the upper secondary stage
14-16 years old
5 to 10
11-14 years old
mandatory examinations
Year 7
Key stage 4
influence for university application
takes 2 years
Year 10 in Nothern Ireland
after year 13 = full A levels
Key stage 3
at the age of 11
Year 9
Five to seven years
Year 8
Year 11
Year 11 and 12 in Nothern Ireland
National Curriculum
Chosen over a diploma
At the end= GSCE
main admission requirement
Year 10
General Certificate of Secondary Education
English, math, science
