Primary Schools Series: US vs UK Educational System
Another milestone is fast approaching in our parenthood journey: selecting a primary school, so what is the difference between the US vs UK educational system?
Although London has been home for the past 13 years, I am still learning about the British way of life. Here I am referring to the British education system. Having attended California public schools my entire life, I understand the US (or at least the California) educational system. But in the U.K, the educational system is completely new for us.
We have been knee deep with thinking about schools as Lady Yeya enters reception in September 2022. I won’t lie. The topic of schools has been weighing on our minds. We as parents only want the best for our children and a learning environment that allows our children to thrive. There’s a lot to think about, so I decided to put together a series about primary schools. I hope to share some food for thought on the whole topic of primary schools. Let me start with laying out the differences between the US vs UK educational system.
US Educational System
In the U.S., compulsory education starts from age 6 to 18, with most children starting ‘kindergarten’ by their fifth birthday. Although this varies state by state, the U.S. education system is generally divided between three schools. It starts with “elementary school” where pupils attend from Kindergarten to 6th Grade. Then, it is on to “middle school” for grades 7 and 8. After, four years are spent at “high school” where grades are known as freshmen or 9th grade; sophomore or 10th grade; junior or 11th grade; and senior 12th grade. At the completion of 12th grade, students graduate with a high school diploma. Students can then leave formal education and enter the workplace, or opt to pursue higher education (aka Bachelor degree) at a university.
U.K. Educational System
In the U.K., education is compulsory from age 5 to 16. Formal education starts with “Reception” where children attend the September after their fourth birthday. The British educational system places considerable emphasis on early year education. As such, the UK government provides every child up to 30 hours of free early year childcare from the age of three.
Formal education is no longer compulsory at age 16 after taking their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. However, all students must either continue full-time education, join an apprenticeship, or combination of part-time education and volunteering until the age of 18. Most students continue their education at a “Sixth Form” college for an additional two years (Y12 to Y13). Then, they take their Advanced Level (A-Level) exams, which are especially important if you have aspirations to attend university.
In a nutshell, the main difference between the US vs UK educational system is that the latter is divided into three schools: primary (Reception to Y6); secondary (Y7 to Y11); Sixth Form College (Y12 to Y13). Because children start school one year earlier than the US counterpart, the UK has one more “year” or “grade” than the U.S. Therefore, Kindergarten is equivalent to Y1 (UK) and Grade 12 in the U.S. is equal to Y13 (U.K.). Families and friends back in California are always surprised that Lady Yeya is starting school next year at 4.5 years old but this is the British school system.
What’s Next?
What’s next? Well, I suspect that I’ll be spending hours researching schools and talking to local parents about their child’s journey experience through primary school. It’s a good thing that we have nice neighbors on the road with kids attending different schools in the local area. More to follow soon.
Also in this series:
Primary School Series: State Schools vs Independent Schools
Primary School Series: What to Look for at the Open Mornings
