'Primary education' is compulsory between
the ages of 5 and 11 in England, Wales and Scotland (4 and 11 in Northern
Ireland). |
'Secondary education' is compulsory
across the UK between 11 and 16.
(In England, the Department
for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has confirmed plans to raise
the 'school leaving age' in England to 18 by 2013.)
Most pupils will move from a primary school
to a secondary school at age 11, although in some areas middle schools
exist to cater for children from the age of 8 or 9 to 12 or 13.
|
Post-16 education provision is provided
by a number of institutions - many secondary schools will provide 'tertiary
education' for ages 16+ to 18+.
Provision is also available from sixth
form colleges or tertiary colleges (England and Wales only) and also further
education colleges (FECs).
Secondary schools and sixth form colleges
offer general education with further education colleges generally putting
a greater emphasis on vocational coureses. Tertiary colleges offer both
general and vocational education.
|
Further education colleges and many
sixth form centres provide various courses for students of all ages. |
'Higher education' is provided by a
number of universities, higher education colleges and a small number of
university colleges (HEIs). |
