The school education system in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is divided into three stages: http://www.britishcouncil.org.uk/education/system/se/index.htm

primary education - up to age eleven
secondary education - up to age sixteen
tertiary education - for those over the age of sixteen.

'School education': refers to the compulsory phases of education which the law requires children to attend: primary and secondary.

Scotland and Northern Ireland
In Scotland there is no legally prescribed national curriculum but the Scottish Executive Education Department sets out guidelines for teachers.

The curriculum in Northern Ireland is set by the Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.

England and Wales
In 1988 the National Curriculum was introduced into schools in England and Wales.
The National Curriculum in England and Wales is divided into four Key Stages (KS), three core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) and nine non-core foundation subjects.

Handout 2 offers further information.

http://www.nc.uk.net/subject_key.html

Illustrations concerning the School System are offered as "add ons".