The list of schools in the UK will help you understand the types and number of schools available for your child. We can’t help you decide which school to pick, but we hope this list of various types of schools in the UK will help you get an idea of what is available.
In the United Kingdom, there are various types of schools available for parents to choose from for their children’s education. It has been noted that “the traditional state school system in England and Wales is still the most common form of schooling in the UK, with over 87% of pupils in public primary and secondary schools in 2015/16”.
There are different types of schools in the UK, with the main differences in types being between state and private schools. Public state schools in the UK are funded by taxes paid to the government and, as a result, there is a low cost to the parents. To understand it more clearly, let’s classify the types of schools in the UK.
Contents
Pre-school, primary and secondary
Your child’s time at school is generally divided into three parts- pre-school, primary and secondary education. The other minor details, such as curriculum, dates of school holidays, activities, school conduct, etc., depends on whether you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Pre-school
Pre-school is when you first start spending days away from home as a toddler at a nursery.
Primary School
Primary schools teach pupils from ages 4 to 11, providing general education up to the end of Key Stage 2
Secondary School
Secondary schools teach pupils from 12 to 16, providing general education up to Key Stage 4.
Types of school
The schools in the UK are further split up into the following categories: state schools, independent schools, faith schools, free schools, academies, specialist schools, special schools, pupil referral units, pupil headteachers, colleges, sixth form colleges, further education institutions.
State funded schools
State schools are the most common type of school in the UK. These are funded by the government and are free for students aged 16 and under. They are attended by 97% of pupils in the UK. Different state schools in the UK varies based on their mission, pupils, location, and resources.
These state schools use an inclusive curriculum, promoting high academic achievement and thinking skills. Special schools or schools for children with autism or other disabilities are also supported by the government, which helps them run effectively. Ofsted inspects them, and most of them have to follow the National Curriculum (in secondary school, the curriculum for KS3 and KS4).
There are many different types of state school that includes –
1. Community school
Also known as a maintained school is a type of school administered by the Local Authority (LA) and is not influenced or controlled by any organisation, charity, religion, or business. The LA owns the land and building, employs the staff, and oversees admission and overall budget. The community school follows the National Curriculum and is inspected by Ofsted.
Every child between 5 to 16 has a place at a state school under the right to free education, and that is why they are not allowed to select students on academic ability.
2. Foundation school
Voluntary or foundation schools are the one that has more freedom in the way they operate as compared to community schools. The Local Authority also funds these schools. The main difference between them and foundation schools is that they are administered by the governing body and not LA.
The governing body does tasks like employing staff and controlling admissions. Even the school land and buildings are owned either by the charitable foundation or the governing body.
3. Academies
Academies are basically independent schools in the UK funded by the government but has more freedom over their curriculum and do not have to follow the National Curriculum. However, they do have to provide a balanced curriculum. They administer their own admission process and timetables. Unlike comprehensive schools, academies get their money directly from the government, not from their Local Authority.
Some of the academy schools are part of the academy chain that manages multiple schools. Ofsted inspects these schools. Initially, academisation was introduced to improve schools that were failing and are still applied to poorly performing schools to be taken over and run by an academy trust. However, even schools that are rated good and outstanding by Ofsted choose to become an academy because of the flexibility of the academy.
4. Grammar schools
Grammar schools in the UK are also free schools that select their students based on their selection process, also known as the common entrance exam that tests their academic ability. The entrance exam, also known as the 11 plus exam, is taken at the beginning of year 6.
These schools are run by the Local Authority, which also acts as their admission authority. The 11 plus exam varies depending upon the schools and areas, but it usually includes subjects such as verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Maths, and English. Some schools also offer seats to pupils with a special talent in sport, music, languages or another subject.
For a comprehensive list of Grammar schools, visit the Comprehensive List of Grammar Schools and Consortiums
5. State boarding schools
State boarding schools are also free schools or academies, but they charge fees for boarding. Local councils run these schools. Some schools may have some boarding places allocated to pupils based on their individual needs or the school’s selection criteria.
Independent school
Independent schools in the UK are privately funded and are not free to attend. However, they offer education that either focuses on a curriculum not available at a state school or has programs not offered at a state school.
Some of these independent schools are inspected by Ofsted, while others are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and School Inspection Service. Admission to these independent schools varies and can be selective or non-selective depending on the school. While some schools admit students based on all abilities, some select them based on their performance in the common entrance exam.
Special Schools
Special schools in the UK are out-of-school facilities, which provide instruction for children with special educational needs. These schools focus on a particular subject such as the arts, languages, sciences, and humanities. This type of school can provide students with a more tailored and focused learning experience.
City technology colleges
These are schools in the UK funded partly by the government and partly by independent organisations and are free to pupils. These colleges are for pupils aged 11 to 18 and offer a wide range of vocational qualifications with GCSEs and A-levels. The admissions are administered by the governing body. These schools use the national curriculum but also focus on vocational subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and Technology.
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A consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) 11 Plus exam information