National curriculum structure and funding

Curriculum:

The national curriculum is divided into four key stages:

key stage 1/years 1 and 2: covers from when pupils start school to the age of seven
key stage 2 / years 3-6: ages seven to eleven
key stage 3 / years 7-9: ages 11 to 14 - pre-GCSE
key stage 4 / years 10-11: ages 14 to 16 - preparation for GCSE examinations

Structure:

The education system in the UK is divided into the primary and secondary phases.

Primary phase:

for children aged between two and four or five, pre-school education is available. This involves guided play, creative activities and working in groups. Fees are normally payable
compulsory education begins at five in England
emphasis is on literacy and numeracy in early years, with little or no specialist subject teaching
pupils are usually transferred to specialist schools at eleven

Secondary phase:

comprehensive schools account for about 90% of state secondary school pupils in England, Wales and Scotland. These provide a wide range of secondary education for children of all abilities aged from 11 to 18
at age 16, when compulsory education ends, pupils may transfer to sixth form colleges or tertiary colleges

Funding

Most state schools in England are financed by their LA but manage their own budgets, overseen by the governing body.

Sixth form colleges receive funding from the Learning and Skills Council.

Independent schools are usually funded through fees and donations. Most independent schools appoint their own board of governors and bursar, who is responsible for the finances.