Education in Meridian

The education in the Meridian uses a fairly complex system. All the schools and universites are managed by the HM Department of Education, the SATS results are managed by HM Standards and Testing, also school ratings are managed by the HM Office Standards of Schools.

Schools
The school year starts at 6th September in Kent, Essex, Sussex and 7th in both Thames Regions. Education is compulsory for all children from their fifth birthday to the last Friday in June of the school year in which they turn 16.   This will be raised, in 2013, to the year in which they turn 17 and, in 2015, to their 18th birthday.

State-funded school system
State-run schools and colleges are financed through national  taxation, and take pupils free of charge between the ages of 3 and 18. The schools may levy charges for activities such as swimming, theatre visits and field trips, provided the charges are voluntary, thus ensuring that those who cannot afford to pay are allowed to participate in such events.

School Years
The table below describes the most common patterns for schooling in the state sector in the Meridian. Children are normally placed in year groups determined by the age they will attain at their birthday during the school year.  In most cases progression from one year group to another is based purely on chronological age, although it is possible in some circumstances for a student to repeat or skip a year. Repetition may be due to a lack of attendance, for example from a long illness, and especially in Years requiring standard tests. A child significantly more advanced than their classmates may be forwarded one or more years.