where will he be when he's 14?

[JJ]

What are the ages for changing schools? I'm looking for something simple like : elementary from age 5 - age 10, middle from 11-13, high school 14-18 (all ages approx and that's the general US system).

We're planning on moving back to the US when my son is 14 (7-8 years from now) so that he can go to an American high school. But what will he do in the English system between now, age 6 1/2 and then?

Thanks. I should know this, but only really ever figured out when he was supposed to start reception. And that was difficult enough for me!

kids move into secondary school at the age of 11. (unless your area does middle schools when things are different). Most areas just have secondary schools, so kids move at 11. At 6.5, he will probably be going into year 2 in sept (depends on when his birthday is). He will move up a year every year, and will leave primary 6 to move into secondary 7 .

Depends if you are talking state or private. State is legally the term following the child's 5th birthday until the age of 7 for infants. Age 7 until 11 for juniors, 11 to 16 for secondary school. Then it's either 6th form , which is attached to a school, or a sixth form college until the age of 18, then uni.

Private schools have their own system. When dd1 went to prep school, they had pre prep from the age of 2 until 7, then prep from 7 til 11. Other schools keep them until the age of 13, some keep them all the way through their school years.

Thanks! That helps a lot. Am I supposed to do anything now about secondary schools beyond sending him to primary?

Nope. When he gets closer to the right age, have a look at schools then.

Yay!! Thank you.

And your primary will have links to locals schools. Secondary schools also have open evenings where you can have a looksee and decided what is best for your child. They may also send Y7 kids back to their old primary to tell the kids what it is like.

Thanks, hmb. I'm putting it out of my mind until the time comes.

This really helps a lot.. you probably don't realize it, so want you both to know.