The Education Department is responsible for the administration of education in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.  Compulsory school age is from 5 to 15.  Free primary education for children of 5 to 11 years is provided with children attending the school within their catchment area..  There are also a number of fee paying schools for primary school aged children.

In the final year of Primary Education there is a secondary education selection test   and those children who, as a result of this, are assessed as being suited to a more practical and less academic type of education, are placed at one of the secondary schools depending on their catchment area.  These schools provide a comprehensive range of GSCE, NVQ and GNVQ courses.  Many pupils who achieve good grades progress from these schools to the sixth form at the Grammar School or to further studies at the College of Further Education. 

Those children who are assessed as being suited to a mainly academic curriculum are offered places at either the Grammar School or at one of the Independent Colleges.

The Ladies College, Elizabeth College and the Blanchelande Girls College (a Roman Catholic School) take fee paying pupils.  Parents who wish their children to attend the above-mentioned schools can opt to pay the school fees.

The majority of pupils with special education needs are educated in their local mainstream school.  All primary and secondary schools have teachers who will co-ordinate the provision of education for pupils with special needs.   For pupils whose needs cannot be met in this way, the Education Department maintains special schools.  In addition to the support offered in the mainstream schools and in the special schools, support is also offered to pupils, parents and schools in the form of a variety of different services supplied by the Health and Social Services Department and the Education Department. 

Further education is provided within the Island at the College of Further Education.  The College has full time NVQ, GNVQ and AVCE courses in an array of subjects including catering, leisure and tourism, art and design and information technology.  The College also offers day release courses and a number of evening courses.

There are no universities in Guernsey so students wishing to take a degree course leave the Island whilst they continue their studies.