Schooling is compulsory for all English children from the age of 5 to 16. The academic year in England runs from September to July and is divided into 3 terms. Autumn Term is from the beginning of September to mid-December. Spring Term is from the beginning of January to mid-March and Summer Term from early April to mid-July. Each term is separated by a one-week break called half term, usually at the end of October, mid-February and the end of May.

There are two parallel school systems in England. The first is the state school system, which is free for all students and paid for by the state. The second category is the ‘independent’ or ‘public’ school system, which is fee-paying. The state school system, which educates 93% of the pupils in England, can be divided into two levels of education: primary education and secondary education.

See the Table below for more information about the school education system in England.

The National Curriculum is set by the government and must be followed in all state schools. It is made up of the following subjects: English, Design & Technology, Geography, Maths, Information Technology, Music, Science, Arts, Physical Education, History, and a Modern Foreign Language. English, Maths and Science are core subjects, which are compulsory in the national examinations at certain stages of the school education system.