The School Year

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The Exam System:

In England and Wales children follow the National Curriculum and sit National Tests in English and Maths.  Testing takes place at the end of KS1 (Y2 when children are 7), KS2 (Y6 when children are 11) and KS3 (Y9 when children are 14).  There is a set date when testing is carried out in all schools.  Tests are marked externally.  League tables are published but should be read with caution as no account is taken of value-added.

In Scotland children follow the 5 – 14 curriculum external tests are devised for each level with children tested internally by schools when the school believe the child will achieve that level.  Tests are marked by the schools and reported nationally.  Schools are given targets to meet based on previous performance and the pupil mix.

GCSE and Standard Grade:

These are broadly equivalent exams.  Standard Grades are sat in S4 (ie 4 years after entering secondary school – remember in Scotland a child must be 11 by the end of February to enter secondary school the following August.)  The mix and range of subjects will be similar to those on offer at GCSE which is taken in England by those pupils in Y11 ie 5 years after entering secondary school.  In Scotland there is only one exam board the SQA in England there are many with a corresponding broad range of syllabi.

Grading: Standard Grades are awarded passes at grades 1 & 2 (Credit suitable for continuing study to higher level)) 3 & 4 (General passes at this level would suggest a pupil should follow Higher still courses at Intermediate Level 2 ) 5 & 6 (Foundation passes at this level would suggest a pupil should follow Higher still courses at Intermediate Level 1). 

GCSE ‘s are graded A-G.  Passes at A-C are accepted as higher grade passes suitable for Advanced studied.  (though in some subjects a grade B will be needed for schools to recommend study at A-level.)

A-Levels, AS and Highers.  Highers and Advanced Highers are broadly equivalent to As And A-Levels these would be accepted by Universities as evidence that a student was capable of degree level study.  Highers are not as in depth as A-levels and students would be expected to gain more higher passes than A-levels.  The Higher still programme that exists in Scotland provides qualifications equivalent to GCSE and Standard Grade.

Both systems also offer a broad but differing range of vocational qualifications.

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School Admissions

For England please see separate article.  As with England parents are free to choose which school they wish to send their child but most historically choose the local school.  Problems with school admissions in Scotland are less marked.  Maximum class sizes exist and schools may be capped if they reach these levels.  In most areas schools are not capped. In areas where there is a large turnover of pupils moving in and out of an area schools are allowed to take account of this and hold over places for those known to be arriving later.   If a local school is capped the education Authority has to take responsibility for finding an alternative place and for funding additional associated costs eg transport.

If you feel your child may be affected by a move North or South of the border do speak with the school SCE.  It may be possible to minimise some of the perceived problems

Teaching In Scotland

Anyone wishing to teach in Scotland must be registered with the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTC). 

Contact Details: The General Teaching Council for Scotland

                                    Clerwood House

                                    96 Clermiston Road

                                    Edinburgh EH12 6UT

                                    Tel: 0131 314 6000

                                    Fax:      0131 314 6001

                                    E-mail: gtcs@gtcs.org.uk

                                    Web:    www.gtcs.org.uk

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