Everything I Need to Know about British Schools I learned from Harry Potter*

*Ok, not everything, but quite a bit.

As an American unfamiliar with British schools, I didn't realize how much the books matched the genuine school system. The longer we are here, the more I see that they are very similar.

• The head of school is called the Headmaster or Headmistress as opposed to the American version which is the Principal.
• The schools are broken out into Houses and the children earn house points through academics and sports fixtures (aka competitions), such as Rugby, Hockey, Rounders, Cricket, and Netball.
• At age 11 children start at Grammar School or Secondary School where they attend for 7 years, the same as Harry heading off to Hogwarts.
• During their 5th year of Grammar School they take GCSE's in a variety of subjects, these are known as O.W.L.S. in Harry Potter.
• During their last year of Grammar School they take A-Levels in subjects they have focused on for the previous 2 years, known as N.E.W.T.s in Harry Potter.
• Boarding is an option at some Grammar Schools, but is not required.
• The older students at both Primary and Grammar schools are Prefects.
• And there are a Head Boy and Head Girl at the Grammar schools.

Some differences between UK and US schools.....

• All schools here require a uniform.  
• Non-uniform days at school don't happen very often, but when they do they are referred to as mufti-day. 
• Children are placed into their year group (equivalent to our grade levels) strictly based on their age. There is no holding children back or skipping a year based on academics. 
• Children start school a year earlier here at age 4 and this grade is called reception.  The following year the grades are number just like in the US....Year 1, Year 2, etc.
• Mathematics is called Maths, yes with an 's' on the end, the same goes for Spellings.
• Schools can serve alcohol at events such as plays, fairs, etc.