{"id":1624,"date":"2026-03-10T12:14:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.edumentors.co.uk\/?p=1624"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:14:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:14:57","slug":"school-admissions-how-to-choose-a-secondary-school-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/school-admissions-how-to-choose-a-secondary-school-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"School Admissions: How to Choose a Secondary School in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\"><strong>How Does the British Education System Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK education system is made up of four main stages: primary (ages 5-11), secondary (ages 11-16), further education (17+) and higher (18+). Each stage offers a unique learning experience, with varying degrees of standardised exams depending on the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding the right school can feel overwhelming when <a href=\"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/admission-criteria-for-secondary-schools-a-complete-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"admission criteria are so competitive.\">admission criteria are so competitive<\/a>.You have to have several schools ready to go and one of them should be the safe option. Let&#8217;s cover everything about the UK&#8217;s school system, what types of schools there are and how can parents choose the right school. Remember, there is always a way to change if it does not work out. Hence, don&#8217;t overwhelm yourselves. \ud83e\udec2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Primary Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Primary school begins at age 5 and lasts until age 11. Children in this stage will study English, maths, science, PE and technology as well as religion or ethics. They will also begin learning foreign languages such as French or German. The curriculum is standardised across all schools so that children who move schools don&#8217;t have to worry about missing out on certain subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is split into two stages \u2013 Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Stage 1 covers the first three years of primary school and focuses on learning through play. It is split into two phases: Foundation Phase (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 1 (ages 7-11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Stage 2 covers the last three years of primary school and focuses on a more formal approach to learning. It is split into two phases: Key Stage 2 (ages 10-11) and Key Stage 2\/3 combined (ages 11-14).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Secondary Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"School Admissions - 4 Tips for Choosing the Secondary School\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ucDpbwGF7JI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">School Admissions &#8211; 4 Tips for Choosing the Secondary School<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondary school lasts from ages 11 to 16, although it can end earlier if a student decides not to continue with their studies at some point. At the end of key stage 3, your child will choose their <a href=\"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/5-tips-for-choosing-your-gcse-subjects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"GCSE subjects\">GCSE subjects<\/a> for key stage 4. On average students can take up to 9 GCSE subjects including the 3 core subjects, which are English, maths and science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-gcse-exams-in-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"GCSE\">GCSE<\/a> (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is a two-year programme. Students typically prepare for GCSEs in Year 10 and Year 11 before moving on to A Levels in Years 12 and 13. Getting a good grade in GCSEs is essential since most admissions officers will take them into account while choosing the perfect applicant. Hence, it\u2019s important to choose the right school for secondary education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Further Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After finishing secondary education, students can go on to further their studies by taking <a href=\"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/a-levels-everything-you-need-to-know-about-them-in-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"A-Levels\">A-Levels<\/a> or other vocational qualifications. Students planning to attend college or university in the UK must complete further education before doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Different Types of Secondary Schools in the UK<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.edumentors.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/School-Admissions-Different-Types-of-Schools-in-the-UK.jpg\" alt=\"School Admissions - Different Types of Schools in the UK\" class=\"wp-image-1629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.edumentors.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/School-Admissions-Different-Types-of-Schools-in-the-UK.jpg 850w, https:\/\/blog.edumentors.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/School-Admissions-Different-Types-of-Schools-in-the-UK-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.edumentors.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/School-Admissions-Different-Types-of-Schools-in-the-UK-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.edumentors.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/School-Admissions-Different-Types-of-Schools-in-the-UK-728x485.jpg 728w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">School Admissions &#8211; Different Types of Schools in the UK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many different types of schools in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc State Schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They are free to attend and funded by the government. They typically have to follow the national curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Comprehensive Schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They are a mixture of children with different abilities and backgrounds. They are state schools that take children of all abilities. They were created to replace grammar schools, which took only the brightest students. They are usually run by a local authority such as the local council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Faith Schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They are state-funded but serve only children from a particular faith or denomination. for example Catholic or Jewish schools. They can also be non-denominational, although this is rarer. These schools generally have the freedom of teaching their religion but they generally still have to the national curriculum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Grammar Schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They are selective state schools that take only the best students from their catchment areas. They have traditionally been used to educate the elite, but there are now far fewer grammar schools than there used to be. To get into a grammar school children have to get a good grade in 11+ exam which normally consists of maths, verbal reasoning, comprehension and creative writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Academies and Free Schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They are directly funded by the government but have more freedom over what they teach and how they&#8217;re run than other state schools do. They also have the freedom of choosing their students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Independent Schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They are also called private schools and they have the most say over how they run themselves as they are not funded by the government or local authorities. They are paid by the parents and they can design their own examinations by which they will be accepting students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the difference between public schools, private schools and independent schools?