Question for British list members/school years

[Carol]

Catlady wrote:
>
> The On=Line Etymology Dictionary says 'freshman' "is attested from 1596"
> http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=freshman&searchmode=none

<snip>

Carol responds:

Yes, I saw that. And Merriam-Webster Online gives 1552 as the first
use. Either way, it's not an Americanism!

Carol, whose computer has no sound today for some reason!