Applying to UK Schools: A Survival Guide for Families Moving Abroad
If you’re moving to the UK with your kids, one of the biggest stressors is finding and applying to schools.
What kind of school should you choose? Should you go public or private? How do you apply? What year will your children enter, and will they be ahead or behind in the curriculum?
As an American who has relocated to the UK twice with my three children, I know your anxieties firsthand, and there was no one to explain to me how the systems worked.
I’ve written you this complete guide to choosing and applying to schools in the UK so you can do it right the first time, including my best tips for navigating this strange new world of education.
🇺🇸 If you’re an American moving to the UK, first read my complete guide to US vs. UK education here, then come back to find out how to apply.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding the British School System
Schools in the UK fall into two major categories: state schools (free, public community schools), and independent schools (private, fee-paying schools).
Most schools are day schools, but some follow the boarding model, where students live on campus.
Additionally, many schools – both state and independent – are single-sex: there are boys schools, girls schools, and “mixed schools” to choose from. This gendered system is more common in secondary school and is less common in primary schools.
What type of school you choose depends on several factors, including budget, location, your student’s age, and how rigorous you’d like the curriculum to be.
UK School Years & Stages
School years in the UK are called exactly that: years. School begins at age 3 with nursery, then age 4 with reception, then age 5 with Year 1, going all the way up to Year 13.
These year groups are divided into:
- Early Years (nursery and reception, usually located within primary schools)
- Primary Schools (Year 1 through Year 6)
- Secondary Schools (Year 7 through Year 11)
- Post-Secondary Schools (Years 12 & 13)
Curriculum & Entering as a Foreigner
State (public) schools follow the National Curriculum, which is grouped into Key Stages. The Key Stage model begins with a broad curriculum in primary school, then narrows into a student’s chosen subjects as they reach ages 14-15.
The UK has an exam-heavy educational system, which may be a big adjustment for your student. There are several standard exams students will take throughout their education, culminating with GCSEs at age 15-16.
After that, university-bound students will need to take A-Levels, which is another set of national exams that universities will use for admissions.
Private/independent schools don’t have to follow the national curriculum, and are often more rigorous than state schools, but all students will still have to take GCSEs, as well as A-Levels (if they choose to).
Entering in Early Years (ages 3-5)
One major benefit of the UK education system is that it starts early. Nursery (from age 3) and Reception (from age 4) are not mandatory, but most students will start day-long school from age 3.
Nursery is not free to attend, but is very affordable in the state school system.
Reception is not mandatory, but is free to attend.
Reading and writing starts much earlier in the UK system than in the American system, and by the end of Reception, students will generally be able to read simple books and write sentences.
Entering in Primary School (ages 5-11)
Other than early years, primary school is the easiest time to transfer to a UK school.
The curriculum is broad, and though there will be some cultural differences to get used to, your student should have no trouble adapting to the curriculum as long as they can already read and write.
Entering in Secondary School (ages 11-16)
Entering in secondary school is easiest from ages 11-13 (Years 7 & 8), before preparations for GCSEs begin. At this point, the curriculum is still broad enough that international students should have no trouble acclimating.
Starting at ages 14 & 15 (Years 9 & 10), students will begin narrowing their field of study in preparation for GCSE exams.
These are a set of subject-based national exams, with 5 mandatory core subjects: English language, English literature, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry.
Additionally, students can take their choice of extra subject exams, and most students who want to continue onto A-Levels and university will take exams for subjects they want to study at university (for example, computer science, foreign language, art, etc).
Years 9 and 10 are spent “teaching to the test” in the UK school system. Then in Year 11, at ages 15 & 16, students will take their GCSE exams.
Entering into the UK system at this point would be tricky, and many families who are moving with children this age will choose international schools to avoid GCSEs.
Entering in Post-Secondary School (Ages 16-18)
After secondary school, UK students have several choices for how to spend the next two years of their education.
University-bound students will continue on at their current school or at a sixth form college, where they will prepare for taking the A-Level exams. These are subject-based, and students get to choose what subjects they want to study. A-Level scores are used for University admissions.
