Education in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter with each of the countries of the United Kingdom having separate systems under separate governments: the UK Government is responsible for England, and the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, repectively. While the systems in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are more similar, the Scottish system is quite different.

Types of schools

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

There are two kinds of schools in the UK:

Mainstream state schools - These are maintained by the Government with public funds and are free to attend.

Types of state schools:

▪  Community schools - they are owned and maintained by the local authority. The LEA decide the admissions criteria for the school. These schools look to develop strong links with the community, offering use of their facilities and providing services like childcare and adult learning classes.

▪  Foundation and Trust schools - Foundation schools are run by their own governing body who employ the staff and set the admissions criteria. Land and building are owned by the governing body or a charitable foundation.
A Trust school is similar to a Foundation school, they would also form a charitable trust with an outside partner i.e. business, with the aim to raise standards and explore new ways of working.

▪  Voluntary aided schools are mainly religious or 'faith' schools. The governing body employs the satff and set the admissions criteria. The land and buildings are normally owned by a charitable foundation. The governing body will contribute to the maintenance and building costs.

▪  Voluntary controlled schools are similar to voluntary aided schools, but they are run by the local authority who employ the staff and set the admissions criteria. The school buildings and land are normally owned by a charity, normally religious organisation, who will appoint members to the governing body.

There are a number of initiatives which have been introduced over the years, which give certain schools additional unique criteria:

▪  Specialist schools - these schools follow the National Curriculum and have a specialist focus on particular subject area. These can include: sport, technology, visual arts, business and enterprise.

▪  Academies - are independently managed, all ability schools set up by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups in partnership with the DCSF and the local authority. They fund land, buildings and the Government covers the running costs.

▪  City Technology Colleges - are independently managed, non fee paying schools in urban areas for age range 11-18 years. They focus toward subjects of science, technology and offer a range of vocational qualifications as well as GCSE and A levels.

▪  Special Education Needs schools - provide education for students with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD).

▪  Faith schools - run in the same way to other schools. However, their staffing policies, admissions and education curriculum will have an emphasis towards their faith status.

▪  Grammar schools - select all or most of their pupils based on academic ability.

Kinds of schools

▪  Nursery - non compulsory schooling for 3-4 years
▪  Infant schools - children aged 4-7 years
▪  Junior schools - children 7-11 years
▪  Primary schools - providing infant and junior education, in addition nursery
   classes may be attached to these
   schools.
▪  Secondary schools - for all pupils aged 11-16 years. Some may provide
   schooling for students 16-18 years.
▪  Sixth form colleges (non compulsory) for students 16-18 years.

Independent (private schools and fee paying)

They are funded by fees paid by parents and income from investments. Over half of the independent schools in England have charitable status. Every independent school must be registered with the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Their standards are regularly monitored by OFSTED or an inspectorate approved by the Secretary of State.

Academic terms and holidays

There are three terms per academic year starting in September each year, which cover 195 days throughout the year.

▪  Autumn Term - first week September to third week December
▪  Spring Term - first week in January until Easter
▪  Summer Term - two weeks after Easter until third week of July


Holidays

▪  2 weeks at Christmas
▪  2 weeks at Easter
▪  6 weeks in July/August
▪  1 week's holiday during the middle of each term known as half term, they are in October, February and May
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