Year Thirteen

Year Thirteen is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is sometimes the thirteenth and final year of compulsory education, or alternatively a year of post-compulsory education.

Australia

In Australia,Year Thirteen is a year found in Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania following the end of compulsory education. Although there are slight variations between the states, most children in Year Thirteen are aged between eighteen and nineteen.^[1]

New Zealand

In New Zealand, Year Thirteen is the second year of post-compulsory education. Children are usually aged seventeen or eighteen in this year group. ^[2] although there is no minimum age. Therefore for an accelerated student this could still be a compulsory year if they haven't turned 16 yet (legal age for leaving school). Year Thirteen pupils are educated in Secondary schools or in Area schools.^[3] Year Thirteen was previously known as the 7th form and students will be studying towards NCEA Level 3.

United Kingdom

England and Wales

In schools in England Year Thirteen is the thirteenth year after Reception. It is normally the second year of Sixth Form and will not be part of compulsory education until the provisions of the Education and Skills Act 2008 become effective in 2015.

Students admitted to this academic year are aged 17 by 31 August in that year. It is not unusual for students who are a year older or a year younger to follow the courses designed for Year 13.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland Year Thirteen is the first year of post-compulsory education. Children in Year Thirteen are aged between 16 and 17. It usually forms part of a Sixth form or Sixth-form college.

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