International students can apply for a sixth form school, but the application requirements (without GCSE scores) vary from school to school.
Students who don’t want to go to university have other options, including a combination of work and study, trade schools, and more.
2. Choosing State vs. Independent Schools
One of the big catch-22s of moving to the UK is that you can’t apply to state schools without a permanent UK address.
State schools work on a catchment-based system, meaning you’ll need to live within their boundaries to attend, and provide your council tax bill to prove it.
For this reason, many international families choose to apply to independent schools so that their students will have a place immediately after moving.
But if you have the choice between state or independent schools, here are some factors to consider.
Location
This will be the biggest factor in choosing your child’s school. If you don’t yet know where you will live, my best advice is to research areas as best you can, then look at schools in where you think you might want to live.
Some areas have a better reputation for their state schools than others, and the very good school catchment areas often have higher cost of living, like taxes and rent.
Transportation to school is not provided in most cases (in either state or independent schools), so you’ll have to factor in your commute.
Ofsted Ratings & School Rankings
State schools are inspected and rated by Ofsted, which assigns a school a rating of “excellent,” “good,” “fair,” or “need improvement.” The schools rated “excellent” will often have the most number of applicants.
Independent schools can choose to be inspected by Ofsted, but don’t have to. You can find the rankings and reviews of independent schools on websites like the Top School Guide and the Good Schools Guide.
Girls Schools vs. Boys Schools
Many schools in the UK serve only boys or only girls, especially in secondary education. If your student would feel more comfortable in a “mixed” environment, this will narrow down your choices quite a bit.
Curriculum
Independent schools generally have a more rigorous curriculum than state schools, with more teachers, smaller class sizes, and more opportunities for extracurriculars.
If you’re moving at a difficult stage (ages 14-15, as outlined above), independent schools might be more equipped to help your student get through the GCSE exams and move onto A-Levels.
Cost
Independent schools can be extremely expensive; the national average is £18,063 per school year. For big cities like London, this is on the low end of the spectrum, and boarding schools are much more expensive still.
You’ll also have to factor in the 20% tax that was just enacted on private school fees, as well as the costs of uniforms, transportation, lunch, school trips, supplies, and extracurriculars and sports.
SEN
If your student has any special educational needs, you’ll need to make sure that the school you’re applying to is equipped to accommodate them.
Not all independent schools are equipped for all learning difficulties, and not all state schools can provide the same levels of support.
If you’re moving to the UK with a SEN student, the process to get them the accommodations and support they need will take longer in state schools than in independent schools.
Social Differences
In my experience, independent schools have more parent involvement, more extracurricular and social activities, more communication with the school and with teachers, and will come with a built-in social network (especially in the younger years).
State schools, on the other hand, may be harder to acclimate to as both a student and a parent, especially in big metropolitan areas like London.
This, of course, varies drastically between schools, so if this is important to you, it’s something to research.
ESL Support
Not all schools offer the same level of support for English learners. Independent schools can generally offer more assistance in helping your child grow comfortable with English, but it will vary from school to school.
State schools have no national ESL curriculum, and might have more limited means due to their limited budget and staffing.
Uniforms & Dress Codes
Most schools in the UK make students wear uniforms, but many also have a dress code that governs how a child can wear their hair (natural colors only), jewelry (only one religious necklace only), and makeup (minimal or none).
Independent schools are generally more relaxed in their policies, and state schools are generally more strict, though it varies. It’s really up to individual school administrators how strict or relaxed they are enforcing their dress codes.
If it’s important to your child that they be able to express themselves through their hair and clothes, you might want to search for an independent school that doesn’t require uniforms. State schools that don’t require uniforms are few and far between.
3. Applying to State Schools
State schools are governed by their local authority or council (called a “borough” in London) so you’ll need to apply through your local council.
The normal state school application cycle begins in the autumn and ends the following autumn. Each local council will have their own deadlines, but here’s how it generally works.
How to Apply to State Schools During the Regular Application Cycle
Research Your Local School Offerings (Autumn)
To find schools near you, go to your council’s website and find their list of schools. Each school will have their own catchment area: a boundary within which you will need to live to attend the school.
