There are schools run by the Government. These schools are known as State Schools and parents do not pay. They are financed by public funds, which means that the money comes from the national and local taxes. Ninety percent of children in England and Wales attend a state school.

There are also private schools. Parents pay for their children to attend these schools. They are known as Independent Schools

Primary schools (5 - 11 year olds)
In the UK, the first level of education is known as primary education.

Secondary schools (5 - 16 year olds)
Secondary schools provide compulsory education for children between the ages of eleven and sixteen in England and Wales. Children may stay on at school until the age of eighteen in order to pursue further studies, however this is not compulsory.

From the ages of fourteen to sixteen, pupils study for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).

Pupils who stay on at school from the ages of sixteen to eighteen in England, may take the Advanced (A) level examination, which traditionally is required for entry into higher education.

*Key stage 1 includes pupils who are in Year 1 and Year 2, plus the pupils who are in the reception class who have reached compulsory school age.