Year 7 to Year 11 it's high school. (Finish at age 16).
This is when compulsory education ends.
Year 12 to 13 it's college. (College or sixth form, sixth forms are generally attached to a high school.)
And after that it's university.
School Years 7 to 11 are taught at SECONDARY schools, some school names have changed to be 'High School'. But I think that sucks, Whats was wrong with the old name, our system is different to the US. And it only adds to the confusion.
As for college, Anyone can goto college. But if you are under 18, the education is free! Otherwise they want your money. But you do get Colleges for those who have just done their GCSEs in year 10+11 and then you got the colleges for mature adults who just either sent their to be trained or want a better career through relevant certificates.
University for any age! Even if you are 16! Only if the university is willing to accept you though.
They are thinking about making people stay in education until they're 18, which is a stupid idea (I'm not even going to say IMO, it actually is a stupid idea!). The biggest problem with high school is that the focus is on helping people who don't want to learn to learn! College is great because everyone there wants to work, and those who don't get kicked out.
I Totally agree with you. Not only that, but going to college means you have some choice of what place you get educated at. so you basically go for the best college. Where as if it were compulsory, People would be more reluctant to stay on with the same school, or go where every other of their peers are going. And not really getting the seat at the better institute where possible.