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Poland in the UK

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Simplified overview of the educational stages in the UK

The United Kingdom does not have a unified education system. Each country – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – has its own education systems and unique qualification frameworks. Although the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are relatively similar, the Scottish system differs in several essential aspects, which is why this Guide has a separate section for the Scottish education system and the country’s examination situation. 

For a summary cross-section of the UK’s education systems, see the chart compiled by Ecctis under Educational Pathways.

British GCSE level exams in the UK (i.e., in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) are usually taken around age 16 at the end of compulsory schooling.

England and Wales

The education system is divided into five main stages; each stage is called the key stage:

  • KEY STAGE 1 – (Y1-Y2) – for children between the ages of 5 and 7 (year one and year two of primary school);
  • KEY STAGE 2 – (Y3-Y6) – for children between the ages of 7 and 11 (from year three to year six of primary school);
  • KEY STAGE 3 – (Y7-Y9) – for young people between the ages of 11 and 14 (year seven to year nine of secondary school);
  • KEY STAGE 4 – (Y10-Y11) – for young people between the ages of 14 and 16 (year tenth and year eleventh of secondary school) – this is the time when most young people take their GCSE level exams;
  • KEY STAGE 5 – for young people between the ages of 16 and 18 – during this time, some of those remaining in the British education system are preparing for their A-level exams.

Ofqual is responsible for assigning qualifications to the appropriate levels in England.

Qualifications Wales is responsible for assigning qualifications to the appropriate levels in Wales.

Northern Ireland
  • FOUNDATION STAGE – (Y1-Y2) – for children between the ages of 4 and 6 (year one and year two of primary school);
  • KEY STAGE 1 – (Y3-Y4) – for children between the ages of 6 and 8 (year three and year four of primary school);
  • KEY STAGE 2 – (Y5-Y7) – for children between the ages of 8 and 11 (year five to year seven of primary school);
  • KEY STAGE 3 – (Y8-Y10) – for young people between the ages of 11 and 14 (year eight to year ten of secondary school);
  • KEY STAGE 4 – (Y11-Y12) – for young people between the ages of 14 and 16 (year eleven and year twelve of secondary school) - this is the time when most young people take their GCSE level exams;
  • KEY STAGE 5 – POST-16 – for young people between the ages of 16 and 18 – during this time some of those remaining in the education system are preparing for their A-level exams.

The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations, and Assessment is the institution responsible for assigning qualifications to the appropriate levels in Northern Ireland.

Scotland

Scotland's education system differs from the systems in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and it is distinct and independent. The 1998 Act granted the Scottish Parliament full control over education (devolution).

Below is a simplified overview of the Scottish education system leading to the GCSE level.

  • EARLY LEVEL CHILDCARE – (ELC-P1) – for children between the ages of 3 and 5 (covering nursery education and the first year of primary school);
  • FIRST LEVEL – (P2-P4) – for children between the ages of 5 and 8 (covering the second to the fourth year of primary school);
  • SECOND LEVEL – (P5-P7) – for children between the ages of 9 and 12 (covering the fifth to the seventh year of primary school);
  • THIRD LEVEL – (S1-S3) – for young people between the ages of 12 and 15 (covering the first to third year of secondary school);
  • SENIOR PHASE – (S4-S6) – for young people between the ages of 15 and 18 (covering the fourth to sixth year of secondary school). Young people prepare for National 4/5, Higher, and Advanced Higher-level exams 3 during this period.

The Scottish Qualification Authority is responsible for assigning qualifications to the appropriate levels in Scotland.

There is no direct equivalent to the Polish as a Foreign Language exam at the GCSE level in Scotland. However, Scottish students can, between grades S3 and S6, take the exam called The Modern Languages for Life and Work Award at SCQF level 4 to obtain a qualification confirming their knowledge of Polish. This qualification ranks lower than GCSEs in terms of the exam requirements and level of demand.

For this reason, some young people attending Polish Saturday Schools in Scotland choose to take the Polish language GCSE examinations offered by the English exam board AQA. Preparation for these exams often begins as early as the last year of primary school, and students usually take the exams themselves between years S1 and S6.

Currently, the issues of exam centres for GCSE Polish language exams are intensively being revised. The Polish diaspora of educational communities in Scotland is actively working to make these exams more accessible to Polish language students. The aim is to enable more people to take the exams and obtain qualifications in Polish.

 

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