Secondary education in Scotland
Secondary education in Scotland can take up to 6 years, covering ages 11 to 16, from S1 to S6. Education is not compulsory after the age of 16, the age of majority in Scots law.
| State School | Year | Ages | Curriculum | Final exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-school | Nursery | Ages 3 to 4 | Early learning | None, schools may set end of year tests. |
| Primary School | Primary 1 | Ages 4–5 or 5–6 | Broad general education | SNSAs (P1) |
| Primary 2 | Ages 5–6 or 6–7 | None, schools may set end of year tests. | ||
| Primary 3 | Ages 6–7 or 7-8 | |||
| Primary 4 | Ages 7–8 or 8–9 | SNSAs (P4) | ||
| Primary 5 | Ages 8–9 or 9–10 | None, schools may set end of year tests. | ||
| Primary 6 | Ages 9–10 or 10–11 | |||
| Primary 7 | Ages 10–11 or 11–12 | SNSAs (P7) | ||
| Secondary School | First Year (S1) | Ages 11–12 or 12–13 | None, schools may set end of year tests. | |
| Second Year (S2) | Ages 12–13 or 13–14 | |||
| Third Year (S3) | Ages 13–14 or 14–15 | SNSAs (S3) | ||
| Fourth Year (S4) | Ages 14–15 or 15–16 | Senior phase | National 3, 4 & 5 | |
| Fifth Year (S5) | Ages 15–16 or 16–17 | Highers | ||
| Sixth Year (S6) | Ages 16–17 or 17–18 | Advanced Highers |
Note: Some ages vary because of the child's birth year.
In Scotland, students transfer from primary to secondary education at 11 or 12 years old. Pupils usually attend the same secondary school as their peers, as all secondaries have 'intake primaries'. Pupils attend either a non-denominational school or a Roman Catholic school, according to their family's beliefs. Pupils in Scotland attend the same secondary school throughout their education; no sixth form colleges operate in Scotland, as in other countries in the United Kingdom.