All children in England between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school.

Most state schools have to follow the national curriculum. The most common ones are:

• community schools, controlled by the local council and not influenced by business or religious groups
• foundation schools, with more freedom to change the way they do things than community schools
• academies, run by a governing body, independent from the local council - they can follow a different curriculum
• grammar schools, run by the council, a foundation body or a trust - they select all or most of their pupils based on academic ability and there is often an exam to get in

Special schools

Special schools with pupils aged 11 and older can specialise in 1 of the 4 areas of special educational needs:

• communication and interaction
• cognition and learning
• behaviour, emotional and social development
• sensory and physical needs

Faith schools can be different kinds of schools, eg voluntary aided schools, free schools, academies etc, but are associated with a particular religion.

Faith schools are mostly run like other state schools. They have to follow the national curriculum except for religious studies, where they are free to only teach about their own religion. The admissions criteria and staffing policies may be different too, although anyone can apply for a place.

Free schools are funded by the government but aren’t run by the local council. They have more control over how they do things.

They’re ‘all-ability’ schools, so can’t use academic selection processes like a grammar school.

Free schools can:

• set their own pay and conditions for staff
• change the length of school terms and the school day

They don’t have to follow the national curriculum.

Who can set up free schools

Free schools are run on a not-for-profit basis and can be set up by groups like:

• charities
• universities
• independent schools
• community and faith groups
• teachers
• parents
• businesses

Types of free school

University technical colleges

University technical colleges specialise in subjects like engineering and construction - and teach these subjects along with business skills and using IT.

Pupils study academic subjects as well as practical subjects leading to technical qualifications. The curriculum is designed by the university and employers, who also provide work experience for students.

University technical colleges are sponsored by:

• universities
• employers
• further education colleges

Studio schools

Studio schools are small schools - usually with around 300 pupils - delivering mainstream qualifications through project-based learning. This means working in realistic situations as well as learning academic subjects.

Students work with local employers and a personal coach, and follow a curriculum designed to give them the skills and qualifications they need in work, or to take up further education.

Academies are publicly funded independent schools.

Academies don’t have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times. They still have to follow the same rules on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools.

Academies get money direct from the government, not the local council. They’re run by an academy trust which employs the staff.

Some academies have sponsors such as businesses, universities, other schools, faith groups or voluntary groups. Sponsors are responsible for improving the performance of their schools.

City technology colleges are independent schools in urban areas that are free to go to. They’re owned and funded by companies as well as central government (not the local council).

They have a particular emphasis on technological and practical skills.

State boarding schools provide free education but charge fees for boarding. Some state boarding schools are run by local councils, and some are run as academies or free schools.

State boarding schools give priority to children who have a particular need to board and will assess children’s suitability for boarding.

Charities such as Buttle UK or the Royal National Children’s Foundation can sometimes help with the cost of boarding.

Contact the State Boarding Schools’ Association for more information about state boarding schools, eligibility and how to apply.

Private schools (also known as ‘independent schools’) charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils don’t have to follow the national curriculum.

All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.

Reports on private schools

All school reports are published online by the organisation responsible for inspecting them. Find out from the school which organisation inspects them.

Half of all independent schools are inspected by Ofsted.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate inspects schools that are members of the Independent Schools Council.

The Bridge Schools Inspectorate inspects schools that are members of the Christian Schools’ Trust or the Association of Muslim Schools.

Some other schools are inspected by the School Inspection Service.

Special educational needs

There are also private schools which specialise in teaching children with special educational needs.