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General
The education system is slightly different in different parts of the UK. Reading is based on the system in England, in which, the academic year is calculated as of the 1st of September.
There is the legal requirement for children aged between 5 and 16 years old to receive full time education. The National Curriculum in England is constructed in five Key Stages (see Primary school and Secondary school for further details).
Regarding school types, there are state school and private school, and can be run by faith-based groups as well. Children are allowed to receive home-schooling. There’s online and local tutoring available.
Many schools and nurseries have options to pay for additional hours with breakfast clubs, lunch clubs, after-school clubs, and holiday clubs.
There may be occasions when you are not able to pick up your children on time due to work commitments, so you can arrange an after-school club for them. The remaining page provides further information on nursery, primary school, secondary school, university, adult education and special education needs.
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Nursery
Nurseries generally cater for children aged 2-4. All children aged 3-4 are entitled to 15 hours of free education per week (term time of 38 weeks a year). You may be entitled to 30 hours of free education at some of these establishments if both parents are working.
Useful Links
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Primary school
Key Stage 1 – 2
Primary School (Years 1 to 6): aged between 5 and 11 years old.
Year Group for 2022/2023 Date of Birth Reception 1/9/2017 – 31/8/2018 Year 1 1/9/2016 – 31/8/2017 Year 2 1/9/2015 – 31/8/2016 Year 3 1/9/2014 – 31/8/2015 Year 4 1/9/2013 – 31/8/2014 Year 5 1/9/2012 – 31/8/2013 Year 6 1/9/2011 – 31/8/2012 Useful Links
Schools in Reading are organised by council.
Reading: Children and education – Reading Borough Council
Wokingham: Schools and education – Wokingham Borough Council
West Berkshire: Schools and Education – West Berkshire
FAQs
My child born in Dec 2013 and was studied P.3 in Hong Kong before moving to UK. Could I apply the Year 3 in UK for her?
If you would apply for the state schools, your child will be entered into Year 4 according to the National Curriculum Year Groups.
If you would apply for the private schools, you could discuss with the relevant schools. Some of them will consider your requests.
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Secondary school
Key Stage 3 – 4
Secondary School (Years 7 to 11): aged between 12 and 16 years old.
At the age of 16 (the end of Key Stage 4 and Year 11), all pupils take a series of exams called the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), the examination results would be used for applying the 6th Form or other further studies.
Key Stage 5
The 6th Form (Years 12 to 13) aged between 17 and 18 years old, most schools take A-Level exams after a two-year course. The examination results would be used for applying the University or other further studies.
Year Group for 2022/2023 Date of Birth Year 7 1/9/2010 – 31/8/2011 Year 8 1/9/2009 – 31/8/2010 Year 9 1/9/2008 – 31/8/2009 Year 10 1/9/2007 – 31/8/2008 Year 11 1/9/2006 – 31/8/2007 Year 12 1/9/2005 – 31/8/2006 Year 13 1/9/2005 – 31/8/2006 Useful Links
FAQs
Entering Year 11 without GCSEs
My child is aged over 16-year-old and Council told me they could not make arrangement for her. However, she was studying Form 5 in HK before we moved to UK. We have asked several schools with 6th Form. They said they could not arrange for her to study Year 11 and also could not consider her for 6th Form without the GCSE result.
What could I do for her?
- To take the GCSE by self-study and then connect back to the formal education system with the results
- To apply the College for the GCSE programme or for the skills-based programme (in which the subjects of English and Math for GCSE examination would be covered).
- Your child could apply for the private schools and discuss with the relevant schools. Some of them will consider your requests.
Apply for the Apprenticeship programme and learn in the workplace with further studies.
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University
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University
Some of the world-recognised universities are located in the UK with over 160 universities offering a large variety of courses and study options. Reading houses the University of Reading (UoR) with a history of over 90 years. UoR is among the top 30 UK universities in world rankings (ranked 27th out of 90 UK universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2022). Apart from UoR, there are more than 50,000 undergraduate and postgraduate courses available in universities of other regions and cities. Undergraduate degree courses in the UK typically last for 3 years (except for Scotland which last 4 years) and postgraduate or masters courses typically last for 1 year.
Costs
Publicly funded universities usually charge two types of fee: a lower “home” fee for local student and a higher “overseas” fee for international students. International students can expect to pay between £10,000 and £26,000 annually depending on your study level and where in the UK you are studying. Course fee in UoR for international students is between £18,650 and £23,700 (for academic year 2022/23). The living costs covering accommodation, bills, food and other costs can be expected to be around £800 to £1,300 per month. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on any scholarship that you are eligible to apply.
Applications
To apply for undergraduate courses, you can register and apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Services) where you can apply for up to 5 courses for an administration fee. There are guides and information on the courses, application and enrolment process on the UCAS website. In the application process, you will be required to write a personal statement and include references.
To apply for postgraduate courses, it is typically done through direct application in which you will register and set up an applicant account on the university websites. You will be asked for paperwork and documentation such as English language tests, previous qualification, personal statement and references or contact details for a referee.
Visas
Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders can study in university. Hong Kongers without BN(O) visa must apply for the Student Visa (previously called Tier 4 (General) student visa). You can apply when you have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider upon accepting the unconditional offer and the earliest you can apply is 6 months before you start your course.
Useful Links
UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
FAQs
Can Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders be charged the lower “home” fee for course/tuition fee?
It is highly likely that BN(O) visa holders have to pay the “overseas” fees unless if you have lived in the UK for a period of time (say 3 years), we advise you to consult individual universities during application.
What is a personal statement?
A personal statement is a summary to explain why you are interested in the course, the skills you have that make you suitable, and your life experiences and achievement. For further guidance, please see link here.
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Adult Education
Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council both provide Adult Education Service, offering skills and qualifications for adult residents.
Reading Borough Council Adult Learning Service
New Directions College is part of the Adult Learning Service provided by the Reading Borough Council. It offers a variety of part time courses, apprenticeships and traineeships, and English language and Maths improvement classes.
You must be over the age of 19, live and be resident in an area of England (except Devolved Authority Areas). The college offers supports such as Learner Support Fund, Financial Support and Loans for eligible courses and learners.
Wokingham Borough Council Adult Education Service
Wokingham Adult Education Service provides courses for residents living within Wokingham Borough and over 19 years old. It includes courses that support parents and develop skills for work, such as English Language (English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses), IT skills and more. Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders are eligible to apply for courses provided by this service. Course fee exemption is possible depending the individual course provider and your eligibility and personal circumstances. Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders are eligible to apply for ESOL courses.
Useful Links
FAQs
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Special Education Needs
If your child may have additional or special educational needs, the following websites provide further information on how to get further support.
Useful Links
