Transitioning from Scottish to English schooling

Hi everyone! I'm moving from Scotland to England so I'm unsure of how their education system works down there. In Scotland I was in S4 and did my Nat 5s, got my results and also began S5 last week. I'm not 16 yet until the beginning of next year so I'm wondering if I'll be in year 11 and do GCSEs or year 12 and do A levels because I'm aware Nat 5s are technically equal to GCSEs. Some people have told me that there's no need to take GCSEs or I won't be allowed to take them but I'm not sure if it's true because I'm not familiar with the English education system and because of my age as I'm not going to be 16 before September. If anyone has gone through this experience I'll really appreciate your help and also any advise from anyone! Thank you!

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

NOTJUSTTME

Reply 2

amaya-papaya

I'm not Scottish but I'd imagine you'd go straight to a-level, normally in England we do 9-10 gcses, whereas I think at nat 5 you do something like 7? so you'd have to pick up subjects you hadn't done at nat 5. I'm sure you'd be allowed into sixth form even if you're not 16, I know a couple of people who are a year younger or older than the rest of their year at school due to moving or other circumstances. at alevels we do 3 or sometimes 4 subjects rather than the regular 5? at higher. and then a-levels last 2 years. sometimes schools do AS which is kind of like highers I guess but they're mostly phased out now, I only really know people who do AS in fm or one subject alongside a-level.

Reply 3

amaya-papaya

also what a-levels would you be considering

Reply 4

EnchantixWarrior

Is there a way for you to ask your school (in Scotland or England) provider? And will you be moving before your 16th or after? If you are lucky, you won't be expected to take GCSEs, however they are only 'technically equivalent', thus you may have learnt more or less. If it's less you may just be told to be in yr11 lessons, but not have to do GCSEs, however if it is higher, you may be able to be moved up to yr12. I have only honestly heard it for people (from other countries) to be moved down (in your case stay in yr11) based on their academic abilities, but there is a potential for you to go into yr12. I also think the grades you got in your Nat5s will play a big role. Do you know what school you are going to go to? (Not the name of it ovc, just sixthform, college, secondary school?)