So I have family living near Seattle and I found out they really know nothing about the UK School system so I decided to share our pain with other countries. This is also so when Americans read my post they know what the hell I'm on about at times!

So firstly everyone wears uniforms until the end of year 11 then in sixth form there is either a free choice of clothes or a uniform depending on where you go.

Secondly it is now a legal requirement to stay in full time education until you are 18.

There are different varieties of schools in the UK. There are primary and secondary schools which are your bog standard free easy to get into school which admits everyone. Then there is a private school which costs money to go to. There are also grammar schools which you have to pass a test to get into and only admit more academically gifted students. Playgroups or nursery's are for the younger years and can either cost money or be free, but more often cost money. In your later years after secondary school you can either continue to sixth form or college where you need certain grades to get into certain courses.

These are usually small, about 10-40 people.

Age 2-4: playgroup or nursery. This is where you first start off and is a day care service where you start to learn basic skills.

These are larger than infants but still quite small. These range from about 50-250 people.

Age 4-5: Reception. This is the first official year of school.

Age 5-6: Year one

Age 6-7: Year two

Age 7-8: Year three

Age 8-9: Year four

Age 9-10: Year five

Age 10-11: Year six. In year six you take an English, Maths and sometimes a Science exam which determine what sets (classes based on ability, one being the highest) you will be in in secondary school.

These are larger than the others. They are usually 1000-3000 people.

Age 11-12: Year seven

Age 12-13: Year eight

Age 13-14: Year nine (This can also be the first year of GCSE's for some schools)

Age 14-15: Year ten. This is the first year of GCSE subjects. There are the compulsory subjects (English, Maths, Science, Philosophy and Ethics of some description, Life skills, PE and ICT) and you also choose four additional subjects of your choice to study there are a wide range of these and vary from what a school can afford to offer).

Age 15-16: Year eleven. This is the year where you take your GCSE subject exams (although some may have been taken in year ten). The exam papers are sent off to examiners who give it a grade of either A*, A, B, C, D, E, F or U (ungradeable) based on your score. These results determine what you continue to do as they are formal qualifications. You must achieve at least a grade C in English and Maths or you have to retake.

These get smaller again. A sixth form has around 100-500 people whereas colleges have around 500-2500 people.

Age 16-18. There are multiple options for further education. Based on what GCSE grades you get you can either do A Levels (at least five C grades or above to take these), College qualifications (usually BTECs and a range of asking grades but usually accepting most people ) or an apprenticeship (a range of asking grades depending on the sector and company). A Levels are the most common and recognised qualification to get into a university.

I hope this successfully explains our UK system to people. Feel free to comment any questions!!! :)

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