Secondary 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.
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 |
Learn more about the following curriculum areas in Wales:
Secondary maths
Secondary personal finance
education