Year 12: age, curriculum and assessments
Year 12 is the first year of sixth form, whether at a school sixth form, a sixth form college or a further education college.
The answer
Young people in Year 12 are 16 or 17 years old. Year 12 is in the sixth form, and every child turns 17 during the year.
Year 12 at a glance
Year 12 is in the sixth form, sometimes called Key Stage 5, for ages 16 to 18. The national curriculum ends at Year 11. Most students start three A levels, a T level (a two-year technical course) or another level 3 course in Year 12. Some start an apprenticeship instead.
- Age
- 16 to 17
- Key stage
- Sixth form
- Where
- Sixth form or college
- National assessments
- None
What children learn in Year 12
Taken from the rules for post-16 study in England: there is no national curriculum after Year 11.
Maths in Year 12
- Optional for students with grade 4 or above at GCSE. Many take A level maths, further maths, or core maths, a smaller course in using maths in real life.
- Students without grade 4 must keep studying maths; with grade 3 they retake the GCSE, often in November or the summer.
English in Year 12
- A level English literature, English language, or the combined course, each with a piece of coursework.
- Students without grade 4 in GCSE English keep studying it too.
Tests and assessments in Year 12
Most A level exams come at the end of Year 13, so many schools set internal exams in the summer term of Year 12. T level students start their course, and the industry placement of at least 45 days can begin in Year 12.
Is your child in Year 12?
Enter a date of birth to check which year group a child is in today, for this school year.
A school year finder loads here in your browser: enter a date of birth to see the year group.
How to help at home in Year 12
- Expect more independent study: help your child plan free periods as working time.
- Look at universities, apprenticeships and jobs together in the summer term, including open days.
- Encourage a part-time job, volunteering or work experience: they help with applications later.
- Check in on the jump in difficulty from GCSE. The first term is often the hardest.
Other year groups
Questions parents ask
What age is Year 12?
Young people in Year 12 are 16 or 17 years old. Children in the same year group are born between 1 September in one year and 31 August the next, so each child turns 17 at some point during Year 12.
What key stage is Year 12?
Year 12 is in the sixth form, sometimes called Key Stage 5, for ages 16 to 18. The national curriculum ends at Year 11.
Is Year 12 compulsory?
Staying in education or training is compulsory until 18 in England, but it does not have to be sixth form. An apprenticeship, college, or work or volunteering with part-time study all count.
What is a T level?
A two-year technical qualification, worth the same as three A levels, in areas such as digital, health or engineering. It includes an industry placement of at least 45 days.
How many A levels do students take?
Most take three A levels. Some take four, and some combine A levels with other qualifications.
Sixth form started, and a younger one in primary?
Years 4 to 6 are when the 11+ is prepared for. The free diagnostic shows a younger child’s maths, English and reasoning, and what to do next. No card is required.