A short guide to the

What parents say...

I would like to thank you for the enthusiastic way in which you have helped Vicky gain confidence in her abilities to learn.  She has been a different child since coming to you and has a more positive view now!
Vicky's Parents
GCSE Maths
Alex says ” I learned more in three months than my whole time in the maths classroom at school. I went from dreading it to feeling much better about being there.” This Summer he was overjoyed to find that he had gone from a Grade 2 in his mocks up to a Grade 4 (C) pass in his final exam.  
Alex
“Thanks for all your hard work with Rebecca Kivlin. She has started Milton Cross this week. Rebecca is in the top set for maths and science, and the second group for everything else. Without coming to Love to Learn she would never have achieved this.  Thanks”    
Julie Powell
Alex had been tested in Year 4 for dyslexia and he came out mildly dyslexic for spelling.  He has a poor short term memory, and we were concerned about him going to Senior School with these problems. Alex started off a bit ‘anti’, but now he agrees that his writing is better and the improvement has been commented on by teachers.  We are so pleased he is getting professional help, and are especially pleased that he now see the benefit and is self-motivated. He now is now asking for help with his Maths too!
Mrs D Wilson
Firstly, I would like to thank yourselves and your staff for all your help and dedication to helping my daughter Saoirse with her maths.  She has shown an improvement with her confidence at attempting to handle the mathematics she is give by her school.  And I feel this is due to the staff at your centre, she had a very rough year in Year 4, with her very unsympathetic teacher and you all helped her through that.  For that I’m very grateful.
Mrs R Wall
At the time of writing this testimonial, my daughter has had only 5 sessions and her confidence and ability has increased significantly!  (Now) she talks of enjoying maths and of her abilities in maths instead of her inabilities, participates more in maths lessons at school and is keen to do her maths homework, both from school and from the sessions.  As a parent I am thrilled that her confidence has grown significantly and would recommend I Love to Learn without hesitation.
S BondParentPortsmouth
“Also can I just say a massive thank you too, Ellie was a bit apprehensive before her first session but when she came home last week she was absolutely buzzing, she loved her time spent there and felt so much happier even after just one session. So thank you, she has been so worried about her exams especially English.”
"Thank You."
Thank you for your lovely card.  You have helped with my creative writing and vocabulary.  I have grown in confidence and I appreciate your help.
Naomi

She says “I Love to Learn Now!”

Mariana brought her daughter to us as she was having a few problems with maths at school.  She liked it so much that now she comes for English as well!  Mariana says that now “She is more confident with math now and she’s coming to I Love to Learn for pleasure.  She is very happy with her teacher, she says she is very kind and patient.”    
Howard JonesI Love to Learn
She is a quiet girl and I was concerned that her poor spelling was not being corrected.  When she saw the progress Bella was making in such a short time, I enrolled her for Maths as well!   It has transformed her thinking and she now has the self-esteem to ask questions in both numeracy and literacy.
Ms R Temple

Navigating the UK Education System: A Friendly Guide for Parents

The UK Education System Explained (England)UK Ed

Hello, wonderful parents! If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head over the UK education system, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Understanding the ins and outs of Key Stages, infant schools, primary schools, secondary schools, and sixth form colleges can seem like deciphering a secret code. Fear not, though – we’re here to break it down for you in a friendly and digestible way. Although there may be exceptions to what follows (e.g. some counties still have Grammar Schools), this is how schools are divided in the majority of UK education authorities.

Key Stages 1-4: The Building Blocks of Learning

Let’s kick things off with Key Stages. These are like the chapters in your child’s education book, and there are four of them: Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7), Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11), Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14), and Key Stage 4/GCSEs (ages 14-16). Each stage has its own set of educational goals and milestones, ensuring your little one gets a well-rounded education.

schoolkidsInfant Schools: Where the Journey Begins (Reception to Year 1)

Picture this: your child, waving goodbye, stepping into the world of education for the first time. Welcome to infant schools, the start of the adventure! Here, in Key Stage 1, kids dive into the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. It’s a time of discovery and play, focused on the building blocks of learning.

Junior Schools: Nurturing the Growing Minds (Year 2-6)

As your little explorer advances to Key Stage 2, they enter the realm of primary schools. These are the places where subjects get a bit more specific, and the excitement of learning truly takes flight. From science experiments to creative writing, primary schools lay the groundwork for a love of learning. Plus, with the support of fantastic teachers, your child begins to uncover their unique strengths and interests.

Primary Schools: (Sometimes Infant and Junior Schools are combined) (Reception to Year 6)

In some areas, children complete Key Stages 1 and 2 in the same school.

SecondaryStudentSecondary Schools: Teenagers and Textbooks (Year 7-11)

Hold onto your hats, parents – secondary school is here! Key Stage 3 introduces a wider range of subjects, allowing your child to explore areas they may not have encountered before. It’s a time of self-discovery, both academically and personally. As they dive into Key Stage 4, those all-important GCSEs come into play. These exams set the stage for future academic endeavours, so buckle up for a few years of hard work and achievements.

Sixth Form Colleges: The Bridge to Adulthood (Year 12-13)

After the whirlwind of Key Stages 1-4, your teenager reaches the crossroads: sixth form colleges. Here, in the magical realm of college, they specialise in a few chosen subjects, which may be vocational or academic, with a wide range of qualifications available, e.g. apprenticeships– A-levels, BTECs, or T-levels. These qualifications can open doors to universities and shape the path for future careers. It’s a time of increased independence and responsibility, where your child transforms from a student to a young adult.

In a nutshell, the UK education system is a journey. It’s the tale of your child’s growth, knowledge expansion, and the blossoming of their unique potential. So, to all the parents out there, fear not! Armed with this friendly guide, you’re ready to be the supportive co-pilot in your child’s educational adventure. Here’s to the exciting chapters ahead!

National Curriculum: Key stages

The National Curriculum was established in 1988, provides a framework for education in England and Wales for students between the ages of 5 and 18. While the National Curriculum is followed by most state schools, some private schools and academies design their own curricula.

Key Stage School Year       Age      
Primary Education 1 1 5-6 Primary education begins at age 5 and continues until age 11. At the end of Key Stage 1 (year 2) and Key Stage 2 (year 6), pupils take compulsory SATs (Standard Assessment Tests).
2 6-7
2 3 7-8
4 8-9
5 9-10
6 10-11
Secondary Education 3 7 11-12 During Year 9, students choose which subjects to study at Key Stage 4. These will be the subjects they take for their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams at the end of year 11.
8 12-13
9 13-14
4 10 14-15
11 15-16
Further Education 12 16-17 At the end of students’ secondary education, they can either pursue academic qualifications such as A-Levels or IB in order to go to university, or vocational qualifications such as NVQs and BTECs to prepare them for full time employment.
13 17-18
Higher Education University 17+ To find out more details about applying to universities in the UK, please visit University Application.

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