The+Scottish+Education+System


 * __ Nursery School __**// Ages 3 – 4/5 //

Compulsory general primary school education. Depending on the month of their birth a child may begin primary school either at age 4 or 5. If the child is born in January or February the parents can opt to hold them back a year and let them join the next school year.
 * __ Primary School __** //Ages 4/5 – 12//

Compulsory secondary education, general in the first two years before specialising in 8 chosen subjects in the last two years. Pupils work towards //Standard Grades// which can be set at three levels: either ‘foundation,’ ‘general,’ or ‘credit.’ Pupils normally sit two exams per subject at two levels: either ‘foundation’ & ‘general’ or ‘general’ & ‘credit.’ In S5 and S6 pupils sit year long courses, typically //Highers// which are entrance grades for university. Pupils can also study at Intermediate 1 and 2 level (roughly equivalent to ‘general’ and ‘credit’ //Grades// respectively), or at //Advanced Higher// level. A pupil may be able to attend university after completion of S5, although most students will continue to complete additional courses in S6.
 * __ Secondary School __**
 * //__ S1 - S4 __//**// Ages 12 – 16 //
 * __ S5 - S6 __** //Ages 17 – 18//

Following compulsory secondary school students may undertake this at college or through apprenticeships with businesses.
 * //__ Vocational Education __//** Ages 16 +