The British education system

Photograph of The Oxford English dictionary

The British education system may be quite different from other countries. The most important facts are:

  • Children are organised into classes according to their age on 31 August each year. For example:

    Date of birth Age on 31 August 2008 Year
    30 August 1994 14 10
    01 September 1994 13 9
  • GCSE courses last two years (years 10 & 11). This means that most good schools won’t accept new students into year 11 because it is half-way through the GCSE course. This is why Bell Bedgebury International School has a special one-year intensive GCSE programme.
  • Students need to pass five GCSE exams at grades A* to C to be sure of a place in the 6th Form (years 12 & 13). However, because GCSE results aren’t available until August, some schools will ask students to take their own entrance exams and have an interview before they will offer a place. The place is offered on the condition that the student passes their GCSE exams.
  • Some schools won’t take students who are already 17 into the 6th Form. If your child will be 17 by the time they take their GCSE exams, it may be more appropriate for them to go to a college to study A level, International Baccalaureate or a foundation course for university or a further education college. We offer summer preparatory programmes for GCSEs, A-levels and International Baccalaureate.
  • Places at good schools fill up very quickly. Parents should apply for their child’s next school one year in advance. Bell Bedgebury International School helps parents, agents and guardians apply for the right school for each student through the academic counselling process, which starts as soon as your child arrives.

If you are not sure about the best entry point for your child’s education in the UK or you would like advice about schools, please contact us.

The chart below shows how secondary education is organised. The rows in green show how Bell Bedgebury International School can help your child enter a top UK school in one year. The rows in red show how Bell Bedgebury International School can help your child enter a top UK school in two years.

Age on 31 August Year of study Level of Attainment / National  Examinations Next Stage
12 8 Towards Keystage 3 Keystage 3
13 9 Keystage 3 Towards GCSE
14 10 Towards GCSE GCSE
15   11 GCSE
You need 5 passes at grades A* - C to continue to the next stage.  		 AS level / Towards IB
Bell Bedgebury one year GCSE
15 - 17		 10 & 11 together 5 GCSE passes at grades A* - C A top UK boarding school to study A-levels / IB

or

college to study A-levels / IB /
pre-university foundation course  
17
18
(The Sixth Form)		 12
13		 A-levels or IB.
You need 3 good passes at A-level or a good pass at IB to go to university		 University / College

Notes:

  • GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education. Visit www.cie.org.uk for more information.
  • IB = International Baccalaureate. Visit www.ibo.org for more information.
  • A-level = AS level (year 12) and A2 level (year 13)