across England.
- Schools and colleges receive money to cover running costs, staff, and resources. Special funding exists for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Most schools are inspected by Ofsted to ensure good standards of teaching, safety, and leadership. A school can be placed in special measures if standards are very low.

A few historical notes (brief)
- Education in England has a long history, with major reforms in the 19th and 20th centuries expanding publicly funded education.
- The system now aims to give all children a broad, balanced education and clear routes to higher study and work.

In brief
- England provides free, compulsory education from age 5 to 18 in most cases, with a mix of state-funded schools and private options.
- Students follow a national curriculum up to age 16, take GCSEs, and then choose from various paths to continue their education or start work through sixth form, FE colleges, or apprenticeships.
- Higher education offers a range of degrees and vocational qualifications, funded by public schemes and student loans, with quality and access overseen by government regulators.