Selecting a school: What are your options?

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STATE SCHOOLSThe most common types of state school are:

  • Community schools - overseen by local authorities

  • Foundation schools - these schools have more freedom to change how they are run than community schools

  • Academies - run by a governing body, funded by the government and independent from the local authority

  • Grammar schools - run by the local authorities, a foundation body or trust - there are often entry exams

ACADEMIESThere are various types of academy:

  • Independent - a singular school, independent from the local authority and funded by the government

  • Chains - a group of academies working under a shared structure, operated by an academy trust. Also referred to as academy group or federation

  • Trusts - a charitable company responsible for the running of an academy which has control over the land and the other assets

  • Sponsored - a school that has become an academy through a government intervention strategy and is run by a government-approved sponsor

  • Converter - a successful school that has chosen to become an academy in order to gain more control over how the school is run

FREE SCHOOLSFree schools are funded by the government but are not run by the local authority. They do not have to follow the national curriculum and can change the length of school terms and the school day.

These schools are run on a not-for-profit basis and can be set up by

  • Charities

  • Universities

  • Independent schools

  • Community and faith groups

  • Teachers

  • Parents

  • Businesses

Types of free school include:

  • Studio schools - small schools which teach academic subjects as well as life skills needed for work and further education

  • University technical colleges - schools which specialise in subjects like engineering, they teach academic and practical subjects leading to technical qualifications. Often sponsored by universities, employers and further education colleges

SPECIAL SCHOOLSSpecial schools provide education for children with special educational needs including learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioural problems.

CITY TECHNOLOGY COLLEGESCity technology colleges are independent schools that are free to attend are are owned and funded by businesses as well as the government, not the local authority. They are aimed at providing technological and practical education.

STATE BOARDING SCHOOLSThese schools are free but charge for boarding. They can be run by local councils, academies or free schools. Priority is given to children who have a particular need to board.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Private schools can also be known as independent schools. They charge fees and receive no government funding. They do not have to follow the national curriculum but must be registered with the government and are inspected on a regular basis.

All reports are published online by the inspectorate organisation. This could be:

FAITH SCHOOLSFaith schools can fit into different categories of schools such as voluntary aided schools, free schools and academies.

These schools have to follow the national curriculum apart from in religious studies where they are free to only teach about their own religion. Admissions criteria can vary, though anyone can apply for a place.

FUTHER EDUCATIONFurther education courses are offered at a range of institutions:

  • Schools - many schools offer FE qualifications including A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (usually for students aged 16-18), and vocational qualifications such as NVQs and SVQs

  • Sixth form colleges - mainly cater for students aged 16-18 and specialise in academic courses to prepare students for higher education

  • Further and higher education colleges - offer courses and qualifications in a range of vocational and academic subjects. Some specialise in particular areas

  • Private training providers - offer work-based training for students seeking to build careers in specific industries.

CAREER COLLEGESCareer Colleges are a new breed of institutions, offering courses for 14 to 19-year-olds to prepare them for work. Students study for academic and vocational qualifications. These institutions combine core curriculum subjects with vocational training and hands-on projects.

Career Colleges aim for students to progress onto apprenticeships or higher education. They are established by employers and FE colleges to deliver the curriculum and work experience.

The government has not officially recognised Career Colleges in its list of types of schools but has commended the initiative. They are funded by public funding available for 14 to 19-year-olds. Any surplus funding is used to reinvest in education and training offered by the Career College Trust, which operates as a charity for young people.