What year group will my child be placed in when moving to the UK?

Year group placement is based on age as of 31 August in the relevant academic year. A child who turns 11 before 31 August will enter Year 7 that September. Children joining from international school systems are placed by age rather than by the year group they were in abroad — which sometimes means they join a year above or below where they studied previously.

How far in advance should we apply for UK schools before our move?

For state schools, most local authorities require applications 12–18 months before entry. For independent schools, popular schools often fill places 2–3 years ahead. If you are targeting selective schools (grammar or independent), preparation for entrance exams needs to begin at least 12 months before the exam date. Earlier is almost always better.

Can my child get into a UK grammar school if they are moving from abroad?

Yes — but it requires preparation. Grammar school entrance exams (the 11+) test verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. International students often have strong maths but need specific preparation for the verbal and non-verbal reasoning elements, which are unfamiliar in most other education systems. With the right tutor and 6–12 months of preparation, international students regularly succeed.

What happens if we move to the UK mid-school year?

Mid-year admissions are handled differently to the main admissions round. You apply directly to the local authority, who will identify schools with available places in the relevant year group. You may not get your first choice, but once a place is allocated, your child can start relatively quickly. In-year applications are also possible for independent schools where places are available.

How different is the UK curriculum from the IB or American system?

Significantly different. The UK National Curriculum narrows subject choice earlier than both the IB and the US system — students choose their GCSE subjects (typically 9–10) at age 14 and A-Level subjects (3–4) at age 16. The IB by contrast requires breadth across six subject groups until age 18. American students transitioning to UK schools often find the depth of focus per subject is greater, while breadth is reduced.

How does the UK school system work for relocating families?

In the UK, children are placed into year groups based on their age on 1 September of the school year. Primary school covers ages 5 to 11 (Years 1 to 6); secondary school covers ages 11 to 16 (Years 7 to 11), ending with GCSE exams; sixth form covers ages 16 to 18 with A-levels or equivalent.

What school options are available when moving to the UK with children?

Relocating families typically choose between state-funded schools (free, with admission based on proximity), independent schools (fee-paying but more flexible for mid-year international entrants), and international schools (IB curriculum, suits families who may relocate again). The best option depends on your child, budget, visa status, and target area.

When should I start looking for schools before moving to the UK?

Start school research as soon as the move is likely — not only when it is confirmed. Application deadlines for the main September intake can be months in advance. If you are arriving mid-year, you will apply for in-year admissions, which is a rolling process with no fixed deadline.

What is in-year admissions and how does it affect relocating families?

In-year admissions is the process for joining a UK school outside the main September intake. Applications go through the local council for state schools, or directly to the school for independent schools. Councils must respond within 15 school days. This can mean less choice of school, so flexibility on area or school type helps.

How can I help my child settle into a new UK school after relocating?

Involve children early by showing them photos of the area and potential schools. Keep familiar routines for stability through the transition. Help maintain old friendships. If there are curriculum gaps — especially for children switching to English-medium learning for the first time — targeted tutoring support before or shortly after the move prevents small gaps becoming larger confidence issues.

Moving to the UK With School-Age Children

If you’re moving to the UK with school-age children, the job offer is probably sorted and the visa is underway. What’s keeping you up at night is the school question.

Will my child be okay? Will they fall behind? How does it all actually work?

This guide is written parent-to-parent. We’ve supported families moving to the UK with school-age children from the US, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and further afield — and the questions are almost always the same. So here’s a plain-English walkthrough of how UK schooling works, what to think about before you commit to a neighbourhood, and how to make the transition as smooth as possible for your child.

How the UK school system works
State schools, private schools, and what’s realistic
Timing the move: school calendars vs corporate timelines
Everyday practicalities for working parents
Helping your child through the transition
Where Ariston Education fits in

1. How the UK school system works (in normal language)

In the UK, children are placed into year groups based on their age on 1 September of the school year — not the grade they were in previously. That can feel confusing if you’re used to a different cut-off date or a different system.

The main stages you’ll hear about are:

Primary school: Ages 5–11 (Years 1–6).
Secondary school: Ages 11–16 (Years 7–11), ending with GCSE exams at 16.
Sixth form or college: Ages 16–18, where students usually take A-levels, the IB or vocational courses.

If you tell a UK school your child’s date of birth, they will normally place them in the year group for that age. It’s worth checking this early — especially if your child is close to the cut-off date, or if you’re moving during an exam year.

