Education in Wales
In Wales, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong
Learning and Skills (part of the Welsh Assembly) took control
of education in 2000.
The systems in Wales and England still have very similar
curricula, standardised testing, and examinations.
The National curriculum for primary education in
Wales was extensively assessed and reviewed between 2002 and 2004.
It still remains very similar to the curriculum found in England
and the subjects taught are broadly the same, with the exception of
the teaching of the Welsh Language. Also, what is studied as
Citizenship' in England, is known as Personal Social Education
(PSE) in Wales.
Phases of primary education in Wales
| Phase of
education |
Type of
institution |
Key stages |
Year/grade key |
Typical age |
| Primary education |
Primary schools |
Key stage 2 |
Y6 |
10 - 11 |
| Y5 |
9 - 10 |
| Y4 |
8 - 9 |
| Y3 |
7 - 8 |
| Key stage 1 |
Y2 |
6 - 7 |
| Y1 |
5 - 6 |
| . |
Reception classes (R) in primary
schools |
Foundation stage |
R |
4 - 5 |
| Pre-school and nursery education |
Pre-school settings which
include pre-school groups, playgroups, day nurseries, nursery
centres and nursery schools |
. |
3 - 4 |
Phases of secondary education in Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government is currently rolling out a new
Welsh Baccalaureate available to 14 to 19 year-olds to run
alongside GCSEs and A-Levels.
| Phase of education |
Type of
institution |
Key stages |
Year/grade key |
Typical age |
| Upper secondary education |
GCE ''A" Levels, GCE
''AS'' Level examinations, Advanced Diplomas (taken at age 17/18)
provide access to further and higher education and the world of
work. Welsh Baccalaureate in development for 14 - 19 year
olds. |
| Further education
institutions |
School sixth
forms or sixth form colleges |
17 - 18 |
. |
| 16 - 17 |
. |
| General Certificates of
Secondary Education (GCSEs), General National Vocational
Qualifications (GNVQs), GCSEs in vocational subjects (Vocational
GCSEs) and Foundation and Higher Diplomas (usually taken at age 16)
provide access to post-compulsory general/academic and vocational
studies and the world of work. Welsh Baccalaureate in development
for 14-19 year olds. |
| Secondary schools |
Key stage 4 |
Year 11 (Y11) |
15 - 16 |
| Y10 |
14 - 15 |
| Lower secondary education |
Key stage 3 |
Y9 |
13 - 14 |
| Y8 |
12 - 13 |
| Y7 |
11 - 12 |
Maths in the Curriculum
The curricula for the Key Stages 1 to 4 are detailed in this
document:
accac.org.uk/uploads/documents/21.pdf
The new curriculum and programme of study, implemented from
2008, can be downloaded here:
www.wales.gov.uk