An overview of the Welsh education system
The education system in Wales used to resemble the structure set up in England, with maintained schools (most state schools) following the National Curriculum. However, in September 2022, a new curriculum was introduced, which was created in Wales by teachers, partners, practitioners and businesses. A child's age on 1 September determines when they need to start primary school.
In the updated curriculum, phases and Key Stages were replaced with one continuum of learning from ages 3 to 16 in each new learning area. The areas are:
1. Expressive arts
2. Humanities
3. Health and wellbeing
4. Science and technology
5. Mathematics and numeracy
6. Languages, literacy and communication
Literacy, numeracy and digital skills are also embedded throughout all curriculum areas.
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What about teaching in Welsh?
The Welsh Government wants to make sure that children can be educated in Welsh if there’s a need or demand for it, so Welsh is taught as a part of the curriculum in all schools up to the age of 16. Schools have the option to teach lessons entirely or mostly in Welsh – this includes English-medium schools (schools where children are taught in English).
‘Welsh-medium’ schools are schools where children are taught in Welsh. Children going to these schools also get a good grounding in English language skills, but schools are not required by law to teach English in Years 1 and 2.
Does the curriculum in Wales have a Welsh slant?
Take the subject of history, for example. Welsh schools are given discretion on exactly what to teach in history within the curriculum. Although they’re encouraged to focus on historical figures and events from their local area and around Wales in the first instance, they’re also free to include topics involving Britain as a while.
What tests do pupils in Wales take?
In Wales, the assessment system has undergone significant changes with the rollout of the new curriculum. Traditional Key Stage 2 (KS2) and Key Stage 3 (KS3) statutory assessments, such as the National Curriculum Tests (SATs) used in England, are no longer in place. Instead, students continue to take part in the National Reading and Numeracy Test, which was introduced as part of the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) in 2013. These assessments are administered annually from Year 2 to Year 9, with a focus on measuring literacy and numeracy skills across both English and Welsh mediums, depending on the language of instruction in the school
Students take General Certificate of Secondary Education exams (GCSEs) during year 11 and have the choice to continue on to Years 12 and 13 to sit A-level exams.
Please note: the table below is best viewed on a desktop (not mobile) screen.
| Age during school year | England and Wales: National Curriculum (plus Foundation Phase in Wales) | Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Curriculum | Scotland: Curriculum for Excellence |
| 4-5 | Reception | Year 1 | (Nursery) (Early level) |
| 5-6 | Year 1 | Year 2 | P1 (Early level) |
| 6-7 | Year 2 | Year 3 | P2 (First level) |
| 7-8 | Year 3 | Year 4 | P3 (First level) |
| 8-9 | Year 4 | Year 5 | P4 (First level) |
| 9-10 | Year 5 | Year 6 | P5 (Second level) |
| 10-11 | Year 6 | Year 7 | P6 (Second level) |
| 11-12 | Year 7 | Year 8 | P7 (Second level) |
| 12-13 | Year 8 | Year 9 | S1 (Third/Fourth level) |
| 13-14 | Year 9 | Year 10 | S2 (Third/Fourth level) |
| 14-15 | Year 10 | Year 11 | S3 (Third/Fourth level) |
| 15-16 | Year 11 | Year 12 | S4 (Senior phase) |
| A-Levels and SCE Highers – not compulsory | |||
| 16-17 | Year 12 | Year 13 | S5 (Senior phase) |
| 17-18 | Year 13 | Year 14 | S6 (Senior phase) |
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