Research ratings, ask around if you can, and make sure you meet their admissions criteria. Distance is almost always a major factor, but some schools will also have additional criteria.
School catchment areas mean that sometimes the school closest to you will be within your neighboring borough, and not within your own. You don’t have to live in that borough to apply to the school, as admissions is measured by distance (as well as other factors).
➡️Find & Apply to Primary Schools Here
➡️Find & Apply to Secondary Schools Here
Go to Tours/Open Days (Autumn)
Each autumn (and sometimes also in the spring), state schools will have a series of tours, sometimes called “open days”. You’ll get to see the school, talk to the administrators and teachers, and ask questions.
Rank Your Choices & Apply (Autumn & Winter)
To apply to either primary or secondary schools, you’ll need to fill out the application on your council’s website, provide documentation and proof of address, and rank your choices.
You’ll need:
- Proof of address: council tax bill or lease agreement
- Proof your child lives with you (like a letter from your GP)
You’ll usually choose six schools (less in more rural areas), and rank them according to your preferences. You won’t always get your first choice, and schools with higher Ofsted ratings usually become oversubscribed (they have more applicants than spaces).
The application process usually closes in the winter, and applications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to get any of their choices.
Get Your School Assignment (Spring)
You’ll be notified of your school assignment in the spring, usually by April.
If you didn’t get the school you want, you can appeal, but not if you were denied by oversubscription.
Start School (Autumn)
Your student will start in September, making the entire application process roughly one year long.
Applying to State Schools “In-Year” or Mid-Year
If you’re moving in the middle of a school year, you’ll need to apply “in-year”, and each local council has slightly different application processes for this.
Contact your local council, and they can tell you which local schools have available spaces for your child. Sometimes, the council will have you apply directly to the school that has space.
You can still complete the normal application process – ranking your 6 choices, as outlined above – but you might not get any of them. If you list at least one of the schools that has available space, you’ll likely be assigned to that school. Otherwise, you might be assigned to a school you may not have considered or toured.
Ask your council how they manage wait lists; sometimes these are managed directly by the school. And if you’re not happy with where you end up, you can re-apply during the next regular application cycle.
SEN Schools & Special Schools
When researching state schools, you’ll run across some that are marked as “special” or “alternative” schools. You can’t apply to these schools without an EHCP (Education Health Care Plan). Contact your local council to begin the assessment process, which can be lengthy.
Independent schools can also help you secure an EHCP.
4. Applying to Independent Schools
Independent schools in the UK each set their own admissions criteria, and the admissions process will be different if you’re applying during the normal application cycle, or applying in-year (in the middle of a school year or outside of usual transition points).
There are several crucial points during which independent schools admit new students. These usually happen at ages 7, 11, 13 and 16.
Admission is competitive during these major entry points.
Many private schools use common entrance exams, in addition to interviews, to determine student admission. These exams are called the 7+, 11+, 13+, and take place during the year before you wish your child to start private school.
For example, the 7+ exam, for entrance into Year 3, will take place during Year 2.
Here’s how the normal application cycle works, and how to begin.
Applying to Independent Schools: Normal Timeline
Generally, you’ll apply to these schools in the autumn of the previous year, exams will take place in January, and then you’ll hear about acceptance in the late winter or spring, and start school in the fall.
Research Schools
Begin researching schools by using resources like the Independent Schools Council or the UK Independent Schools Directory.
About half of these schools are rated by Ofsted, and you can also check rankings and reviews on sites like Top School Guide and Best Schools.
Check their websites to see their admissions criteria. Plan on applying to multiple schools to increase your student’s chances of getting in.
Attend Open Days (Spring and Autumn)
Most schools run open days both in the spring and in the autumn. You’ll get to tour the school, meet teachers and administrators, ask questions, and get a feel for what the atmosphere is like.
Most of these open days will be for both students and parents, with parents meeting with staff, and students meeting with other students.
Apply & Pay Application Fees (Autumn)
Once you’ve narrowed down which schools you want to apply to, fill out the application and pay the fees (usually £150-£300 per applicant). The application deadlines are usually in November.
