Jersey’s education system consists of nurseries, pre-schools and compulsory primary school from age 4 until 11 and secondary school until 16. You can also take two optional, additional years of further education or training.
The standard of schooling in Jersey is high. Exam results show how Jersey compares with the UK.
Find more information about school performance in education reports and documents.
Individual schools publish information on primary school and secondary school websites.
To access free, government-funded education in Jersey, you must have the appropriate immigration status. For pre-school (3 to 4 years) and compulsory school-age (5 to 16) access to government-funded education is available to:
British and EEA (European Economic Area, which include the European Union) children
Third Country Nationals holding the appropriate visa
Find out about free early learning for children, where it's offered and how to register for a school nursery place.
If you’re moving with a family including young children, you may need to arrange childcare. There are a number of childcare options in the island:
Type of childcare | Description |
Centre care | For children, from babies up to the age of 12 years. There’s a manager in charge of the team of staff who care for the children in a registered setting. |
Childminders | Self-employed carers who usually care for children in their own home and who need to be registered with a regulatory authority. Childminders care for children from babies to 12 years and provide full day or term times only or all year round care and learning. |
Crèches | Provide irregular temporary childcare that can be used on an ad-hoc basis. |
Nannies or au pairs | They don’t need to be a registered childcare provider and childcare is arranged privately. |
Within centre care there are three types of settings:
Type of centre care | Description |
Day nurseries | Offer care and education for children from their first year of life until they enter full-time education. Day nurseries are open all year round, usually only closing on public holidays. The opening hours are to fit the needs of working parents. |
Preschools | For children from 2 years of age to school entry age. Preschools offer childcare and education on a sessional basis of up to 5 hours, usually in the morning. However, some preschools also offer afternoon sessions. Most follow school term-time hours of opening, but some offer the facility during the school holidays. |
School-age care | For children attending nursery classes and full-time education, up to the age of 12 years. There are 3 types of school age settings:
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It is not compulsory for children under 5 to be in nursery / childcare. However, you can register your interest for a school nursery place at any time. For most parents, places are allocated based on the date that you register so the earlier you apply the more chance you have of getting a place.
You can claim tax relief against your childcare cost if your child attends a registered child care provider.
Your child can get up to 30 free hours per week of government-funded nursery education in the school year that they turn four years old. These free hours are term-time only (over 38 weeks) and start from the beginning of the school year (September). You can apply for a free place at a government primary school nursery or in a NEF-registered nursery in the private or voluntary sector.
There are three types of schooling systems in Jersey:
non-fee-paying government schools
fee-paying government schools (part government-funded)
private fee-paying schools
Children start school in the September of the school year that they are five. Places are offered to parents in February.
Parents can choose to delay their child until the beginning of the term that they are five, but this is very unusual.
Jersey has 22 non-fee paying government primary schools and 5 non-fee-paying government secondary schools.
In addition to these non-fee-paying schools, there are several fee-paying government and private schools in the island. Fees for these vary from school to school.
A list of all primary schools and secondary schools.
Government school places are allocated by the department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES).
You can apply for a government school place via Finding and applying for a school.
Private schools manage their own admissions, so need to be contacted directly.
Jersey’s school catchment area is the geographic area from which students may be eligible to attend a local school. There are 22 primary school and four secondary school catchment areas.
You should register with your catchment school. Parents may request up to three schools in order of preference. If a school is oversubscribed, there is a priority order for applications.
Find your primary or secondary school catchment area using our online map.
Moving to Jersey: Find childcare and schools
Compulsory education ends at 16 years old. After compulsory education there are various employment, training and further education options available to young people.
Post-16: full-time education options once you finish after year 11
Traditional academic courses:
AS
A2
International Baccalaureate
Vocational courses:
BTEC
International Baccalaureate
NVQ
City & Guilds
For information about careers, see 16 to 24 year olds careers information.
A high number of students who complete their A levels in Jersey choose to continue to study at university. Highlands College and BPP CI in the island offer university degrees for those who wish to continue studying in Jersey. However, the majority of students choose to study at a UK university.
Secondary schools are well informed and able to advise students about further education. There are many things to consider before choosing higher education, such as subjects, location and funding.
Undergraduates and recent graduates careers
Studying away from the island can cost more for Jersey students as some UK universities charge oversea rates.
Generally, students must have been resident in Jersey for 5 years immediately before 31 August in the first year of the course in order to be eligible for a grant.
If a student hasn't lived in Jersey for 5 years before 31 August of the first year of their course, but they have lived in Jersey for at least 12 months before 31 August, they might qualify if they or one of their parents possess 'Entitled' status.
Financing post-graduate courses (student finance)
It’s never too late to return to learning. Find out more about adult education opportunities in Jersey, including improving your English, returning to education and part-time courses.
English is the primary language for most people in Jersey. You'll find it easier to settle in Jersey if you can speak, read and write in English. Find out how you can Improve your English.
There are a number of trainers in the island offering professional / vocational qualifications and training including:
https://www.gov.je/LifeEvents/MovingToJersey/LivingInJersey/pages/education.aspx