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Wales : Education Structure (ages 3-19)


Last updated: 06-Mar-2008

3.2 Educational phases (ages 3-19)

An educational phase is a defined school or stage in the child's education, which is normally defined by legislation or regulation and which is characterised by the age of students, school type and curriculum and assessment arrangements. The curriculum and assessment frameworks described in this Archive are related to the separate phases in each country.

3.2.1 First phase: Pre-compulsory education (ages 2/3 - 4/5)

The School Standards and Framework Act 19983 defines nursery education as full-time or part-time education suitable for children who have not attained compulsory school age (usually the term after a child's fifth birthday), whether provided at schools (usually nursery schools, or nursery classes or reception classes in primary schools) or elsewhere.45

Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships and Plans

The School Standards and Framework Act 19983 also requires local authorities (LAs) to set up Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships for the provision of pre-school education and childcare, and to submit Early Years Development and Childcare Plans to the National Assembly for Wales (NAfW).45

Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships are expected to involve the private and voluntary sectors, who work as pre-school education providers in collaboration with LAs and consequently receive some government funding.45

Early Years Development and Childcare Plans usually consist of a statement of proposals outlining how LAs will work with voluntary groups, the private sector and employers to provide the statutory provision required (currently this is at least a part-time, good-quality free place for every 3- and 4-year-old whose parents require one). It is also intended that, wherever possible, provision for children with special educational needs (SEN) should be integrated within Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships and Plans. 45 144

Nursery provision in maintained schools

Within the maintained schools sector, pre-compulsory nursery education is provided in nursery schools and nursery classes of primary schools. Children are not usually admitted before their third birthday.45

Other nursery provision

Other nursery provision is made by groups of parents, or voluntary, private or independent bodies in, for example, private nursery schools, nursery classes attached to independent schools and pre-school playgroups. Private and voluntary nursery schools must register with the local social services authority under the Children Act 1989.12 Admission age varies between groups; 2½ and 3 years are common starting ages.45

During this phase, a few institutions target specific groups of children. For example, playgroups run by the Wales Pre-School Playgroups Association (PPA Cymru) and Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (the Association of Welsh-speaking Playgroups) provide places for very young children with special educational needs through a special needs referral scheme. This offers learning and development through play for children with disabilities and other special needs, often alongside other children.16

There are also both public and private day nurseries providing day care for children under the age of 5. These are usually open from around 7.30 a.m. to around 6.00 p.m. throughout the year. Many establishments cater for children from the age of three months onwards.45

Proposed new 'Foundation Phase'

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.

3.2.1.1 Admissions criteria

Nursery schools and classes normally admit children from the age of 3 years.45

Parents have a right to express a preference for a particular nursery institution for their child. Parents initially look to the local authority (LA) for guidance on the places available locally. In accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998,3 these may be places in nursery education provided directly by the LA, or in other institutions (voluntary, private, etc.) which, as part of an Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (see 2.1.1 and 3.2.1), receive some financial assistance from the National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) in respect of the eligible 3- and 4-year-olds they educate.145

In cases where demand for places exceeds the places available, institutions follow their own admissions policy. Admissions criteria may include the proximity to the school of the child s home, whether the child has any brothers or sisters already attending the school, transport links, catchment areas, medical or social grounds, and parental ranking of preference.145

Although attendance in pre-school education is not compulsory, it is widespread and increasing. As a result of recent changes to government pre-school provision policy, all LAs have a statutory duty to secure a good-quality, free (part-time) place for all 3- and 4-year-olds whose parents want one.43, 145

3.2.1.2 Length of school year (in days) and day (in hours)

Most children who attend publicly-funded nursery classes or schools attend for five half-day sessions per week in term time, each session lasting at least two-and-a-half hours, although some children attend maintained schools for five full days a week45

3.2.2 Second phase: Compulsory primary education (ages 4/5 - 11)

In general, primary education covers children who have reached, or are approaching, compulsory school age (age 5) up to the age of 11. Children are not normally obliged to start primary school until the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday, although many children start school earlier. However, some primary schools also have a nursery class, which provides pre-primary education for 3- and 4-year-olds. In some areas, there are separate schools for infant age children (Key Stage 1, aged 5 to 7) (called 'infant schools') and junior age children (Key Stage 2, aged 7 to 11) (termed 'junior schools'). Primary school children usually transfer to secondary education at the age of 11 years.45, 145

In Wales, the primary school normally has seven year groups and comprises two key stages. See the table which follows:

AGE

KEY STAGE

DESCRIPTION

5 or under

-

Reception class

5 - 7

1

Years 1 and 2

7 - 11

2

Years 3, 4, 5 and 6

 45

The reception class often includes younger children who have been admitted to school before they have reached compulsory school age (the term after a child reaches the age of 5 years).45

Under the terms of the Education Act 1996 children of compulsory school age may be educated outside school.6 (See section 3.1)

All primary schools in Wales which are maintained schools are non-selective and accept children regardless of ability. Schools are generally co-educational, although single-sex schools do exist.45 

