The English school system is a bit complicated to understand or, at least, it was for me.
It is divided into primary school, secondary school and higher education. Primary school is from 4 to 11 years old, secondary school is from 11 to 16 years old and higher education is from 16 to 18 years old.
The study is compulsory up to the age of 18.
Schools are generally government-run and follow a national curriculum which includes a wide range of subjects, including English, mathematics, science, history and geography.
Students must choose a limited number of courses, although they have the option to study specific subjects according to their preferences.

It is important to note that the English school system is highly standardized and follows a rigorous evaluation and monitoring system.
Students are assessed through examinations and regular reports are sent to parents to inform them of the students' progress.
In general, the English school system is known for being extremely rigorous and for offering a high-quality education that prepares students for success in the academic and professional worlds.
The English school system is regulated, supervised and controlled by the Ministry of Education.
Schools are generally closed for 2 weeks at Christmas and Easter.
The English school year is divided into 3 terms: the Autumn term goes from September to December, the Spring term from January to March and the Summer term from March-April to May-June.
The school day begins between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning and ends around mid-afternoon.
Lessons last 40-50 minutes and there are usually two breaks, a short one mid-morning and one of around 30 minutes for lunch.
Students are not divided into classes but follow courses, chosen based on their previous school experience and the school's specific offerings.
Generally there are no oral tests and students are evaluated with written tests and class assignments.
The UK education system works differently between England, Scotland and Wales.
These differences concern qualifications obtained, intermediate exams, but also age of access to primary school and university.
In Scotland, for instance, it is possible to attend a 14th year of school before enrolling at the university.
There are no relevant differences with Wales and Northern Ireland for secondary school compared to England.
In the United Kingdom there are, in addition to public schools, numerous private boarding schools that offer academic training for all school years, from nursery to the final year of high school.
The study programs offered are equivalent between public schools and private, day and boarding schools.
For post-diplomas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, undergraduate degree courses are available, lasting 3 or 4 years, as well as combined study and work programs called apprenticeships, lasting a total of 6 years.
After graduation, numerous postgraduate, Masters and Doctorate programs are also available.

The GCSE program is the curriculum followed in Year 10 between the ages of 14 and 16, in English secondary schools.
With GCSE, students take between 9 and 12 subjects and some subjects are compulsory, such as English, Mathematics, History and Geography, a foreign language, Science and others are chosen according to the student's preferences and aptitudes.
At the end of the two-year GCSE period, students take exams for each subject, and obtain the GCSE, or the General Certificate of Secondary Education.
At this point, since compulsory schooling has finished, they can decide whether to stop studying, or whether to continue with other two years, choosing between the A Level programme, the Btec/Ctech courses or the IB diploma.
The subjects and study of the two-year GCSE course are very important as preparation for the final two-year period of high school.
The final two years of English high school is called Sixth Form.
The first option is the A Level English diploma with 3 or 4 study subjects chosen based on the university faculty of interest and with final exams in the fourth year.
The A Level diploma is recognized both in Italy and in the rest of the world for university enrollment.
The second option is the Btec programme, or, more recently, the C-Tech programme, equivalent in content and validity.
The third option is the IB International Baccalaureate program, widely recognized both in the UK and abroad for university enrollment.