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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.  It is advisable to make multiple applications. Further information on schools in the area, the application form, and the process can be found 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 (aged 4 years) at Primary/Infant school, Year 3 (7 years) Junior school, and Year 7 (11 years) 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. (e.g. Apply Autumn 2022, start school September 2023). 

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

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 coordinator who will provide specialist advice 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-including-autism