Secondary education

Sector introduction

This is a very specific sector of employment, and covers those working in secondary schools in the UK. The secondary education systems in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are similar in their administration. Scotland has a completely separate system, with its own rules and practices.

Like many other areas that have heavy public sector involvement, secondary schools will be experiencing change over the coming years. Programmes for more schools to become academies independent of local authority control, and for free schools, allowing organisations to set up their own schools, are in progress and are expected to change the character and composition of the sector.

There were 3,310 secondary schools in 2011 in England [Schools, pupils and their characteristics, January 2011], 376 in Scotland [Figures from the Scottish Executive] and 149 in Northern Ireland [2011 Schools Census]. Wales had 170 in 2010 [2010 Schools Census]. There were 213,600 teachers in secondary schools in England and 201,800 support staff in November 2010 [2010 Schools Workforce Census].