Schools
State-funded nursery education is available from the age of three, and may be full-time or part-time. If registered with a state school, attendance is compulsory beginning with the term following the child's fifth birthday until the child is 16. In the vast majority of cases, pupils progress from primary school to secondary school at age 11 and remain at the secondary school until 16. Students may then continue their secondary studies for a further two years (sixth form), leading typically to an A level qualification, although other qualifications and courses exist, including GNVQ and the International Baccalaureate. The leaving age for compulsory education was raised to 18 by the Education and Skills Act 2008. The change will take effect in 2013 for 17 year olds and 2015 for 18 year olds. State-provided schools are free of charge to students.
In the United Kingdom, the term, "state school", refers to government-funded schools which provide education free of charge to pupils. The contrast to this are fee-paying schools, often called "independent schools", "private schools" or "public schools"
There are a number of different ways that state schools can be organised.
A community school in England and Wales is a type of state-funded school that is run wholly by the local education authority (LEA)
A voluntary controlled school is a state-funded school in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in which a foundation or trust (usually a Christian denomination) has some formal influence in the running of the school.
A voluntary aided school is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (often a religious organisation) contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school.
A foundation school in England and Wales is a state-funded school in which the governing body has greater freedom in the running of the school than in community schools. Foundation schools were set up under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to replace grant-maintained schools, which were funded directly by central government. Grant-maintained schools that had previously been voluntary controlled or county schools (but not voluntary aided) usually became foundation schools.
Most children receive their full-time education in state or private schools but a small number of parents prefer to educate their children at home. The law states:
The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause them to receive efficient full-time education suitable to:
his/her age, ability and aptitude; and
any special education needs he/she may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."
Schools are responsible for their own performance, for the conduct of the school and its discipline, for the control of school premises, the repair and maintenance of buildings and, in the case of foundation and voluntary aided schools, for admissions. All schools have staffing powers and many are the employers of their own staff. They are not bound to buy services from their Local Education Authority.
Every school has a governing body which includes people with different interests and skills, including parents, businesspeople and local residents. The governing body’s main role is to help raise standards of achievement in the school. It:
- is accountable for the school’s performance
- plans the school’s future direction
- selects the headteacher
- makes sure the National Curriculum is taught
- ensures the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special needs
People who wish to become a governor of a school in their area should contact their LEA’s Governor Support Unit.
Education in England is overseen by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Local authorities take responsibility for implementing policy for public education and state schools locally.
