For families moving to the UK with children, the choice of school is paramount to the success of the relocation.  The school search should therefore be informed by the place of work and precede the home search in terms of priority.  It is important to be informed about all education options at the start in order to decide on the best type of schooling for your child.  Previous education experience, ability and English language capability all play a role.  You should also consider where you might be in two to four years time because this will be an important factor in school choice.  Education is compulsory for all children age 4-16 resident in the UK. School Systems Available Independent Schools (private fee-paying schools) – also known as Private or Public Schools, and attended by about 7% of the UK school population.  Children of all ages take assessment tests and are interviewed in order to be admitted.  State Schools - also known as State Maintained Schools, provide free of charge education to 4-18 year old children resident in the UK.  The Local Education Authority (LEA) is required to offer a place at one of its schools, but its offer may differ from the parent’s choice and will depend on vacancies in the relevant year and proof of residence in the so-called school “catchment” area.  Most of the best state schools are also highly selective using exam type testing and interview. National and Bi-Lingual Schools - a wide variety of national curricula can be found in the London area, including American, Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish  & Swedish.  Each has its own admissions process. American/International Schools - these schools either follow the American College Preparatory Curriculum and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB) system.  Most offer English as a First Language and English as a Second Language programs.  They are all fee-based schools.  Application is in writing although visits are encouraged. Local Education Authority (State System) The Local education Authorities or LEAs offer information on schools (including both Faith and Secular schools), available places and provide in-year admissions support.  They also provide an Independent Appeals Process for parents/guardians unhappy with school offer. If considering the State System you should visit the LEA, request both school brochures and annual school reports to parents as well as the all-important Ofsted Inspection reports.  Ofsted www.ofsted.gov.uk  is the official government body for inspecting schools.  The LEA defines children with learning difficulties as SENs (Special Educational Needs) but parents need a written statement for an SEN child before a school will provide SEN teaching support.  All schools must have an SEN teacher and SEN policy available for parents. Some schools offer better support than others.   In areas with high ethnic populations, bi-lingual support is provided for EAL (English as an Additional Language) students.  Expertise is however geographically restricted. Schools have a duty to identify and teach appropriately G&T (Gifted & Talented) students.    A Gifted & Talented co-ordinator and policy is recommended but not legally required. Nursery or Pre-school education Children are often placed in nurseries either at age 2 and a half or from 3.  Many primary schools have nurseries attached allowing a smooth transition from nursery to the first year of primary school known as Reception (age 4 or 5).  Unlike some other countries, the emphasis is on educational play with the child expected to have grasped some basic numeracy and literacy understanding by the time they reach 4 years of age.  The government pledges free nursery provision for 3 and 4 year olds.  Many British parents register their children for nurseries and schools at birth and waiting lists are common.

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The American and International Schools
In London there are a total of 5 American & International Schools in addition to several bi-lingual or national schools (see above). 

In the Home Counties (suburban areas often within commuting distance to London) there are also 5 American/International schools – 4 of these exist to the South West of Central London and 1 to the North West.  International schools outside London are less common although many British independent schools have high overseas student populations.  All with the exception of 1 all girl school offer co-educational schooling from pre-school to 17 or 18 years of age.

Unlike the British schools these schools will not undertake formal interviews but rely on a vigorous application process which includes 3 years of report cards from a student’s former school, written testimonials from recent teachers in the home country and a detailed application form to be completed by parents and students

The admissions process is always strictly adhered to and applications will not be considered until all paperwork and registration fees are submitted according to each individual school’s requirements.

English National Curriculum Testing
State schools test pupils as follows:

• SATS (Standard Assessment Tasks) at ages 7, 11 and 13.
• GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) from 14 to 16
• GCE AS level (General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary) at 17
• GCE A level (Advanced level) at 18. 

To be admitted into an independent secondary school, students take a test called the Common Entrance Exam (at 11 years for girls, 13 years for boys).

Once students reach 14 years of age, regardless of whether they are in a state or independent school, they begin preparing for GCSEs.  Students usually study 8 topics with English Language and Mathematics being compulsory.  The GCSE program concludes after two years at 16.  Students are permitted to leave full time education at this stage.

For students moving to the UK education system after the age of 14, tutorial colleges can offer 1 year intensive GCSE courses.

After attaining 5 or more GCSE’s, students enter “6th form” or Year 12 and begin to prepare for the AS level exams.  At this point four or five subjects are chosen for the first year (age 17), and in the second year, three or four of these are pursued to A level.  Examination grades for the A level tests are used to determine entry into University.

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A 16 year old new to the UK with no GCSE qualifications and who wants to do A levels will be required by the top schools to acquire some GCSE results during the following year before commencing A Levels or alternatively embarking upon the IB. 

Children aged 14 upwards regardless of academic ability, may find it a considerable challenge to transfer to the British GCSE and A Level syllabus.

A Levels v IB Diploma
It is important to be aware that some top independent British schools are moving away from AS and A levels to the IB Diploma, believing it to be a more appropriate foundation for University entry.  There are now 95 IB schools in the UK and 90% of these offer the IB diploma.

The IB Diploma offers a choice of 6 subjects, 1 chosen from 6 different subject groups:

Group 1: 1st Language 
Group 2: 2nd Language
Group 3: Individuals & Societies
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts

In addition students take Theory of Knowledge, complete an Extended Essay and undertake CAS (Creativity, Action, Service).

British Universities now formally recognise both the IB Diploma as well as A Levels as acceptable entry requirements subject to grades achieved. 

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Services) has agreed a points tariff for IB Diploma results from September 2007 with 30 IB diploma points equating to 420 UCAS points the equivalent of 4 x A grades at A Level.

It is vital to check with IB Diploma schools the range of subjects available and whether all are available at both standard and higher level. Standard and higher subjects may be taught together and it may not always be possible to study more than 1 science subject.