Some primary schools are Welsh-speaking, teaching all subjects (apart from English) through the medium of Welsh. Other schools may be bilingual; others teach all subjects through the medium of English with Welsh being taught as a foreign language.  In January 2006, there were 458 Welsh-speaking primary schools (29 per cent of the total number), catering for 52,867 children. 206

Most children aged 4/5 to 11 are taught in mixed-ability classes with children of the same age, with one teacher in charge of the class. A teacher normally stays with a class for one school year, and at the end of each school year, children normally progress to the next class. However, many primary schools, particularly small schools, have one or more mixed-aged classes, in which case the children might stay in the same class for more than one year. 45

Proposed new 'Foundation Phase'

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. As a result, the formal learning which children aged 5 to 7 (in Key Stage 1 of primary education) currently experience looks likely to be replaced by a more informal system of learning based on well-structured play, practical activity and investigation. A pilot project for the foundation phase began in September 2004 and the statutory rollout of the foundation phase will be implemented gradually starting from September 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.

3.2.2.1 Admissions criteria

There is a Code of Practice for school admissions in Wales.

Admissions policy

A school's admissions policy is established by the relevant admissions authority, which is either the local authority (LA) or the school governing body, depending on the category of school and the arrangements between the LA and the school. This policy must contain legally specified information. It must, for example, state how many children may be admitted to the school in any one year. This 'standard number' is agreed by the National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) when the school is established, and is set with reference to a school's capacity to accommodate children and to any class size limits which apply. The admissions policy must also describe the application procedure and explain how places will be allocated if there are more applications than places at the school. For example, priority may be given to children who live closest to the school, to children who already have brothers or sisters at the school, or to children who live within the catchment area. The criteria used to determine which children will gain a place in these circumstances must be within the constraints of the law and the admissions policy must be published annually in the school's own prospectus. School governing bodies are under a duty to publish information about their schools, and LAs must publish information about admissions arrangements for all mainstream maintained schools in their area.145

Academic selection should not be used to decide entry into primary education.145

Parental preference

Parents can express a preference for the school they wish their child to attend. A place at the chosen school must be provided unless all the places have already been offered to students who have a stronger claim under the school's published admissions policy. When allocating places, LAs must take account of expressed parental preferences ahead of those who have expressed no preference and before operating any other local allocation policy. Religious denomination schools may, however, keep places empty if applicants do not meet their criteria for entry. Parents have a legal right of appeal if a place is not offered at the school of their choice.145

3.2.2.2 Length of school year (in days) and day (in hours)

The primary school year consists of 380 half-day sessions. The actual dates of terms and holidays are determined annually by the local authority (LA) Education Committee in consultation with the school governing bodies of LA-maintained schools. In general, the school year runs from the first week of September to the third week of July. It is divided into three terms, with a long summer break of about six weeks in July and August, shorter breaks of two to three weeks at Christmas and Easter, and one week in the middle of each term. The school week normally runs from Monday to Friday.45

The school day is divided into two sessions, one in the morning (usually between 9 a.m. and 12 noon) and one in the afternoon (usually between around 1 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.). There is no fixed number of lessons per week. Recommended minimum weekly lesson times (excluding breaks and collective worship) are 21 hours for children aged 5 to 7 years (Key Stage 1), and at least 23.5 hours for children aged 7+ to 11 years (Key Stage 2).69, 138, 45

3.2.3 Third phase: Compulsory secondary education (ages 11 - 16)

Secondary schools provide a compulsory, general, lower secondary education for students in Key Stage 3 (age 11 to 14) and Key Stage 4 (age 14 to 16), although some schools also cater for students of post-compulsory age up to age 18.  Compulsory secondary education lasts until the student is 16 years of age. Secondary schools admit students at age 11.45

The vast majority of secondary schools which are maintained schools (that is, publicly-funded) are non-selective and accept students regardless of ability. These are known as comprehensive schools. Schools are generally co-educational, although single-sex schools do exist.45

In line with previous legislation, some secondary schools in Wales may be partially selective, that is, they may select some of their students based on overall academic aptitude. Such schools are rare in Wales. There are no schools in Wales which are wholly selective by academic ability or by aptitude. The scope for partial selection was significantly reduced by the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act.3

Some secondary schools are Welsh-speaking, teaching all subjects (apart from English) through the medium of Welsh. Other schools may be bilingual; others teach all subjects through the medium of English with Welsh being taught as a foreign language.  In January 2006, the percentage of students in compulsory secondary education who were taught Welsh as a first language rose to 15.2 per cent, with a further 83.9 per cent taught Welsh as a second language. 206

3.2.3.1 Admissions criteria

There is a Code of Practice for school admissions in Wales.

