London offers a broad range of state-funded and private education options

• London schools fall into two categories:
  • state — non-fee paying schools funded by the government. These include community, foundation, voluntary-aided and voluntary-controlled schools.
  • independent, private and public — fee-paying schools that receive no state funding and that are managed by special trusts. Find out more about schools in your target London area:
    • Schools Net Guide
    • Independent Schools Council
• Age groups (state schools):
  • Nursery — 3-4 (non-compulsory)
  • Infant — 4-7
  • Junior — 7-11
  • Primary — combining infant, junior and nursery classes
  • Secondary — 11-16 years. Some educate pupils between 16-18
  • Sixth form colleges — 16-18
• International schools: London is home to a number of high-quality international schools, educating pupils from two years of age upwards.  Think London has links with the American Community School which has campuses in south and west London 
• National Curriculum: all state schooling is governed by the national curriculum, which defines the subjects and skills taught together with attainment targets and assessment methods
• Standards and league tables: all state schools are inspected by the Independent Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) — a government department which reports on achievement standards. The government also publishes league tables which outline the performance of all schools in England. Read reports for your target London area.