Planning your child’s education – a guide from birth to 18

Ages 4 to 7 (reception to year 2): early learning and development

This is the time for learning to read, write and count, with plenty of time for play.

Some private pre-preparatory schools – almost exclusively in London – use this time to focus on competitive entry to prep schools, but most ensure children are meeting key milestones.

Potential difficulties such as dyspraxia or dyslexia may begin to emerge. If your child shows signs of struggle – academic or social – early intervention can make a huge difference. Your school might raise concerns with you – or vice versa – and should be able to advise on the appropriate actions to take.

Ages 7 to 10 (years 3–5): when to start thinking about secondary school

Learning begins in earnest. Some children move from state infant to junior school at 7, though most remain in the same primary until 11. Some in the independent sector move from pre-preps to preps at 7 or 8 – generally a seamless transition. Year 3 is the starting point for a traditional prep school. These private junior schools run from age 7 to 11 or 13 and prepare children for entry to senior independent schools. This is also the youngest age at which most schools will accept boarders.

By age 8, it does no harm to give the earliest of thoughts to secondary education – particularly if you are considering a selective school, state or private. State primaries do not usually prepare pupils for 11-plus tests, so some parents turn to tutoring.

Prospective applicant families for faith secondary schools need to plan well ahead – some require years of demonstrated commitment.

Selective senior schools – both state and private – may tell parents 11-plus tests cannot be prepared for, but the burgeoning supply of exercise books at your local bookshop, not to mention practice websites and tuition providers suggests otherwise. If you intend to bring in the professionals, see our section on tutors and tutoring.

If your child is at a private prep school, preparation for 11+ or 13+ entry is usually built in, along with guidance on suitable senior schools. This is not to say that tutoring is not rife at this stage, however.

Age 10 (year 5): researching and registering for secondary schools

Age 10 is the time to visit and register for most senior private schools. You should by now have a fair idea not only of where your child’s aptitudes and interests lie but also the type of environment that will best suit them.

State secondary schools don’t require such early registration, but in the summer term many hold open days for future applicants still in year 5.

Research schools thoroughly – open days are invaluable. The Good Schools Guide provides detailed reports on leading private and state secondary schools and publishes academic performance and value-added insights.

If you are hoping for a faith school place and are not attending church weekly, you may already be too late – popular schools such as The Grey Coat Hospital or The London Oratory School demand at the very least five years of weekly attendance for their faith places. Other faith senior schools prioritise applications from children at faith primaries.

Grammar school applications and 11-plus registration periods typically open (and often close) while the prospective applicant is in year 5.

If your child may have special educational needs or require exam access arrangements, an assessment by an educational psychologist should be arranged in good time.

Age 11 (year 6): secondary school admissions decisions[h3]

Most children finish primary school aged 11 at the end of year 6 and move on to secondary school. There are exceptions – some prep schools continue with years 7 and 8 because of the private senior schools (usually boarding schools) which don’t start until 13, but 11 is the norm.

The registration window for senior private schools admissions likely opened while your child was in year 5, but interviews and assessments will take place over the autumn and winter when your child is in year 6. Many children will be tutored for at least a year prior to these assessments. Most senior schools require registration at this point even for those applicants arriving at 13.

In the state sector, your application for secondary school is submitted to the local authority in the autumn term and will be subject to a range of criteria including distance, siblings, faith and, in the case of grammar and partially selective schools, academic selection.

With any application to a high performing state school, your home’s location in relation to the school is likely to be the critical factor. Residential areas close to good state secondaries are notorious for the resulting premium on property prices. Some grammar schools however select solely on ability, meaning you could apply from anywhere in the country. Practically speaking, a commute of more than an hour should be discouraged.

Ages 11 to 13 (years 7-8) in prep school

Those children who have their sights set on an independent school which starts at 13 will spend these two years at a prep school. Children may move to a prep from a state primary at this point so as to maximise their preparation for the step up to senior school.

13+ admissions process has already started by this point. Senior schools like to interview and examine all applicants in year 6. Places are usually offered conditionally (on the basis of good common entrance results in year 8) or unconditionally after results in pre-tests or in-house assessments.

Ages 11 to 13 (years 7-8) in senior school

While there are all-through schools where pupils stay put for the entirety of their education, most children will be adapting to new surrounds in year 7. For many, these years are about settling in, making friends and adapting to a broader curriculum.

Ages 14 to 16 (years 9–11): GCSEs and key decisions

GCSE courses begin to shape future options. Certain examined subjects such as English and maths are obligatory but depending on the school, pupils may be allowed some freedom in choosing between triple or double science, geography and history as well as from a raft of additional subjects including modern languages, psychology, religious studies, media, art, drama and music.

While GCSE choices are made long before university applications are due, prudent planners will give thought to a child’s direction of travel as universities take note of GCSE results. Getting good grades is the prime objective but the more illustrious universities will look for a range of academic subjects and if medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry is being considered, taking three separate sciences (as opposed to double award) is advisable. 

A change of school for sixth form at 16 is an option for students in state and private schools. A new school can offer different subjects and for some a much-needed change of scene. Applications typically need to be made at the beginning of year 11, and a place will largely be conditional on GCSE results. State schools are not allowed to offer places based on an applicant’s performance in interview (unless for suitability for boarding), although independent schools certainly will and tend to look for breadth of extra-curricular interests as well as academic aptitude.

Sixth form and beyond (ages 16 to 18): A levels, university and career planning

Most students continue into sixth form or college. Choices at this stage are critical. Subject selection can influence university and career pathways, particularly for competitive courses.

While the idea of ‘facilitating subjects’ (certain subjects which we considered of higher value) has been softened, there remains a hierarchy of subjects in practice.

Students may also prepare for subject-specific university aptitude tests such as LNAT (law) or UCAT (medicine and dentistry) and begin building their UCAS applications, including work experience, super-curricular reading or projects undertaken that are directly relevant to their chosen area of study.

Degree apprenticeships are now a popular alternative to university and an established route to qualifications and a career. The most attractive apprenticeships tend to be in professional services, science, design and tech, with many blue-chip company providers offering schemes. Starting salaries are around £25,000, usually with the degree element of the apprenticeship, and sometimes relocation and living expenses on top, leading to good job opportunities beyond.

Age 18: results, resits and next steps

At 18, students move on to higher education, apprenticeships, gap years or employment. Some may retake exams through crammers or tutorial colleges. As ever, careful research is essential. For most, this is an exciting time when they can truly spread their wings.

Planning ahead makes sense, but no one can predict the future, not least when your child is still in nappies. If you do decide to map out the next 20 years, keep your options open, build in plenty of flexibility and resist the urge to put all your eggs in one basket.

This school admissions timeline shows exactly when to apply for nursery, primary school, 11+, secondary school and sixth form in England.