Academic school years in the UK start in September and end the following July. The school year is split into 3 terms: Summer, Autumn and Spring (many schools will give specific names to terms such as Lent Term instead of Spring Term). During the term there are also ¡®Half Terms¡¯ which are shorter breaks where students can rest and revise. If boarding, students also have ¡®Exeats¡¯, which are full weekends away from school. It¡¯s worth noting that many boarding schools operate their curriculum for 6 days per week (which includes Saturday morning lessons followed by sport competitions against other schools and a rest day on Sunday).
Many independent schools offer both day school and boarding options and are increasingly co-educational with boys and girls attending, although some single-sex schools are still available.
Some schools only offer education at Pre-Prep and Prep level, some only Senior and Sixth Form and some offer all-through education. Depending on the school, some finish Prep at 11 years or 13 years and some Senior schools accept pupils at 11 years or 13 years.
Some schools offer ¡®Pathway to university¡¯ courses in Sixth Form and this is an entry point for those looking to access UK universities.
| Pre-Prep | Prep | Senior | Sixth Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-7 Years Old | 8 – 11 or 13 Years Old | 12 or 13 – 16 Old | 17-18 Years |
| Rec to Year 2 | Year 3 to Year 6 or Year 8 | Year 7 or Year 9 to Y11 | Year 12 & Year 13 |
| No formal exams | 11+ or Common Entrance* Usually 4-6 CE Subjects | GCSEs Usually 9 GCSEs | A Level or IB** Usually 3 A Levels |
(*Common Entrance exams are traditionally used for entry to Senior schools, however these are increasingly being phased out in exchange for assessments set by Senior schools.
** IB is the International Baccalaureate which examines 6 subjects)