The Scottish Education System

If you are moving from another part of the United Kingdom, or another country, or if you are just unsure about Scotland's education system, we hope this guide will be of some assistance.

Age of Entry to School

In Scotland, children can start school provided that they are aged 5 by 28 February of the session they start school. This means that Scottish classes, are, on average, 6 months younger than their English/Welsh counterparts. The oldest children in the year will have March birthdays, and the youngest children February birthdays.

Ages and Stages

Some of the educational terms in Scotland vary from those used elsewhere. Year 1 becomes P1 (P is for Primary), P2 up to P7. Scottish children study for 7 years in Primary School and 6 in Secondary, whereas in England/Wales children study for 6 years at Primary and 7 at Secondary.

In Secondary School pupils are known as S1 (S1 for Secondary) and S2 going up to S6.

There are no key stages in Scotland or SATs tests. Instead, there is the 5-14 Programme, where children are tested in reading, writing and maths when their teacher feels they are ready:

Level C should be attainable in the course of P4-P6 by most pupils.

Level D should be attainable by some pupils in P5-P6 but certainly by most in P7.

Level E should be attainable by some pupils in P7-S1 but certainly by most in S2.

Other differences in vocabulary are that in Secondary Schools, the Head Teacher is known as the Rector. The Heads of Faculty are called Principal Teachers and pastoral care is carried out by Pupil Support Teachers.

The Exam System (Scottish Qualifications Authority)

Standard Grades

Scottish pupils study for Standard Grades at the end of S4 (equivalent to year 11). These are broadly equivalent to GCSE but with a lot less emphasis on course work. In most subjects the result is based on the final exam alone. The final mark is an aggregate of 2-4 elements, and is from band 1 to band 7.

Credit: Band 1 – 2
General: Band 3 – 4
Foundation: Band 5 – 6
Band 7: Course completed

Higher Still

After Standard Grades, pupils go on to the Higher Still Programme. In S5 (equivalent of Year 12) students study for 5 subjects, usually at Higher, Intermediate 2 or Intermediate 1, depending upon their results at Standard Grade (see table below). For pupils coming into S5 from England/Wales, we will do some negotiation based on their GCSE results.

To go on to Tertiary Education, students normally need to have at least 3 Highers at Band C or above.

Bands 1 and 2: A
Bands 3 and 4: B
Bands 5 and 6: C
Band 7: D
Bands 8 and 9: Fail

In S6 students can go on to study Advanced Highers, or can pursue more Highers. To get an award at Higher, Advanced Higher or Intermediate levels students also need to pass the internal unit assessments known as NABs (from the National Assessment Bank).

Christmas Leavers

The earlier age of entry to school can sometimes have an effect for a few secondary students. Some students, who want to leave after Standard Grades (equivalent to GCSE) are only 15½ . If students are not 16 by the end of September they have to do another term at school in S5. If students want to go on to college they are still able to do this in September.

A table is included below to guide you from Standard Grade courses to the appropriate National Qualifications.

If you have any further questions about the information on this page, please contact Mrs Barbara Lewis, Depute Rector at laonline@all.dumgal.org.uk or telephone on 01576 202626.

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