The structure of the English educational system
Compulsory schooling

This part of the article does not apply to the minority of privately financed Independent Schools, which, by definition, have independent approaches to education, and different age ranges.

Formal education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 16 (inclusive) across England. This can be provided by state schools, independent schools, or homeschooling. [1] Note that in England, compulsory schooling currently ends on the last Friday in June during the academic year in which a pupil attains the age of 16[2]. Current government proposals are to raise the age until which students must continue to receive some form of education or training to 18. [3] This is expected to take place by 2013.

This diagram represents the most common for schooling in the state sector in England, involving a break at age 11. Where ages are given, it is expected that all pupils will reach the lower age given in the bracket by the 1st September of that academic year.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Diagram_of_UK_School_System.svg