To apply, you’ll usually need:
- Parent and student passports
- Parent and student Visas and/or proof of residency, or Visa paperwork (if not approved yet)
- School and exam records
- Application fees
After you’ve applied, your student will be scheduled for exams and interviews.
Sit Exams & Attend Interviews (Autumn & Winter)
Most schools will administer exams in the late autumn and winter. Schools either use the common entrance exams, or their own admissions exams.
Students will be invited to interview pending results on their exams.
Acceptions & Rejections (Winter & Spring)
You’ll usually hear about your admissions results from January to March, though each school has slightly different timelines. They’ll each have their own deadlines to accept.
After you’re accepted, you’ll have to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your student’s place.
Sometimes your student will be wait-listed, which is unfortunate, but another reason you should apply to multiple schools.
Start School (Autumn)
Your student will begin school in September, making the total application process about 1 year long.
Applying to Independent Schools In-Year or Internationally
If you’re not applying during the common transition points (ages 7, 11, 13 & 16), or you’re applying in the middle of a school year, this is called an “in-year” application.
Here’s how the process works.
Research Schools
Just like the process above, research schools that would be a good fit for your student. If you can narrow it down to a local area, that’s a good place to start.
If you have no idea where you’ll live, you can keep your search more broad and look at schools that meet your criteria using resources like the Independent Schools Council and the UK Independent Schools Directory.
Inquire About Space
Before you apply, you’ll first and foremost have to ensure that they have space for your student in their year group.
Contact the school directly, explain your situation, and see if they have an open spaces.
Tour in Person or Online
If a school has a space, ask about tours. If you can’t be there in person, many schools are happy to book an online meeting where you can ask questions and get a feel for their ethos.
Apply & Pay Fees
Fill out your application and pay the application fees (usually £150-£300 per applicant).
To apply, you’ll generally need:
- Parent and student passports
- Parent and student Visas and/or proof of residency, or Visa paperwork (if not approved yet)
- School and exam records
- Application fees
Sit Exams & Interviews
If your school requires exams, your student can usually complete them online or through a local testing center.
Independent schools in the UK are quite used to international applicants, and many are happy to complete the admissions process over Zoom and phone calls if you can’t be there in person.
Acceptance or Rejection
When you’ll hear back about an in-year acceptance or rejection will entirely depend on the school and how quickly they process things.
If you get in, you’ll need to pay a deposit to hold your student’s space.
Many schools will also offer to connect you with ambassador families that currently have students at the school, so you can feel a bit more welcome when you arrive.
Start School
When your student can start will depend on when you’re moving and when the school would like your student to start.
Make sure you get the uniform and supplies list so your student will be ready!
5. Alternative Education for International Families
Sometimes when moving abroad, the timing of school admissions doesn’t fall in your favor.
If you won’t have an address in time to apply to state schools, or if you’re waiting for a spot in an independent school, there are a few alternative options you can look into temporarily or permanently.
International Schools
There are a handful of international primary and secondary schools in the UK, but these are only in major cities like London and Edinburgh.
The curriculum varies between schools, with some like the American School in London using the US curriculum, and others using the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
If your student wants to attend university in the UK, they’ll need to take GCSEs and A-Levels, which not all international schools offer.
But if you’re worried about your student’s transition to an entirely new educational system, finding the appropriate international school might ease their anxieties.
Elective Home Education
All children residing in the UK must be in school from ages 5-16, and if they’re not, parents are held liable. But that schooling doesn’t always have to occur inside a classroom.
If you’re not happy with your child’s assigned school, you can choose to home educate while you wait for alternative options, or continue home education to complete their schooling.
Elective home education is your right as a parent, but you are held accountable to your local council and must provide evidence of curriculum and learning, even if your student is in an accredited online school.
➡️ Online UK Schools
You can enroll your child in an independent online school that uses the UK standard curriculum. Fees range anywhere from £1500-£3000 per term, and are a good temporary option (if you can afford it).
