Hogwarts seems to follow the English and Welsh school system. Albeit a slightly dated version (no SATS
)
You start high school the September you are 11. I can't quite remember what happens at Hogwarts, but in the muggle world you have compulsary exams at 16 called GCSEs, and after that education is optional, but most people who go to schools like Hogwarts (ie private boarding schools) would stay on at school until after this they're 18 and sit their A'levels exams then (the traditional entrance exams to university). The prefects come from these two year groups (in the muggle world called the Sixth Form)
Confused? It would help if I check what was in the books
Helga
