
- When the school year starts this fall, Princess Charlotte will begin Year 2, which means the six-year-old royal is headed for a couple of education milestones.
- First, Year 2 is the last year of infant or lower levels in U.K. primary schools, meaning that this school year marks the end of an era for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's only daughter.
- Year 2 students also take SATs (Standard Assessment Tests—tests currently given at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 to evaluate academic progress), which will be another first for Charlotte.
Princess Charlotte is growing up (opens in new tab) so fast.
When the school year kicks off this fall, the six-year-old royal will return to Thomas's Battersea school in south-west London, where she will officially begin Year 2. As Hello! (opens in new tab) magazine (opens in new tab) points out, this is a big milestone for a couple of reasons.
First, it's going to mark the end of an era for Charlotte (opens in new tab) because Year 2 is the final year of lower school years in the United Kingdom. In England primary school (opens in new tab) (the equivalent, more or less, of elementary school in the United States) is sometimes divided into two stages. Year 1 and Year 2 students (who are typically five and six year olds) are in the the first stage, which is known as the infant or lower levels, while older kids (those between the ages of seven and 10 who are in Years 3-6) are in the second stage, which is referred to as junior level.
The second Year 2 milestone that Charlotte (opens in new tab) has to look forward to (or not, depending on how she feels about standardized testing) is her first SATs. In the U.K., SATs stands for "Standard Assessment Tests" (opens in new tab) and refers to exams that primary school children take during Year 2 and Year 6 as a way to evaluate their academic progress. Children in Charlotte's year are tested in math and reading (and there's an optional test in English that covers grammar, punctuation, and spelling).
Unlike most standardized tests in the U.S., the SATs aren't timed, which makes them inherently less stress-inducing. Charlotte (opens in new tab) could also be the last member of the royal family to take Year 2 SATs, which are set to become option starting in 2023, according to the U.K.'s The Good Schools Guide (opens in new tab).
Sending Charlotte some extra good vibes and happy thoughts for her big school year.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
A Celebrity Colorist Explains Why You Should Always Wash Your Hair After Coloring It
Every color needs a good cleanse.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Lizzo's Game-Changing Eyebrow Hack Is About to Revamp Your Makeup Routine
She also gave us a peek inside her makeup bag.
By Samantha Holender
-
This Is the Only Dry Shampoo That Makes My Hair Feel Clean—Not Crunchy
Bonus: It’s only $8 per bottle.
By Samantha Holender
-
Prince Harry's "Low-Key" Court Appearance May Help to "Minimize the Media Circus," Royal Expert Says
He's trying a new strategy.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
'Succession' Actor Brian Cox Says Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are "Victims" of the "Moribund" Royal Institution
He has strong feelings about their situation.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Felt "Deprived" of His "Teenage Years" Because of Associated Newspapers, Court Told
The duke appeared in court on Monday.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Royal Expert Claims Prince Harry's Surprise U.K. Visit "Was Not Planned" With King Charles
The communication is going great...
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
King Charles Is Planning to Evict Many More Royals Than Just Harry and Meghan, Sources Claim
It's a royal shake-up.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Has Arrived at the High Court in London to Make His Case Against the 'Daily Mail' Publishers
Hi, Harry!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry "May Do Anything Required of Him Without Argument" at the Coronation, Tarot Reader Suggests
He won't want to make a fuss, Inbaal Honigman says.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince George and Prince Louis Are "Protective" of Mom Kate in Mother's Day Photos, Body Language Expert Says
They have such a sweet relationship.
By Iris Goldsztajn