Japanese Schools

Japan only requires nine years of compulsory education. The Japanese education system consists of six years of elementary school, three years of middle school and three years of high school. Japanese elementary schools tend to be highly-organized but fun and emphasise community responsibility and group activities.

Academic year starts in April. In England, the academic year starts in September

Kindergarten is compulsory. At the age of 3, every child in Japan goes to kindergarten where she studies basic Math, reading and writing.

Education in elementary and secondary schools is free. Education in high schools and universities is always paid.

To enter a school, every child has to pass the exams. That is compulsory showing the level of knowledge even at such early age.

They have no homework in primary schools but Japanese secondary and high school students write papers, essays and have plenty of other assignments all the time. They are the busiest pupils in the world.

A typical Japanese classroom consists of 30-40 pupils

In Japan, kids go to school on Saturday as well whereas in England, it is Monday to Friday.

Summer holidays lasts for 40 days from mid-July till late August. Winter and spring – for 10 days. There are no holidays in Autumn. In England, we do have half term in Autumn.

The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts, primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education. Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and secondary education which runs from about 5 years old until the student is 16 years old.

Key Stage 1: Years 1 and 2 (up to age 7) Key Stage 2: Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (age 7 to 11) Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8 and 9 (age 11 to 14) Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11 (age 14 to 16)