2. State schools, private schools, and what’s realistic for relocating families

Most families moving to the UK with school-age children end up looking at one (or a mix) of three options:

State-funded (government) schools

No tuition fees; funded by the state.
Admissions are based on clear rules, often including how close you live to the school.
Great if you want your child fully immersed in local life.

Independent (private) and international schools

Charge fees, but often provide smaller classes, broader activities and more experience with international pupils.
Some follow the UK curriculum, some offer the IB, and some combine both — which can help if you may move again.
Admissions are handled directly by the school and may include tests, interviews and reports from current schools.

Home education

Legal in England (GOV.UK guidance) if children receive a full-time, suitable education.
Usually chosen by families who want maximum flexibility or need a short-term solution between schools.

What’s “best” depends on your child, your budget, your visa status and where you’re going to live. For many families, the realistic starting point is: “Which areas work for my commute and budget, and within those, what schools are actually available?”

3. Timing the move: school calendars vs corporate timelines

This is where it often feels messy for parents on corporate relocation packages.

UK schools run from early September to mid-July, with three main terms. Application deadlines for the big intake points — starting primary at 4–5 and starting secondary at 11 — are months in advance, typically in the autumn or winter before September.

But relocations don’t always follow that rhythm. You might be asked to move in January, May, or at short notice.

A few practical tips that help:

Start school thinking as soon as the move is “likely” — not only when it’s confirmed.
If possible, look at schools before you commit to a specific neighbourhood or rental — in many areas, school options and house choices are tightly linked.
If you’re arriving mid-year, expect to apply for “in-year admissions”: places that become available when another child leaves. This can mean less choice, so a bit of flexibility on area or school type helps.

Many families find this stage the most stressful: you’re balancing work demands, an international move, and a child who just wants to know “Which school am I going to?”

4. Everyday practicalities for working parents

Beyond finding a good school, you also need a day-to-day routine that actually works for your family.

Commute and school run

How will your child get to school each day? Is it walkable, a short bus ride, a train, or will you be driving? If you (or your partner) have a long commute, you don’t want a school run on the opposite side of town.

Wraparound care

Many primary schools offer breakfast clubs and after-school clubs; secondary schools often have after-school activities but may not have “childcare” in the same sense. This really matters if you’re working full-time.

Holidays and term dates

The UK has a long summer break and several shorter breaks during the year. It’s worth understanding how this aligns (or clashes) with your work patterns and any travel plans back home.

Curriculum gaps and language

If your child is switching into English-medium learning for the first time, or moving from a very different curriculum, they may need extra support for a while. Some schools are great at this; in other cases, private tutoring can make a big difference in the first 6–12 months.

5. Helping your child through the transition

Even if the move is an exciting career step for you, for your child it’s a big leap into the unknown: new country, new school, possibly a new language and definitely new friends.

A few things other parents tell us helped:

Involve them early

Show them photos or videos of the UK, the area you’re moving to, and potential schools. Let them ask questions — and be honest if you don’t have all the answers yet.

Keep some routines familiar

Similar bedtimes, family rituals (Friday pizza night, weekend walks, whatever matters to you) give a sense of stability when everything else is changing.

Keep old friendships alive

Help them swap contact details with friends before you leave, and make time for calls or messages once you arrive.

Bridge the academic gap

If you know there’s a jump in maths, English or another key subject, a bit of targeted support — at home or with a tutor — before or just after the move can stop small gaps becoming big confidence issues.

Most children adapt far better than parents expect, especially if they feel listened to and the adults around them are calm and confident about the plan — even if it’s not perfect yet.

6. Where Ariston Education fits in

Moving to a new country while managing a demanding job is a lot. Decoding the UK school system on top of that — working out which areas have good schools, which schools suit your child specifically, what all the paperwork means, and whether your child needs extra support once they arrive — can feel like a full-time job in itself.

We’ve helped families go from “we have no idea where to start” to a clear, workable plan. Whether that’s finding the right school for your 13-year-old mid-year, getting your child up to speed on the GCSE curriculum, or just having someone who knows the system walk you through the options — that’s what we’re here for. You can find out more about our relocation support service, or if you’re ready to talk through your specific situation, book a free call — we’ll listen to where your family is at and give you an honest view of your options, no pressure.