Your child's schooling is divided intoKey Stages. There are set subjects which must be taught in each stage according to the national curriculum. You will probably come across many different names for your child's school stage, as different parts of the country operate different school systems this may help:

Your child's age*	Year group	Key Stage	Target achievement Level**	Other types/names used:
3	Nursery   Reception	Foundation		Nursery	Nursery
4
5				Infant
6	1	1	2		First School
7	2
8	3	2	4	Primary/ Junior
9	4
10	5				Middle School
11	6
12	7	3	5/6	Secondary
13	8

 * the age your child becomes during this academic year

** the average level expected at this age e.g. if your chid achieves a level 2 (a,b or c) in his maths SATs then he will be within the range expected for his age

To find a state school:

For local schools information: www.parentcentre.gov.uk

For Ofsted reports: www.ofsted.gov.uk

State School Categories
You'll find various terms used on school information and Ofsted reports referring to the category of school. These categories tell you how the school is controlled and funded:

UK Region	Category
England & Wales Four types of school within Local Education Authorities (LEAs):	Community LEA employs staff, owns land and buildings and controls admissions. Foundation Governing body employs staff and controls admissions. The land and buildings are either owned by the governing body or a charitable foundation. Voluntary Aided The Governing body employs the staff and controls admissions policy but the land and buildings are owned by a charity. The Governing body contributes to capital costs. Voluntary controlled The LEA employs the staff and controls admission and the land and buildings are owned by a charity.
Northern Ireland State education is administered centrally and locally by 5 Education and Library Boards.	Controlled By the Education and Libraries Boards Voluntary Maintained Usually under Roman Catholic Management
Scotland Controlled by 32 local authorities.	State Maintained and controlled by the LEA Grant-aided Including special education needs Self-governing tbc?

Independent Fee-charging Schools

There are around 2,300 fee-charging schools in the UK. They come in all shapes and sizes and can offer education from as young as 2 years old (their nurseries are sometimes a good alternative to traditional day nurseries see childcare challenge.)

You will hear the term Prep School, which is basically a free-standing independent primary school linked to the senior school. They prepare children for entry into the higher school at the ages of 11, 12 or 13. Most senior schools require a child to pass the 11-plus or 13-plus general entrance exam.

The main advantages of an independent school are usually smaller classes and more specialist teachers. Languages are often taught earlier and the school day is longer.

• England
  For information and advice on choosing a school, visit the Independent Schools Council website: www.iscis.uk.net
• Scotland
  For information on Scottish schools, visit: www.scis.org.uk
• Wales
  For information on Welsh schools, contact:

           Ian Brown
           Worlod Yr Awel
           Landdewi Skirrid
           Abervagenny NP7 8AW
           Tel & Fax : 01873 855341

• Other:
  To find out what parents recommend, visit a website developed by parents for parents: www.ukprivateschools.com
  or for general information:
  www.gabbitas.net

Cost

You should expect to pay around ?2400 per term non-borading) for an independent Primary School or Prep School, more if you plan to board.

They should all be registered with the Department for Education and Skills who monitor their standards. See how they do it at: Ofsted 

Schools Overseas

If you are moving abroad and looking for schools, the Council of International Schools website can locate a school in any country and give contact information as well as more details for member schools:
www.cois.org

Also try the direct.gov site, which talks about free and fee-charging schools: (select 'settling and working abroad' and then choose 'children and school abroad?)

Special Schools

There are approximately 250,000 children in the UK with a statement for Special Educational Needs (see SEN for more information). In 2003, about a third of these were being taught in Special Schools. The trend, however, is for local LEA run schools to offer more of these children places in mainstream schools. Many parents and charities are concerned that this approach will put certain groups of children at a disadvantage.

The latest Government figures (Sept 2003) show the actual number of children in Special Schools has remained constant at just below 100,000, but as the overall number of statemented children has risen by 25% over ten years, the proportion of children in Special Schools is actually falling. See chart 'C' on this website if you want more detail: www.dfes.gov.uk/trends/ .

This is a difficult area and hard to find helpful information. You can read the official Ofsted Report (Annual Report 2002/03 Education in Special Schools and Pupil Referral Units), which gives findings regarding the performance of these schools on www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/.

Extended Schools

Approaching a potential new school

• First, make friends with the new school secretary and explain your requirements
• Visit the school at least once and meet with the Head Teacher
• Ask the Head Teacher to talk through the key Ofsted (Office For Standards in Education - www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports findings and any issues you are concerned about
• Ask about any imminent changes to key members of staff or school structure
• Meet one of the Parent Governors if you can
• Talk to as many other parents as possible for feedback
• Take your children to see the school
• Make sure you are happy with class numbers and future requirements for any younger children you have ' will there be a nursery/reception place for a second/third child'
• If your child has any special needs, make sure you go through these with the Head Teacher and make sure you're happy with their approach before signing up
• If there is anything you are particularly concerned about, ask to see the relevant school policy, which will tell you how the school manages that particular issue
• Rely on your gut instinct and the overall feeling you get when you enter the school