INCA Education around the world
Wales : Education Structure (ages 3-19)
3.1 Compulsory education
In Wales, education is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16.45
Children must start school in the term following their fifth birthday (unless alternative provision is made); however, many children start school earlier. The statutory school leaving age is 16. There is one date when young people can legally leave school and take a full-time job. That date is the last Friday in June in the academic year (September to July) in which the student reaches the age of 16. 45
Children may be educated at home; parents have a duty to ensure that children of compulsory school age (5-16) receive an "efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, and to any special educational needs (SEN) they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise".6
| Phase of education |
Year/ grade key |
Typical age | ||||
|
Higher and further education |
Further education institutions (such as further education [FE] colleges, tertiary colleges, specialist colleges and adult education centres) |
Higher education institutions (universities and other higher education institutions) |
18 + | |||
|
Upper secondary education |
GCE 'A' Levels, GCE 'AS' Level examinations and GCE 'A' Levels in applied subjects (formerly Advanced Vocational Certificates of Education (AVCEs) (taken at age 17/18) provide access to higher and further education and the world of work | |||||
|
Further education institutions |
School sixth forms and sixth form colleges |
17 - 18 | ||||
|
16 - 17 | ||||||
|
General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) and GCSEs in vocational subjects provide access to post-compulsory general/academic and vocational studies and the world of work | ||||||
|
Secondary schools |
Key Stage 4 |
Year 11 (Y11) |
15 - 16 | |||
|
Y10 |
14 - 15 | |||||
|
Lower secondary education |
Key Stage 3 |
Y9 |
13 - 14 | |||
|
Y8 |
12 - 13 | |||||
|
Y7 |
11 - 12 | |||||
|
Primary education |
Primary schools *** |
Key Stage 2 |
Y6 |
10 - 11 | ||
|
Y5 |
9 - 10 | |||||
|
Y4 |
8 - 9 | |||||
|
Y3 |
7 - 8 | |||||
|
Key Stage 1 |
Y2 |
6 - 7 ** | ||||
|
Y1 |
5 - 6 ** | |||||
| Reception classes (R) in primary schools |
R |
4 - 5 ** | ||||
|
Pre-school and nursery education |
Pre-school settings which include pre-school groups, playgroups, day nurseries, nursery centres and nursery schools. |
3 - 4 ** | ||||
|
0 - 3 | ||||||
Bold = compulsory education
** Following a consultation in 2003, the National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) is planning to introduce a 'foundation phase' of education for 3- to 7-year-olds. A pilot project for the foundation phase began in September 2004 and will be implemented gradually through a rolling programme running until 2008. To assist pilot schools and centres, a draft "Framework for Children's Learning" for the foundation phase has been produced. This provides good practice for schools and settings to follow. Guidance on children's learning and assessment is also being produced to support the system of continuous assessment based on observation recommended during this phase. For further information, see the Foundation Phase website at http://www.learning.wales.gov.uk/foundationphase/whats-new-e.htm. This website also provides access to the draft Framework for Children's Learning.
*** In some areas, there are separate schools for children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, known as 'infant schools' and 'junior schools' respectively.
