Tda_2.5-1.1_Identify_the_Main_Types_of_State_and_Independent_Schools

TDA 2.5 1.1 – Identify the Main Types of State and Independent Schools Education in England is overseen by the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Local Authorities take responsibility for implementing policy for public education and state schools at a regional level. State Schools State schools are mostly comprehensive: they accept pupils of all academic abilities; most admit both boys and girls, though some are single-sex. All state schools receive funding from local authorities. They all follow the National Curriculum and are regularly inspected by Ofsted. Types of State Schools:  Community Schools: are run by the local authority, which owns the land and buildings, employs the staff, decides which ‘admissions criteria’ to use. They look to develop strong links with the local community, sometimes offering use of their facilities and providing services like childcare and adult learning classes.  Foundation and Trust schools: are run by their own governing body, which employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria. Land and buildings are usually owned by the governing body or a charitable foundation.  A Trust School: is a type of foundation school which forms a charitable trust with an outside partner - for example, a business or educational charity - aiming to raise standards and explore new ways of working. The decision to become a Trust school is taken by the governing body, with parents having a say.  Voluntary-Aided Schools: are mainly religious or 'faith' schools, although anyone can apply for a place. As with foundation schools, the governing body, employs the staff sets the admissions criteria. School buildings and land are normally owned by a charitable foundation, often a religious organisation. The governing body contributes to building and maintenance costs.  Voluntary-Controlled Schools: are similar to voluntary aided schools, but are run by the local authority. As with community schools, the local authority :employs the school's staff, sets the admissions criteria and school land and buildings are normally owned by a charity, often a religious organisation, which also appoints some of the members of the governing body.  Specialist Schools: Though they follow the National Curriculum, they receive extra funding for providing one or more specialist subject. So, these schools focus on a particular subject area. Examples include sports, technology or visual arts.  State Schools with Particular Characteristics: As with other state schools, admissions are coordinated by the local authority. However, some may have different admission criteria or funding arrangements.  Academies: are independently managed, all-ability schools. They are set up by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE) and the local authority. Together they fund the land and buildings, with the government covering the running costs.  City Technology Colleges: are independently managed, non-fee-paying schools in urban areas for pupils of all abilities aged 11 to 18. They are geared towards science, technology and the world of work, offering a range of vocational qualifications as well as GCSEs and A levels.  Community and Foundation Special Schools: cater for children with specific special educational needs. These may include physical disabilities or learning difficulties.  Faith Schools: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, - are mostly run in the same way as other state schools. However, their faith status may be reflected in their religious education curriculum, admissions criteria and staffing policies.  Grammar Schools: select all or most of their pupils based on academic ability and these tend to be of single sex.  Maintained Boarding Schools: There are a few state funded and maintained boarding schools, which offer free tuition, but charge fees for board and lodging, paid by parents. Independent Schools There are around 2,500 independent schools in the UK, which educate around 615,000 children (just over 7% of all British children, rising to around 18%. Independent School is sometimes referred to as a private school, public school or fee-paying school. The terms independent school and private school are often synonyms in popular usage outside the United Kingdom. Independent schools may have a religious affiliation, but the more precise usage of the term excludes parochial and other schools if there is a financial dependence upon, or governance subordinate to, outside organizations. These definitions generally apply equally to primary education, secondary education, and tertiary education institutions. Most of them are boarding schools, but some can be day schools. Some boarding schools may include day pupils weekly boarders. Types of Independent Schools: Public School (Ages 11/13-18) - Traditionally a single-sex boarding school, although many now accept day pupils and are coeducational. The majority date back to the 18th or 19th centuries, and several are over 400 years old. Independent Grammar School (Ages 11-18) – a number of grammar schools are now fee paying schools. Around 10% of independent schools in the UK, which are in general older, more expensive, more exclusive and members of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, are known as "'public schools". All-Through School (Ages 2/5 - 16/18) - Many schools take pupils all the way through from early ages to 16 or 18/19, though usually in quite separate departments or separate schools under the same management. TDA 2.5 1.2 - Education Stages and Governance in Independent Schools Independent Schools An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the investment yield of an endowment. It is governed by a board of directors that is elected by an independent means and a system of governance that ensures its independent operation. However, it may receive government funds. But, its board must be independent. These schools set their own curriculum, enjoy freedom in the choice of their pupils. Just over half have charitable status. Every independent school must be registered with the Department for Education. Standards are regularly monitored by either Ofsted or an inspectorate approved by the Secretary of State, ensuring that the school maintains the standards set out in its registration document. Educational Stages in State Schools Pre-Preparatory School (Ages 2-7) - traditionally an independent school for 4-7 year olds, many now take children from 2 years old. Also called nursery school or kindergarten, a Pre-Prep is the independent equivalent of a State First or Infants school. Children are taught to read, write, develop numeracy and learn to play. Pre-prep schools are often attached to specific junior schools, while many preparatory schools have now opened their own pre-prep section. Preparatory School (Ages 8-11/13) - Traditionally prep schools are for 8-13 year olds, though many now educate children between the ages of 3-11 in areas where independent day schools and state grammars are popular options for children. Whilst many prep schools prepare their students for entry to a range of senior schools, some are closely associated with a single school. Junior School (Ages 7-11/13) - Often called preparatory or prep school, junior schools have a full range of subjects leading to admission to senior schools at 11 or through the 13 Common Entrance Examination. Senior School (Ages 11-18) - These schools offer three years of general studies followed by two years for GCSE and two years for AS/A2 or the International Baccalaureate. Schools which admit pupils at 11 sometimes have a lower school for children aged 11-13. There may be a special entrance examination to the upper school at 13. Some boys' senior schools still have the traditional age of entry at 13. These schools offer one year of general studies followed by two years for GCSE and two years for AS/A2 or the International Baccalaureate.