In England, there are various types of schools and colleges available at both primary and secondary levels in your local area. These include state-funded free schools, academies, technical colleges, and private schools. Each of these institutions offers different advantages, making it important for you to consider which one would be best for your child. To assist you in making this decision, we have compiled some guidance outlining what you can expect from each type of school. However, it is crucial to remember that nothing can replace the experience of visiting a school in person. Therefore, we recommend that you schedule an appointment to meet with the headteacher and take a tour before submitting your school application.
Maintained schools
In England, the majority of public schools are known as ‘maintained schools,’ which are managed by the local government and are required to adhere to the national curriculum. These schools cater to both primary and secondary education levels.
Academies
Academies are publicly funded, yet independent, educational institutions. They can be found at the primary or secondary level and are funded directly by the government, giving them more autonomy in their operations. This includes the flexibility to choose their own curriculum, term schedules, and admission policies, as long as they comply with the same regulations as other state schools.
Academy Trusts
Academy Trusts or Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) manage multiple academies. These trusts are non-profit entities that oversee the employment of staff and the governance of the academies.
Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) are capable of managing a wide variety of schools, including both primary and secondary, across different locations.
Free Schools
Free schools are a specific type of academy that operates similarly to others. They receive their funding directly from the government, have the authority to determine their curriculum, teacher salaries, and term schedules, and are subject to the same School Admissions Code and Ofsted inspections.
The distinguishing feature of free schools is their governance structure. These schools can be established and operated by groups such as parents, teachers, businesses, universities, independent schools, charities, or voluntary organizations. Unlike other schools, free schools are prohibited from generating profits.
There are two categories of free schools:
1. University Technical Colleges (UTCs) specialize in technical subjects like engineering and offer technical qualifications to students. The curriculum is developed in collaboration with universities and employers, providing students with work experience.
2. Studio Schools focus on delivering mainstream qualifications through project-based learning. This approach includes both academic subjects and practical, real-world scenarios.
Grammar Schools
Grammar schools were established to provide the most academically gifted students within the public education system with an elite level of instruction, ensuring that those from more impoverished backgrounds could access the same educational opportunities as their wealthier peers from private institutions, all without the burden of fees.
These educational institutions are financially supported by the government but do not charge tuition fees. They serve as select, non-charging secondary educational institutions. Admission to these schools is determined by an exam at the age of ten, referred to as the 11-plus, which evaluates students’ academic capabilities. Admission is strictly selective, with only students scoring the highest achieving slots being accepted.
From 1998 onwards, the policy has shifted away from establishing new grammar schools, with the emphasis redirected towards enhancing the quality of education across all public schools. Consequently, the number of grammar schools has dwindled to a relatively small quantity.
City Technology Colleges
City Technology Colleges and ‘the city college for the technology of the arts,’ as they’re known, are autonomous institutions located in urban settings. Although these schools receive funding from the central government, private corporations may also make contributions.
These institutions place a significant focus on the teaching of science and technology. The city college for the technology of the arts, in particular, specializes in technology related to the performing and creative arts, such as interactive digital design.
State Boarding Schools
State boarding schools offer complimentary education while imposing fees for accommodation. The majority of these institutions are academies, with some classified as free schools and others managed by local authorities.
These schools prioritize admission for children who require boarding and evaluate each child’s suitability for this arrangement.
Organisations like Buttle UK and the Royal National Children’s Foundation may provide financial assistance for boarding costs.
For further details regarding state boarding schools, eligibility criteria, and application procedures, please reach out to the State Boarding Forum. While most of these schools are located in England, there is one state boarding school situated in Northern Ireland.
Special schools
Special schools cater to children with special educational needs or disabilities.
The types of special schools differ by region, but they generally fall into four main categories based on their areas of specialisation:
● Communication and interaction
● Cognition and learning
● Social, emotional, and mental health
● Sensory and physical needs
Maintained special schools are required to adhere to the National Curriculum; however, they possess the flexibility to tailor their teaching methods to meet the specific needs of their students, making necessary adjustments.
In contrast, non-maintained special schools, including academies, free schools, and independent institutions, have the autonomy to create their own curricula.
Faith schools
1. Faith-based educational institutions have the flexibility to establish distinct admission criteria, although applications are open to all. These schools adhere to the national curriculum while having the autonomy to determine their religious studies curriculum.
Faith academies, on the other hand, are not obligated to follow the national curriculum and implement their own admission procedures.
Private schools
Independent schools, commonly referred to as private schools, require tuition fees for attendance, as they do not receive government funding. Students at these institutions are not mandated to follow the national curriculum. All private schools must be registered with the government and are subject to regular inspections.
Additionally, there are private schools that focus specifically on catering to children with special educational needs.
In Wales
Maintained schools
Maintained schools are primarily or entirely financed by the local authority and may include the following types:
Community schools
Community schools, which are owned and operated by the local authority that establishes the admission criteria and assigns student placements. Community Special Schools provide specialized education, catering specifically to students with special educational needs.
