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senior school

British English term for a secondary school, typically covering ages 11 to 16 or 18 depending on the institution.

ˈsinjɚ ˈskulCurrent188 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

British English term for a secondary school, typically covering ages 11 to 16 or 18 depending on the institution. Senior school follows primary or junior school and may or may not include a sixth form. Widely used by parents, pupils, and educators in everyday speech.

She was nervous about starting senior school in September — a much bigger place than her primary.
Origin: Descriptive compound; 'senior' indicating older pupils relative to primary or junior school. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

"senior school" means: British English term for a secondary school, typically covering ages 11 to 16 or 18 depending on the institution. Senior school follows prim.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"senior school" means: British English term for a secondary school, typically covering ages 11 to 16 or 18 depending on the institution. Senior school follows prim.... Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (British) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a

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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(schools, UK) A secondary school.

Heard in the wild
  • “Head of Catering Operations, Alleyn's Senior School @alleynsschool.bsky.social . Closes: 25/05. https://shrbrt.jobs/ub3oar. #independentschooljobs #londonjobs #teachingjobs @hmc-schools.bsky.social”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Ghana’s education system needs structured formula to improve WASSCE results — Dr Osei Adutwum https://www.europesays.com/africa/220302/ Former Education Minister Dr.Yaw Osei Adutwum has attributed the decline in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate…”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

"senior school" means: British English term for a secondary school, typically covering ages 11 to 16 or 18 depending on the institution. Senior school follows prim.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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UK

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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