Living in the UK
Summary of sections: 
- Health (GP, dentist, optician information and registration, mental and sexual health support, carer support, registering births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships etc)
- Housing (information on buying, renting, social housing, household services such as rubbish collection, information on fly tipping, etc)
- Education (information on early years, schools and beyond)
- Transport (using public transport, driving your own vehicle, etc)
- Information on other services such as Banking, using Post office, TV, Telephone, etc and Hillingdon People magazine, HillingdonFirst card
3. EDUCATION
3.2. Education at different ages
This section explains the levels of education at different ages in the UK.
Primary School: 5-11 Years
You will need to apply for a place at a school for your child.
You do this in the year before they will start.
Online: Primary School Admissions
Each child will work towards the National Standards, known as Key Stages with a test at the end of each Stage:
Key Stage 1 is for Years 1 and 2 (approximately 5-7 years).
Key Stage 2 is for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (approximately 7-11 year).
Date of Birth | Start or Transfer | Apply |
01/09/2015 - 31/08/2016 | Start Reception September 2020 | 1 Sep 2019 – 15 Jan 2020 |
01/09/2016 - 31/08/2017 | Start Reception September 2021 | 1 Sep 2020 – 15 Jan 2021 |
Secondary School: 11-16 Years
You will need to apply for a place at a school for your child.
Your primary school will let you know when to do this and send home more information on when to do this.
Online: Secondary School Admissions
Each child will work towards the National Standards, known as Key Stages with tests at the end of each Stage:
Key Stage 3 is for Years 7, 8 and 9 (approximately 11-14 years).
Key Stage 4 is for Years 10 and 11 (approximately 14-16 years) and leads to GCSE examinations.
Education and Training after 16
When they reach 16, children can choose to leave school, or continue to study.
After 16, the options are:
Stay in full-time education, for example at a college.
Start an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.