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the terms &#8220;independent school&#8221; and &#8220;private school&#8221; are often used interchangeably, technically speaking an independent school is one that has a board of governors or trustees. Other types of private schools may be run solely by the proprietor with no governing body at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though public schools are often thought of as being the least expensive, they can in fact be more costly\u2014and older\u2014than many private secondary institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the term \u2018public school\u2019 is considered outdated. Yet its origin\u2014a group of seven schools given independence from the Crown and allowed to have a board of governors in 1868\u2014still resonates among educators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Private schools are independent of the government in terms of the setting of tuition fees and regulations, but they must still comply with official standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, all secondary schools follow the same national curriculum, which is assessed in standardised tests (such as GCSEs and A-levels).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tips for Choosing the Right Secondary School<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Research Admissions Criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All schools have criteria to decide which children get places. The school or local council usually sets these. Admission criteria are different for each school; some give priority to children based on their academic performance in primary school, while others may weigh factors such as distance from home and good behaviour during visits. Sometimes, school admissions are rough and it&#8217;s better to have at least one safe option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can contact your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/find-local-council\">local council<\/a> to learn about these criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Visit the School<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list circle-dot\">\n<li>How much academic pressure is applied to students? Is it enough or will it stress out the child?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What exam results do their students get?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How big are the classes?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is homework manageable? (You can find this out from other parents)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the school and don\u2019t be afraid to ask all the questions you are interested in. School staff also has children so they know how important choosing the school is. Also, they would rather answer questions directly than share a slideshow with 10s of parents at once.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t rely on one person&#8217;s opinion when choosing a school for your child. Instead, talk to as many other parents and students from the schools you are considering as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may be difficult to find students of different ages, but try to include people from all over the school in your research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Ask Other Parents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can ask your friends, colleagues or even strangers on the internet. For example, the best tool to check if the secondary school is fitting for you and your child is Locrating. Parents can search schools by location or their name and read the reviews. Locrating&#8217;s team cares about the integrity of their reviews and they try their best to eliminate fake ones. You can also check the school\u2019s GCSE results, A level results, neighbourhood information, league tables and etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc Consider the Well-Being of Your Child<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You know your child and their needs the best. Even if the school has the perfect reviews and all of their exam results are as high as they come, your child may still not feel comfortable there. Sometimes, even not having the same friends after primary school or <a href=\"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/how-shrinking-break-times-in-uk-schools-affect-children\/\" title=\"\">not having enough time to rest during the break times<\/a> can affect your child\u2019s education badly. Consider these things and choose the school that will be the most comfortable for your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>To Sum Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing a secondary school is a big decision to make. However, remember that your child can always change it. Make sure you know everything about the school before applying. Can contact your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/apply-for-secondary-school-place\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"local council\">local council<\/a> or find information on websites such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.locrating.com\/schoolsmap.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Locrating.com<\/a> and apply to at least one safe option school. If your child does not get into your top choice schools, they might be automatically signed up to one that is either very far away or is not a good fit for your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have a look at which schools had the highest number of Oxbridge offers last year. Westminster school, for example, had a success rate of 40% with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/education-and-careers\/schools-colleges-top-10-oxford-cambridge-oxbridge-university-students\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"79 offers from Oxbridge\">79 offers from Oxbridge<\/a>. Think about which university you want to send your child to and take action correspondingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don&#8217;t know where to start, find someone who already went through this journey and already got accepted into the top universities of your choice. One of the platforms to look for a candidate is <a href=\"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=blog_111\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Edumentors.co.uk<\/a>. You can find plenty of online tutors from Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick or other top UK universities who can share their experience and even help your child in any school subject!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to share this article with others who might also need tips for choosing the right secondary school. You never know how much one small piece of advice can help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>School admissions are stressful. You can read this blog to learn everything about the UK&#8217;s school system and how to choose the secondary school for your child!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1628,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[257,265,261,255],"tags":[25,133,134],"class_list":["post-1624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exams-and-revision-parents","category-exams-and-revision-students","category-gcse-parents","category-gcse-students","tag-11-plus","tag-school-admissions","tag-secondary-school"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1624"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1624"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1624\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28459,"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1624\/revisions\/28459"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edumentors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}