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Education system and learning 

Did you know... There is a petrified prehistoric forest buried beneath the beach at St Ouen.

Education in Jersey is of a very high standard, with examination results equivalent to the upper quartile of UK education authorities. There are 3 systems:

  • free States schools
  • fee-paying States schools
  • private fee-paying schools

Education in Jersey is administered by the Department for Education, Sport and Culture. Their aim is to provide high quality learning and leisure opportunities for all residents of the Island. It is committed to creating the best educational experience for all students throughout their academic life.

Full time compulsory education begins at the start of the term during which children have their 5th birthday. Places are offered to children at the beginning of the school year in which their 5th birthday falls.

Jersey offers:

  • high educational standards (performance at GCSE and A Level exceeds that of the UK average)
  • low pupil / teacher ratios
  • wide range of schools
  • registered family day carers, pre-school and day nurseries
  • 22 non fee paying primary schools
  • 4 non fee paying secondary schools (11 to 16 years)
  • 1 non fee paying school (14 to 18 years.)
  • 4 schools catering for children with special needs
  • 2 fee paying primary schools (States sector)
  • 2 fee paying secondary schools (States sector)
  • 5 private primary schools
  • 2 private secondary schools
  • 1 private preparatory schools for children 4 to 14 years
  • 1 private preparatory schools for children 4 to 11 years (which prepare students for entrance for UK boarding schools)
  • post 16 education available at 5 schools
  • academic and vocational courses available at Highlands College (a partner college with Plymouth University and links with Southampton, Bournemouth and South Bank universities)

The Jersey curriculum defines the knowledge, skills and understanding which constitute the educational entitlement of all pupils of statutory school age. This entitlement takes account of individual needs and starting points so that pupils achieve their full potential, irrespective of gender, age, disability, ethnic or social background.

Jersey’s Education Department works in partnership with a wide range of organisations, to ensure that everyone is able to fulfil their potential. The Island is focused on lifelong learning, in order to ensure that its people remain competitive and up to date, and that business is able to capitalise on the new skills learnt.

Preschool information (education section)
Schools and schooling information (education section)
Adult education (education section)
Childcare information (caring and support section)



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