State-funded schools
These schools are paid for by national taxes, and provide free* education to children between the ages of 3 and 18.
(*You may be asked for a voluntary contribution for extracurricular activities such as swimming lessons and field trips.)
The types of schools include:
- Academy schools - independent of local authority and national government control and deal with their own admissions;
- Community schools - controlled by the local council and with no influence from either business or religious groups;
- Foundationschools - the governing body has greater freedom in the running of the school than in community schools;
- Free Schools - independent schools set up by communities in response to local requirements;
- Voluntary Aided schools - a foundation or trust (usually a religious organisation), contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school;
- Voluntary Controlled schools - a foundation or trust (usually a Christian denomination) has some formal influence in the running of the school; and
- a small number are state boarding schools.
Most state schools are required to follow the National Curriculum, which is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools to standardise children's learning. It covers what subjects are taught and the levels children should reach in each subject.
For more information on state schooling please go to the Department for Education.