Stay up to date with UK schools

We’ve seen some big changes in education, and for education suppliers and marketing
to schools, over the last few months.

As most schools across the UK have now reopened to all pupils for the new academic year,
the future is looking bright for education suppliers. We know that schools and teachers are
engaging with the right marketing, and school finances are in a fantastic position.

Take a look at our Education Insights where you’ll find everything you need to know
about what’s happening in schools right now and what it means for education suppliers.

Go to Education Insights now

Most importantly, please take care of yourselves and stay safe.

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Understand UK Education

Home > Resources > Understand UK Education

Want to get the most out of your marketing campaigns?

Understanding your customer is key!

To begin successfully marketing to the UK education sector, it’s important to get to know the schools and education establishments you want to market to.

To get you started, here’s your quick guide to UK education:

UK Schools

  • As of July 2022, there are 32,163 schools, colleges and universities across the whole of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
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  • There are many different types of school, including Academy Schools, Independent Schools, Local Authority Maintained Schools and Special Schools. Find out more in our Guide to UK Schools.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • There are over 20,000 Primary Schools across the UK, which children attend from the age of 4.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • There are around 4,190 Secondary Schools, with children from the ages of 11 to 16.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • There are 9,202 Academy Schools in England, as well as 1,341 Multi-Academy Trusts. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • There are also 2,453 Independent Schools and 1,802 Special Schools all across the UK. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • School term dates vary across the UK. Look at our Term Dates Guide for all the dates in your area.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • Schools employ staff to do all sorts of jobs, from teaching, to HR, to maintenance, and more. In fact, there are over 120 different job roles in UK schools.

Access to Education

  • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) education is taught to children up to the age of 5 years old. All 3 to 4 year olds in England may be eligible for free early education before they start school full time. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • Most children will start school at 4 years old. Compulsory school age for children is on either 31st December, 31st March or 31st August following their fifth birthday, whichever comes first.   ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • Children can leave formal education at the age of 16.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • Many go on to Further Education from ages 16 to 18, and then Higher Education (university) from the age of 18.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • Any children who leave formal education at 16 must start an apprenticeship or traineeship until the age of 18.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • The National Curriculum is divided into fixed stages of study – EYFS and Key Stages 1 to 5. Schools must teach a prescribed course of study for each stage. Read more in our Guide to UK Schools.

School Finances

  • Schools are given their own budget by the Government to buy all the products and services they need. Read our quick Guide to School Finances.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • The UK education budget for 2022-23 is £99.8 billion. This budget has increased since the last budget, with schools across the UK now allocated £55 billion. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
  • The financial year runs from April, except for Academy Schools who run from September. Read our Guide to School Spending to find out about school budgets and how the buying process works.

 

Don’t forget, every school is unique, so the above is very much an overview. But it should be enough  to get you started with your marketing to the UK education sector

 

For more support with your marketing to schools planning, take a look at our resources – you’ll find planning ideas, marketing trends, tips on how to generate more leads, and more.

And as always, feel free to give us a call or email at any time to chat through your marketing plans.

 

 

Our friendly campaign strategists will happily advise you about the best options and put together a bespoke marketing plan for you.

Get in touch now
Our friendly campaign strategists will happily advise you about the best options and put together a bespoke marketing plan for you.