Comparing School Systems UK, USA & AUS | ExpatWoman.com
 

Comparing School Systems UK, USA & AUS

We have compared the UK, USA & AUS education systemsso you can be sure that you're sending your child to the right school.

Posted on

26 September 2013

Last updated on 20 June 2017
Comparing School Systems UK, USA & AUS

There is sometimes a lot of confusion between the English, UK, Australian and American schools systems so here we have a handy chart for you so you can compare the ages, and terminology used in all the education and schooling systems. This should help you understand the grade versus year and age comparison.

US Schools

Type: Primary/ Infant School

Age: 4-5

Eng. Key Stage Reception

English Year: x

US School Type: Elementary School

US Grade: Nursery

Type: Primary/ Infant School

Age: 5-6

Eng. Key Stage KS 1

English Year: Year 1

US School Type: Elementary School

US Grade: Kindergarten

Type: Primary/ Infant School

Age: 6-7

Eng. Key Stage KS 1

English Year: Year 2

US School Type: Elementary School

US Grade: 1st Grade

Type: Primary/ Infant School

Age: 7-8

Eng. Key Stage KS 2

English Year: Year 3

US School Type: Elementary School

US Grade: 2nd Grade

Type: Primary/ Infant School

Age: 8-9

Eng. Key Stage KS 2

English Year: Year 4

US School Type: Elementary School

US Grade: 3rd Grade

Type: Primary/ Infant School

Age: 9-10

Eng. Key Stage KS 2

English Year: Year 5

US School Type: Elementary School

US Grade: 4th Grade

Type: Primary/ Infant School

Age: 10-11

Eng. Key Stage KS 2

English Year: Year 6

US School Type: Elementary School

US Grade: 5th Grade

Scotland Schools

Age: 4-5

Scotland Type: Nursery

Scotland Year: Year 1

Northern Ireland: Primary

N.I. Year: Primary 1

Age: 5-6

Scotland Type: Primary

Scotland Year: Primary 1

Northern Ireland: Primary

N.I. Year: Primary 2

Age: 6-7

Scotland Type: Primary

Scotland Year: Primary 2

Northern Ireland: Primary

N.I. Year: Primary 3

Age: 7-8

Scotland Type: Primary

Scotland Year: Primary 3

Northern Ireland: Primary

N.I. Year: Primary 4

Age: 8-9

Scotland Type: Primary

Scotland Year: Primary 4

Northern Ireland: Primary

N.I. Year: Primary 5

Age: 9-10

Scotland Type: Primary

Scotland Year: Primary 5

Northern Ireland: Primary

N.I. Year: Primary 6

Age: 10-11

Scotland Type: Primary

Scotland Year: Primary 6

Northern Ireland: Primary

N.I. Year: Primary 7

Key Stage: 11 Plus

Age: 11-12

Scotland Type: Primary

Scotland Year: Primary 7

Northern Ireland: High/ Grammar

N.I. Year: First Form

Age: 12-13

Scotland Type: Secondary

Scotland Year: 1st Year

Northern Ireland: High/ Grammar

N.I. Year: 2nd Form

Age: 13-14

Scotland Type: Secondary

Scotland Year: 2nd Year

Northern Ireland: High/ Grammar

N.I. Year: 3rd Form

Age: 14-15

Scotland Type: Secondary

Scotland Year: 3rd Year

Northern Ireland: High/ Grammar

N.I. Year: 4th Form

Age: 15-16

Scotland Type: Secondary

Scotland Year: 4th Year

Key Stage: Standards

Northern Ireland: High/ Grammar

N.I. Year: 5th Form

Key Stage: GCSE

Age: 16-17

Scotland Type: Secondary

Scotland Year: 5th Year

Key Stage: Highers

Northern Ireland: High/ Grammar

N.I. Year: Lower 6th

Key Stage: AS Level

Age: 17-18

Scotland Type: Secondary

Scotland Year: 6th Year

Key Stage: Highers

Northern Ireland: 6th Form/College

N.I. Year: Upper 6th

Key Stage: A Level

Australian Schools

Age: 4

School Type: Kindergarten

Name: Kindergarten

Age: 5

School Type: PP

Name: Pre Primary

Age: 6

School Type: Primary

Name: Year 1

Age: 7

School Type: Primary

Name: Year 2

Age: 8

School Type: Primary

Name: Year 3

Age: 9

School Type: Primary

Name: Year 4

Age: 10

School Type: Primary

Name: Year 5

Age: 11

School Type: Primary

Name: Year 6

Age: 12

School Type: Primary

Name: Year 7

Age: 13

School Type: 000

Name: Year 8

Age: 14

School Type: High School

Name: Year 9

Age: 15

School Type: High School

Name: Year 10

Age: 16

School Type: High School

Name: Year 11

Age: 17

School Type: High School

Name: Year 12