These online schools are not recognized as part of government-approved education in the UK, so you’ll have to register for elective home education (homeschooling) as outlined below, even if you’re paying tuition at an online school.
Some popular online UK schools are:
➡️ Online International Schools
If you’ll be moving at an awkward time during the school year, it may make sense to enroll your child in an online international school, so they can stay in school wherever you are.
The same terms of elective home education apply to online international schools. Costs are usually similar to UK-based online schools listed above.
6. Tips
Applying to schools can be a time consuming and frustrating process, especially if you’ve never lived in the UK before. Here is my best advice.
Start Early
As soon as you know you’re moving, start your school search. The earlier you apply, the more chances you have of getting a space.
Research, Research, Research
Searching for state schools, but don’t know where you’ll live? Research local areas, look at their Ofsted ratings, and price out how much it will be to rent in the area. Try to connect with a local to get the scoop on what the area is really like.
For independent schools, see what the local area is like nearby, research rent prices, and calculate a radius for a distance you’re willing to commute with your student.
Join Expat Groups
Join your new expat communities online, and get their feedback on areas, schools, housing, and so much more. These groups are a wealth of knowledge.
Hire Help, if You Can
If you’re overwhelmed by it all, and can afford it, you can hire someone to do the school search for you.
Several relocation companies contract with education “headhunters” who can reach out to independent schools for you, help you with applications, and secure your student a space.
If you’re relocating for a job, your company might provide a relocation agency.
You Might Not Get it Right The First Time
The first UK school your student ends up in might not be the right fit, and that’s okay. You will eventually find a great place for them, and since you’re navigating a whole new world, it may just take some time.
📕 Glossary of UK Education Terms 📕
Here’s a quick guide to some of the more confusing terms in the UK education system.
A-Levels: Subject-based exams students will take at ages 17-18 while studying in the sixth form. Scores are used for admissions to university.
Catchment: A geographic area surrounding a school in which students will need to reside in order to attend.
College: A social or academic group within a school (think Harry Potter’s “college” of Gryffindor). College is not the same as university in the UK.
Common Entrance (7+, 11+, et al): Private school entrance exams taken at certain points during a student’s education. 7+ is for entrance at 7 years old, 11+ for entrance at age 11, et al.
Early Years: Nursery and reception years.
EHCP: Education Health Care Plan, made in collaboration with students, parents, schools, and doctors, that provides accommodations for a child’s SEN needs in education.
GCSE: General Certificate of Secondary Education. These are subject-based exams that all students will take toward the end of secondary school, in years 10 and 11.
Independent School: A private or fee-paying school that runs independently from the government.
In-Year: Applying to schools outside of the normal application cycles, like in the middle of a school year, or transferring schools outside of normal times.
Key Stage: A section of the national curriculum. Each school stage (primary, secondary) falls within a stage of the national curriculum (key stages 1 & 2, key stages 3 & 4, etc).
Local Authority: Your local council (government), in charge of the schools within their boundaries. In London and some other large cities, these areas are also called “boroughs.”
Nursery: The first year of school, from ages 3-4. Not compulsory to attend, and not free to attend, but affordable within the state school system. Nursery classes are usually within primary schools.
Post-Secondary or Post-16: Years 12 & 13, in which students aged 16-18 must continue their compulsory education, but have several choices for how to do so.
Primary School: Nursery through Year 6, for ages 3-11.
Reception: The second year of school, from ages 4-5. Not compulsory to attend, but free to attend within the state school system. Reception classes are usually within primary schools.
Secondary School: Years 7-11, for students aged 11-16.
SEN or SEND: Special education needs or special education needs & disabilities. Both terms are used interchangeably.
Sixth Form: The same as post-secondary or Post-16. A Sixth Form college, however, is where students will study for A-Level exams in preparation for university entrance.
Special School: A community (state) school that only offers education for SEN students. These schools can only be accessed with an EHCP.
State School: Public, free-to-attend community schools.
Tuition: Teaching, usually in small groups (like tutoring). In the UK, this term does not mean school fees.
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Types Of Visas Available For Living And Working In London
How Much it Costs to Move to the UK
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How To Rent A Property In London
