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British Mainstream Education

Continuing your child’s education in Great Britain for Polish immigrants

Schooling in England: a guide for migrant parents and practitioners

In June 2016 a new toolkit Schooling in England: a toolkit for migrant parents and practitioners was published by specialists from Middlesex University London and the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC).

The toolkit was created primarily for newly arrived migrant parents but it may also be useful for teachers working with migrants, local authorities, organisations working with migrant families and other practitioners who assist migrant children or migrant families.

The toolkit in Polish and English versions is available here.

How to start – Q&A:

My family has just come to the UK or we are planning to come to the UK soon. What should we do to provide continuity of education for our child?

Currently in the UK education is obligatory until the age of 17. This regulation was introduced in September 2013 (until then the school leaving age was 16) .

In England and Wales system of education covers four levels:

  1. Primary school – (ages 5-11)
  2. Secondary school – (ages 11-17)
  3. Further education – (ages 17-19)
  4. Higher education – (post A-level, over 18)

Children under the age of 17

All children in England between the ages of 5 and 17 are entitled to a free place at a state school. Most state schools have to follow the national curriculum. The most common types of school are:

  • Community schools: are controlled by the local council and not influenced by business or religious groups.
  • Foundation schools: have more freedom to change the way they do things than community schools.
  • Academies: are publicly-funded independent schools. Some academies get funding from sponsors, business, faith or voluntary groups. They also get money direct from the government, not the local council. They are run by a governing body which employs the staff. Academies do not have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times and school hours. They still have to follow the same rules on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools.
  • Grammar schools: are run by the council, a foundation body or a trust – they select all or most of their pupils based on academic ability and there is often an entrance exam.
  • Private schools or independent schools: charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. These schools do not have to follow the national curriculum.
  • Other schools: There are also faith and special needs schools.

Parents who want to enrol their children to the UK school should first contact their local council. The Council’s education department will guide parents through all the regulations regarding the admission process.

All schools have admission requirements that clearly set out how children will be admitted, including the criteria that will be applied if there are more applications than places at the school. Admission requirements are determined by admission authorities.

Primary and secondary education is divided into four stages which concludes with examinations. Pupils take examinations at the age of 7, 11, 14, 16. The last of these, the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), gives access to further education in colleges or leads to the start of employment.

It is possible to apply for a place at a state primary or secondary school online (thos service is available only in England) or by using your Council’s application form.

For more information please go to the Department for Education website, where you can find out what types of schools are available in the UK and other useful information.

Children aged 16-18

At the age of 16 children usually take GCSE examinations which are needed to continue their education. A-level examinations are taken after two years’ study (the English equivalent of Polish matriculation exams).

Further education (FE) includes any study after secondary education that is not part of higher education, i.e., not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree. Courses range from basic English and Mathematics to Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).

Many courses in reading, writing and basic mathematics are free, and you may not have to pay for tuition if you are under 24 and studying for your first qualification equivalent to GCSE or A-level. If you are aged 16 or 17 you can study a further education (FE) course full-time at school or college, or part-time while at work.

If you are coming towards the end of a school or college course, you are guaranteed a place on an FE course the following autumn if you are under 18 years old. Contact your school or local Council to find out what’s on offer.

What are sixth-form colleges and what type of education do they provide?

Sixth-form colleges are not part of the schools sector but are independent, autonomous institutions and an important part of the strong, coherent and diverse 16-19 provider base that forms the educational marketplace for young people and adults. The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 inserted new provisions into the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 to make provision for a new legally distinct sixth-form college sector. Schools regulations and legislation do not apply to sixth-form colleges.

Young people aged 18 and above

After completing A-level examinations young people can continue their education at universities and colleges as well as completing General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) or studying towards the Diploma.

What is the Diploma?

The Diploma is a qualification for students aged 14 to 19 that combines academic and vocational learning. The Diploma has been developed in conjunction with employers, universities, schools and colleges, and provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to progress to further/higher education and employment.

All Diplomas are available at Foundation (level 1), Higher (level 2) and Advanced (level 3) levels. Fourteen Diplomas are available to schools and colleges. These are: Engineering; IT; Creative and media; Construction and the built environment; Society, health and development; Hair and beauty studies; Environment and land-based studies; Hospitality; Business administration and finance; Manufacturing and product design; Travel and tourism; Public services; Retail business; Sport and active leisure.

What are GNVQs and NVQs?

GNVQs – General National Vocational Qualifications combine elements of academic courses with vocational learning. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) provide only vocational learning based on skills, knowledge and qualifications required by employers.