Structure and

Administration of Unit III

Education
 The education system in the UK is divided into four
main parts
❖ primary education,
❖ secondary education,
❖ further education and
❖ higher education.
❖ Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and
secondary education which runs from about 5 years old
until the student is 16 years of old.
❖ The education system in the UK is also split into
"key stages" which breaks down as follows

• Key Stage 1: 5 to 7 years old. Primary School

• Key Stage 2: 7 to 11 years old
• Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old
Secondary School
• Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old

At age 16 students pursue their GCSE's or General

Certificate of Secondary Education
 UK- Primary Education

Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues

until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under the
UK educational system.
 UK- Secondary Education
From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for
key stages three and four and to start their move towards
taking the GCSE's - learn more about secondary education
in the UK and what it will involve. Primary and secondary
education is mandatory in the UK; after age 16, education is
optional.
 UK-Further Education
Once a student finishes secondary education they have the
option to extend into further education to take their A-Levels,
GNVQ’s (General National Vocational Qualifications), BTEC’s
(Business and Technology Education Council) or other such
qualifications. UK students planning to go to college or university
must complete further education.
 UK-Higher Education
Probably the most important subject area on this site, this
explains more about the higher education system in the UK and
how it works for international students. Most international
students will enter directly into the UK higher education system,
after completing their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s
“further education.”
 UK- Degree Online
With online programs growing in popularity, this means the availability of
top-notch online programs is also on the rise. If you want to obtain a UK
accredited degree without having to relocate to the United Kingdom,
choosing to study online is a good option for you. Getting a UK accredited
degree online allows you to fit your studies into your schedule and save
money on travel costs while having access to a variety of top programs.
 National Structure of the Education System of the UK

The United Kingdom is divided into 4 countries; England,

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Education is a
devolved matter in each country, and as such each country
has the authority to legislate over matters regarding
education in its own jurisdiction.
 National Structure of the Education System of the UK

The government departments responsible for education in

each country :

The Department of Children, Schools and Families in

England; The Department for Education, Lifelong Learning
and Skills in Wales; The Education and Lifelong Learning
Department in Scotland; and The Department of Education for
Northern Ireland.
 State Maintained Schools
Community schools

A Community school is run by the local authority, which

employs the staff, owns the land and buildings and decides
which admissions criteria to use
 State Maintained Schools
Foundation schools

Foundation schools are run by their own governing body, which

employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria. Land and
buildings are often owned by the governing body or a charitable
foundation.

 State Maintained Schools
Voluntary-aided schools

Voluntary-aided schools are mainly religious schools, although anyone

can apply for a place. The structure is similar to Foundation schools;
the governing body employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria.
School buildings and land are normally owned by a charitable
foundation, often a religious organisation.
 State Maintained Schools

Voluntary-controlled schools

Voluntary-controlled schools are similar to voluntary aided schools,

but are run by the local authority, which employs the school's staff
and sets the admissions criteria. School land and buildings are
often owned by a religious organisation, which also appoints some
of the members of the governing body.
 Trust Schools: A Trust school is similar to a Foundation school,
but it forms a charitable trust with an outside partner.


Specialist schools: Specialist schools focus on a particular subject

area, but still follow the National Curriculum. The subject areas
include sports, technology or visual arts.
Academies: Academies are independently run schools set up by
sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups in partnership and
the local authority. Together they fund the land and buildings and
the government covers the running costs.

City Technology Colleges: City Technology Colleges are
independently run state maintained schools for pupils of all abilities
aged 11 to 18. They often focus on science and technology and offer a
range of vocational qualifications as well as GCSEs and A levels.
Community and foundation special schools: Special schools
provide for children with special educational needs.


Faith schools: Faith schools are mostly run in the same way as
other state maintained schools, although their faith status may be
reflected in their religious education curriculum, admissions
criteria and staffing policies.

Grammar schools: Grammar schools select all or a majority of

their pupils based on academic ability.

Maintained boarding schools: Maintained boarding schools

provide free tuition, but impose fees for board and lodging.
 Education System

Nursery school
Primary school
Middle school
Secondary education
Special education
Education System of UK- Characteristics

❖ Compulsory
❖ Free
❖ According to wishes of parents
❖ Co- curricular activities
❖ Teacher professional preparation and
academic freedom
❖ Public supported schools
 Education System of UK- Constitutional provisions

❖ Education Minister and local Education Authorities

❖ Religious Education
❖ Compulsory schooling
❖ Duty of parents
❖ School health services
❖ No tuition fee
❖ Special education
❖ Boarding education
❖ Training of teachers
Education System of UK- Federal Acts

❖ Higher Education Facilities Act (1962)

❖ The Vocational Education Act (1963)
❖ Economic Opportunity Act (1964)
❖ The Elementary and Secondary Education
Act (1965)
❖ The International Education Act (1966)