What is the UK equivalent of highschool?

The closest equivalent is a 'secondary school', and indeed some English secondary schools have 'high school' in their name. But the school system in England does not quite line up with the system that most Americans would be familiar with.

What is high school in the UK called?

Secondary school is the next step up from primary school. Secondary schools are often called high schools or middle school in United States. In Britain, secondary schools may be public schools, grammar schools or comprehensive schools.

What is high school compared to UK?

In the US system, less emphasis is placed on examinations and students study general subjects until the end of high school, which is Grade 12, the UK equivalent of Year 13. In the United States, most children attend preschool part-time, but state-provided education does not start until Kindergarten (Year 1 in the UK).

What would high school be in the UK?

The first thing to know is that high school is generally referred to as secondary school in most of the UK, aside from Scotland. Unlike in America's high schools, pupils go to secondary school from age 11, up until at least age 16.

Is GCSE equivalent to US high school diploma?

Academic rigor and skills

For example, IGCSEs and GCSEs are considered equivalent to a United States high school diploma according to UCAS — even though IGCSEs are completed at age 16, two years before students would ordinarily finish the US high school diploma.

The UK Education System - What You Need To Know

Is year 11 high school UK?

Year 11 is an important year in the British Education system as students take their GCSE exams. Students are usually aged 15 or 16 in Year 11 and it is the last year of compulsory secondary education in the UK.

How does British high school work?

In the last two years of secondary education, which are called Year 10 and Year 11, starting at age 14, students prepare for GCSE exams that are taken after two years (General Certificate of Secondary Education). In the UK school system, during the GCSE programme, students study between 9 and 12 subjects.

Can my 14 year old go to college instead of school UK?

Details. Further education and sixth-form colleges are able to enrol students aged 14 to 16 on a full-time study programme and receive funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency ( ESFA ).

What are the school levels in the UK?

Across the UK there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary, Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16.

Is high school the same as secondary school in UK?

“High school” is the American name for secondary school, which normally refers to a school where children are aged between 14 and 18. However, some UK schools have “high school” in their names. In the UK, the term “college” normally describes a further education institution for children aged 16 to 18.

Do people say high school in the UK?

'Officially' it's called secondary school, in the UK. That said, many people in the UK will refer to it as 'high school'. It's technically an Americanism, but also used in the official names of many secondary schools throughout the country.

Do Brits call high school college?

No. “College” in the UK refers to tertiary education. Someone of 17 or so, leaving “secondary school”, might to on to a technical college to learn a skill, or they might go to the kind of university that has individual “colleges” in it, such as Oxbridge and St Andrews.

Is us or UK education harder?

It's difficult to say whether the British education system is harder than the American education system because both systems have their own unique challenges and strengths. In the UK, there is a strong emphasis on independent learning and critical thinking, with a heavier focus on exams and a more narrow subject focus.

Is a secondary school the same as a high school?

Simply put, there is no such thing as secondary school in the United States. Technically speaking, and by definition, middle school (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12) can be considered part of secondary school because they are offered after elementary school.

What do Brits call College?

In the UK, higher education (what Americans call "college") is known as “university.” “College” actually has another meaning in the UK — it's where many students go for two years after completing compulsory schooling at 16 in order to prepare for exams to get into university.

Can I legally leave school at 16 UK?

You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you'll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. You must then do one of the following until you're 18: stay in full-time education, for example at a college.

Can a 13 year old drop out of school UK?

Under previous legislation it was compulsory for young people to remain in education until the age of 16. However, as a result of legislation introduced in September 2013, the law now requires that young people continue in education, employment or training until the age of 18.

What happens if my 15 year old refuses to go to school UK?

You'll get a School Attendance Order if the local council thinks your child is not getting an education. You have 15 days to provide evidence that you've registered your child with the school listed in the order or that you're giving them home education. If you do not, you could be prosecuted or given a fine.

Is high school called high school in England?

But this means English "secondary school" isn't even their "high school" in the sense that US "high school" is the "highest school" you attend before University. It's more like an extended US "middle school" before Sixth Form or College, which should be considered UK "High School" IMHO.

What age do Brits start high school?

Students in grade 9 are aged 14 to 15, while students in grade 12 are aged 17 to 18. Therefore, High School students are 14 to 18 years old.

Is high school Mandatory in England?

Primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK; after age 16, education is optional.

How do I drop a GCSE?

Dropping Option Subjects

In this scenario, permission should be requested via the Year Leader who will pass on the request to the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral). No requests will be granted before there has been a meeting with the Headteacher to discuss the issue unless they produce a letter from a consultant.

How many GCSEs do you take?

How many GCSEs do you need to take? You're required to take a minimum of five subjects, but most students choose between nine and ten. The exact number can vary based on your academic ability and school resources.

When did I start secondary school UK?

Secondary school in the UK commences with Year 7 in England and Wales, Secondary 1 in Scotland and Year 8 in Northern Ireland. Most children start secondary school at the age of 11 or 12 years old.