Education in Northern Ireland
Education in Northern Ireland may differ from the system used elsewhere in the
United Kingdom. Basically, there are two systems: one covering
England,
Wales and
Northern Ireland and one covering
Scotland. The two
education systems have different emphases. Traditionally the English, Welsh and Northern Irish system has emphasised depth of education whereas the Scottish system has emphasised breadth. Thus English, Welsh and Northern Irish students tend to sit a small number of more advanced examinations and Scottish students tend to sit a larger number of less advanced examinations.
In general, the cut-off point for ages is the end of August, so all children must be of a particular age on the 1st of September in order to begin class that month.
School years
- Primary Education
- Infant School or Primary School
- Reception, age 4 to 5
- Year 1, age 5 to 6
- Year 2, age 6 to 7 (KS1 National Curriculum Tests - England only)
- Junior School or Primary School
- Year 3, age 7 to 8
- Year 4, age 8 to 9
- Year 5, age 9 to 10
- Year 6, age 10 to 11 (Eleven plus exams in some areas of England, KS2 National Curriculum Tests)
- Secondary Education
- Middle School, High School or Secondary School
- Year 7, old First Form, age 11 to 12
- Year 8, old Second Form, age 12 to 13
- Year 9, old Third Form, age 13 to 14 (KS3 National Curriculum Tests, known as SATs (Standard Assessment Tests))
- Upper School or Secondary School
- Year 10, old Fourth Form, age 14 to 15
- Year 11, old Fifth Form, age 15 to 16 (old O-Level examinations, modern GCSE examinations)
- Upper School, Secondary School, or Sixth Form College
- Year 12 or Lower Sixth, age 16 to 17 (AS-level examinations)
- Year 13 or Upper Sixth, age 17 to 18 (A2-level examinations. Both AS-levels and A2-levels count towards A-levels.)
In some regions of England, pupils attend a Lower School until age 9, a Middle School between 9 and 13, and then a High School or Upper School.
See also