About Schools

School Types

Maintained

This table lists the characteristics of the different types of schools maintained by the local education authority (LEA) - the 'state system'.

Characteristics of Different School Types
  Community schools Foundation schools Voluntary Controlled schools Voluntary Aided
schools
Origin former county schools former grant-maintained schools originally founded and paid for by voluntary effort, usually with religious or denominational affiliation, now almost completely supported by LEA and part of state system but with recognition of the religious character:- Church of England, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodist and Other.
Formal denominational interest maintained through 2 or 3 Foundation Governors. Admissions determined by LEA. Foundation governors in majority. Admissions policy determined by governors, reflecting denominational character.
Funding wholly LEA LEA-maintained but greater autonomy for governors all costs borne by LEA governors responsible for 15% of certain costs
RE locally agreed syllabus locally agreed syllabus locally agreed syllabus determined by governors, reflecting denominational character
Worship national legislation national legislation denominational determined by governors, reflecting denominational character

Independent

A wide range of private provision, supported by parental fees, ranging from high profile, historic public schools (Eton, Harrow, Winchester et al) to very small prep schools (private day nurseries might also count in this group).

Many have a denominational foundation eg Stoneyhurst and Ampleforth (Roman Catholic), Lancing (Church of England), Kingswood (Methodist), The Mount (Quaker) which is more active and/or explicit in some than in others.

AGES AND STAGES

In this table, the numbers along the top indicate the children's ages.

Ages and Key Stages
Age 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
School Type Primary Secondary
Class Type Nursery Infants Juniors Seniors Sixth Form
Key Stage Ks 1 Ks 2 Ks 3 Ks 4
Exam Type GCSE A Levels