Admissions policy

A school's admissions policy is established by the relevant admissions authority, which is either the local authority (LA) or the school governing body, depending on the category of school and the arrangements between the LA and the school. This policy must contain legally specified information. It must, for example, state how many students may be admitted to the school in a given year. This 'standard number' is agreed by the National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) when the school is established, and is set with reference to a school's capacity to accommodate students and to any class size limits which may apply. The admissions policy must also describe the application procedure and explain how places will be allocated if there are more applications than places at the school. For example, priority may be given to students who live closest to the school, to those who already have brothers or sisters at the school, to those who live within the catchment area, or to students who attended designated 'feeder' primary schools. The criteria used to determine which students will gain a place in these circumstances must be within the constraints of the law and the admissions policy must be published annually in the school's own prospectus. School governing bodies are under a duty to publish information about their schools, and LAs must publish information about admissions arrangements for all mainstream maintained schools in their area.140

Parental preference

Parents can express a preference for the school they wish their child to attend. A place at the chosen school must be provided unless all the places have already been offered to students who have a stronger claim under the school s published admissions policy. When allocating places, LAs must take account of expressed parental preferences ahead of those who have expressed no preference and before operating any other local allocation policy. Religious denomination schools may, however, keep places empty if applicants do not meet their criteria for entry. Parents have a legal right of appeal if a place is not offered at the school of their choice.145

3.2.3.2 Length of school year (in days) and day (in hours)

The school year consists of 380 half-day sessions. The actual dates of terms and holidays are determined annually by the local authority (LA) Education Committee, in consultation with the school governing bodies of LA-maintained schools. In general, the school year runs from the first week of September to the third week of July. It is divided into three terms, with a long summer break of about six weeks in July and August, shorter breaks of two to three weeks at Christmas and Easter, and one week in the middle of each term. The school week normally runs from Monday to Friday.45

The school day is divided into two sessions, one in the morning (usually between 9 a.m. and 12 noon) and one in the afternoon (usually between 1 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.). There is no fixed number of lessons per week. Recommended minimum weekly lesson times (excluding breaks and collective worship) are 25 hours for students at Key Stages 3 and 4 (ages 11 to 16).40, 45

3.2.4 Fourth phase: Post-compulsory secondary education (ages 16 - 18)

Full-time post-compulsory upper secondary education is offered in the sixth form of many secondary schools, where it is considered to be secondary education (and subject to Schools Regulations). Post-compulsory education is also provided in sixth form colleges and in further education institutions, where separate legislation applies.9, 45

Students in post-compulsory education in schools and further education institutions can take either vocational or academic courses or a combination of both.45

There are several types of further education institution:

Further education colleges provide full- or part-time education and training for students over compulsory school-leaving age (16). Further education colleges traditionally offered courses of a vocational nature, but many now also offer general, academic courses. There are some specialist further education colleges, which provide courses in a specific area of the curriculum such as art, or in a vocational area such as agriculture.45

Sixth form colleges were formerly governed by Schools Regulations and originally offered full-time academic courses to students over compulsory school-leaving age (16). However, the Further and Higher Education Act 1992151 brought these into the further education sector and they may now offer the full range of (vocational and general) further education courses, both full- and part-time.45

Tertiary colleges combine the functions of a further education college and a sixth form college. Some may have been formed from the amalgamation of a sixth form college and a further education college. All provide a full range of academic and vocational courses.45

3.2.4.1 Admissions criteria

There are no official qualifications required for admission to the sixth form of a secondary school, but schools generally set their own admissions requirements. For example, schools commonly ask for a minimum of five GCSE passes at grades A* to C (where A is the highest, see 6.3.6) for admission to GCE 'A' Level courses (see section 6.4). Admissions criteria often also include the achievement of good GCSE passes in the subjects to be studied at GCE 'A' Level.45

Similarly, there are no formal qualifications required for admission to an institution of further education, although individual courses may have specific requirements. For example, to begin a course of two or more GCE A Levels, most institutions require students to have a minimum of four or five GCSEs at grades A-C (where A is the highest).45, 20

3.2.4.2 Length of school year (in days) and day (in hours)

Where post-compulsory upper secondary education is provided in schools, the school year consists of 380 half-day sessions. The actual dates of terms and holidays are determined annually by the local authority (LA) Education Committee, in consultation with the school governing bodies of LA-maintained schools. In general, the school year runs from the first week of September to the third week of July. It is divided into three terms, with a long summer break of about six weeks in July and August, shorter breaks of two to three weeks at Christmas and Easter, and one week in the middle of each term. The school week normally runs from Monday to Friday.44, 45

The school day is divided into two sessions, one in the morning (usually between 9 a.m. and 12 noon) and one in the afternoon (usually between 1 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.). There is no fixed number of lessons per week.40, 45

The full academic year in further education institutions runs from 1 August to 31 July, although the teaching year is generally shorter. Full-time students usually attend for three terms per year, with holidays at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. However, courses in all types of institutions which offer post-compulsory education vary in their duration and in the number of teaching hours per week. Some courses are offered on a sandwich course basis (alternating periods of academic study with periods of work experience). Intensive courses may also be provided for a short period, which may include the summer holiday period. Unlike most schools, institutions of further education operate three sessions per day: morning, afternoon and evening sessions.45

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