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Education and schools 

Education in State Schools in Gloucestershire is provided by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC). Information and details on schooling matters such as, finding a school, term dates, applying for and admissions to schools, adult education, Post 16 years, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), early years and childcare, school attendance/exclusions and welfare, home education can be found at their website – www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning

Compulsory School Age

In the UK the compulsory school age is from age 4 years to age 18 years. Children start school in the September after they are 4 years old and must stay in school until the end of June after their 16^th birthday. Between age 16 years and 18 years, they must attend a Sixth Form or college, do an apprenticeship or traineeship, or do 20 hours work/volunteering plus part-time education/training.  

All children in England and Gloucestershire are entitled to a free place at a state school, from age 4 years to age 16/18 years.

School Year and Terms

The school year is from the beginning of September to mid-July, with three Terms. There is a Half Term week in each term – October, February, May.  Each school may decide the start and end dates of the terms.  A school may also have Inset/teacher training days within a Term and on those days pupils do not attend school. 

State Schools

State Schools are Primary, Infant, Junior and Senior/Secondary Schools. State Schools in the UK receive funding from their Local Authority/Local Council (LA/LC), or directly from the Government. 

Primary/Infant/Junior Schools

Primary, infant and junior schools provide education to children aged 4 years to 11 years. Infant and Junior Schools may be run together by a partnership or federation. 

Senior/ Secondary Schools

 A senior/secondary school provides education to children from 11 years to 16 years, and to 18 years if the school has a Sixth Form. 

Sixth Form

Young people aged 17 & 18 years, can continue their education and study for and take A-Levels at a Sixth Form.  There is an application process for Sixth Form. However, not all senior/secondary schools offer education post-16 years or have a Sixth Form within the School. 

Further information about education post-16 years, Sixth Form and various other options, can be found at – www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/post-16

Applying for a School Place

When moving to the area, applications for a school place are made direct to a school, by completing an online application form and applying to more than one school. It is advisable to make multiple applications. Further information on schools in the area, application form and process and guidance booklet at - www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-admissions-InYearAdmissions.

Applying for a School Place in Reception Year, Year 3 or Year 7

Applications for a child to start at Reception Year (ages 4 yrs) primary/infant school, Year 3 (7yrs) junior school and Year 7 (11yrs) senior school are made online through Gloucestershire County Council. There is a set period for applications, which are made in the Autumn before a child is due to start in the following September. (Apply Autumn 2022, start school September 2023). 

Further information and guidance booklet at - www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning-admissions-Apply for a school.

Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND)

Children with additional needs and/ or Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) can either attend a mainstream school or a special school. A mainstream school will have a SEN co-ordinator who will provide specialist advise and arrange appropriate support for a child. 

Further information on SEND support services and Special Schools can be found at - 

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/special-needs-and-disability-send