Voluntary controlled schools
Operated by a voluntary organization, typically the Roman Catholic Church or the Church in Wales, and subject to strict oversight by the local authority. The local authority is responsible for hiring the staff and establishing the admission criteria, while the land and buildings of the school are owned by a charitable entity, often affiliated with the church, which designates certain members of the governing body.
Voluntary aided schools
Operated by a voluntary organization, these institutions possess a higher degree of policy and financial autonomy compared to voluntary controlled schools. They are often affiliated with a particular religion or faith. The governing body is responsible for hiring staff and establishing admission criteria, while the buildings and land are typically owned by a charitable entity, frequently linked to a church.
Foundation schools
The entity is either under the ownership of the governing body or a charitable foundation. The governing body establishes the admission criteria, and there is restricted oversight from the local authority.
Welsh schools
In Wales, schools are categorized based on their approach to the Welsh language. While all students are required to learn Welsh, the extent to which it is integrated into daily instruction varies among schools.
Your child’s school will be classified into one of the following categories:
Primary Schools
Category 1: English-medium. The primary language of instruction is English, with students developing their speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills in English, while Welsh is taught as part of the language curriculum. Communication with parents and guardians occurs in English. A minimum of 15% of school activities, both in and out of the classroom, will be conducted in Welsh.
Category 2: Dual language. In these schools, children are taught to speak, read, write, and listen in both English and Welsh. At least 50% of the school’s activities, both inside and outside the classroom, will be in Welsh. Schools may opt to deliver all instruction in Welsh until the age of seven, after which a choice is provided, or maintain a 50% Welsh instruction throughout.
Category 3: Welsh-medium. These institutions emphasize a strong commitment to the Welsh language. All lessons are conducted in Welsh until the children reach the age of seven, although English may be utilized as needed for comprehension. Following this, at least 80% of school activities, both in and out of the classroom, will be in Welsh. Communications with parents are available in both languages.
Secondary schools
Category 1: English-medium. In this category, your child will develop skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in English, while also learning Welsh as part of their language curriculum. A minimum of 15% of the school activities, both within the classroom and beyond, will be conducted in Welsh.
Category 2: Dual language. This option allows your child to acquire proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in both English and Welsh. They will have the opportunity to participate in at least 40% of school activities, both inside and outside the classroom, in Welsh.
Category 3: Welsh-medium and Category 3P: Designated Welsh-medium. The primary language of instruction in these schools is Welsh, fostering a robust Welsh language environment. Your child will learn to communicate in both Welsh and English. In Category 3 schools, at least 70% of educational experiences and extracurricular activities will be conducted in Welsh, while in Category 3P schools, this figure rises to 90%.
In Northern Ireland
Controlled schools
In Northern Ireland, Controlled schools are overseen and financed by the Education Authority (EA) through Boards of Governors (BoGs). The BoGs for primary and secondary schools include representatives from transferor bodies, predominantly the Protestant churches, as well as parents, teachers, and the EA.
In contrast, the Boards of Governors for Controlled nursery, grammar, and special schools comprise solely representatives from parents, teachers, and the EA, without any transferor governors.
The Controlled school sector also encompasses several Controlled Integrated schools and a limited number of Irish-Medium schools. Additionally, the Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC) advocates for and represents the interests of Controlled schools.
Catholic maintained schools
Catholic maintained schools are overseen by Boards of Governors (BoGs), which are appointed by trustees, predominantly from the Roman Catholic community, alongside representatives from parents, teachers, and the Education Authority (EA).
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) plays a crucial role in the effective administration of the Catholic Maintained sector and serves as the employing authority for educators within these institutions.
The Catholic schools trustee service receives funding from the Department of Education to offer guidance and support to trustees regarding area planning.
Voluntary Grammar schools
Voluntary Grammar schools are governed by a Board of Governors (BoG), which is established according to each school’s management scheme. This board typically includes representatives from foundation governors, parents, teachers, the Department of Education (DE), and often members from the Education Authority.
The BoG acts as the employing authority, responsible for the hiring of all personnel within the school.
Integrated schools
Integrated schools aim to bring together Protestant and Roman Catholic students, along with individuals from other traditions, to foster mutual understanding of diverse cultures, religions, and values.
Each grant-maintained Integrated school is managed by a Board of Governors (BoG), which comprises trustees or foundation governors, parents, teachers, and DE representatives. This board serves as the employing authority and oversees staff employment.
Additionally, there are several Controlled Integrated schools, as referenced in the section on ‘controlled’ schools.
Irish-Medium schools
Irish-Medium schools provide education in the Irish language and include both Controlled and Maintained institutions. Maintained schools are voluntary establishments owned by trustees and managed by boards of governors, which consist of members nominated by trustees, along with representatives from parents, teachers, and the Education Authority. For details on Controlled Irish-Medium schools and units, please refer to the ‘Controlled’ schools section.
Special schools
Special schools are classified as either Controlled or Voluntary institutions that cater specifically to students with special educational needs.
Independent schools
An Independent school is a school at which full-time education is provided for pupils aged from four to 16 and is not grant-aided. These schools set their own curriculum and admissions policies and are funded by fees paid by parents and income from investments.
