Figure 1.--The state and private schools in England have different orm (grade) systems. The terms have changed over time. These boys are in a private (independnt) preparatory school. They are in the 5th form (11-12 year olds). In America tht would be the 6th grade, the last year of elementary school or in many states a middle school grade. In the English state systen, that would now be Year 7, the first year of secondary school. In the old English system that would be the 1st Form, also the beginning of secondary school.

Grade (form) trends in English schools are a little more complicated than in American schools. Americans where the basic system is standardized with children beginning achool at age 6 years in 1st grade (or age 5 years if they start in Kindergarten). They then proceeed in lock step: elementary schools (grades 1-6), junior high school (grades 7-9), and senior high schools (grades 10-12) was widely adopted througout the country. Middle schools replacing junior highs only slightly muddied the waters. American schools tend to use 'elenentsry' rather tham primary. With the demise of junior highs, the 9th grade has shiffted to the senior highs. Private schools generally followed this basic system. The system in Briitain is more complicated. There are more different kinds if schools with more varied age spans. A British reader tells us, "Our Primary schools, sometimes called infant schools, often now take 'pre-school' child as well as children from 5-11. At age 11 years children usually go to seconday school where the age range is 11-19. Some state education authorities have middle schools which take the 9-13 year age groups. In recent years the British systen has become: Infants/Primary (Recption-Year 1), Junior (Year 2-6), Secondary (Year 7-11), Secondary/Sixth Form College (Year 12-13). Infants has become a term moving towaed Kinfergarten/nursery school. In the 19th century it was the term used for what was essentily primary school. The private or independent sector is somewhat different and has not changed like the state system. It now tends to include what is called 'pre-prep' which takes children as soon as they are out of nappies. At age 7-8 years or so they go into the junior or preparatory school where they stay until 12-13 yearsof age and go to their public (private secondary) school. There is a gender difference here. Many girls going to a single gender girl's public school move from their prep school at age 11 years.

American Grades

Grade (form) trends in English schools are a little more complicated than in American schools. Americans where the basic system is standardized with children beginning achool at age 6 years in 1st grade (or age 5 years if they start in Kindergarten). They then proceeed in lock step: elementary schools (grades 1-6), junior high school (grades 7-9), and senior high schools (grades 10-12) was widely adopted througout the country. Middle schools replacing junior highs only slightly muddied the waters. American schools tend to use 'elenentsry' rather tham primary. With the demise of junior highs, the 9th grade has shiffted to the senior highs. Private schools in America generally followed this basic system.

English State System

The grades or what the British call forms in England are more more complicated. There are more different kinds if schools with more varied age spans. A British reader tells us, "Our Primary schools, sometimes called infant schools, often now take 'pre-school' child as well as children from 5-11. At age 11 years children usually go to seconday school where the age range is 11-19. Some state education authorities have middle schools which take the 9-13 year age groups. In recent years the British systen has become: Infants/Primary (Recption-Year 1), Junior (Year 2-6), Secondary (Year 7-11), Secondary/Sixth Form College (Year 12-13). Infants has become a term moving towaed Kinfergarten/nursery school. In the 19th century it was the term used for what was essentily primary school.

English Private System

The private or independent sector is somewhat different and has not changed significantly like the state system. There are some differences from school to school, but the system is fairly standardized. It now tends to include what is called 'pre-prep' which takes children as soon as they are out of nappies. At age 7-8 years or they go into the junior or preparatory school where they stay until 12-13 yearsof age and go to their public (private secondary) school. There is a gender difference here. Many girls going to a single gender girl's public school move from their prep school at age 11 years.