An Overview

Children in the UK are legally required to start school at the age of 5, but many start earlier. A primary school is funded by the state, whereas a prep school is fee-paying. At the age of 11, students move on to secondary education, where they will remain until 18 unless in an apprenticeship or traineeship, or part-time education. The national curriculum is the government’s set of standards for primary and secondary schools and the basis for education in the UK.

All children in England between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school. State schools receive funding through their local authority or directly from the government, whereas private schools are funded by the pupil. Choosing the right type of, and then right school is vital to allow your children to flourish, but the pupil and school must match well to allow this to really happen.

 

Types of School

Private Schools / Independent Schools

Private schools charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum but work towards the same examination goals. All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly and reports on the school are available. Private schools can be selective and as are funded by parents, can often have a large resource to provide for facilities and staffing. Entrance to these schools is generally by assessment at the age of 11 or 13, although other entry points are available. The name public school is often used to describe these schools, and fees can be upwards of £35 000 a year in boarding. Independent schools are up against one another vying for the same pupils, each pushing their own strengths, but in general, their funding situation leads them to have a high-quality education, a high level of support to pupils due to a pupil to staff ratio and the ability to recruit using their own pay scales, the freedom of academic subjects to choose from, coupled with a huge range of extra-curricular sports, arts and outdoor education and high levels of available technology to support learning. The schools remain highly engaged with parents.

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Free Schools

Free schools are funded by the government but are not run by the local authority. They have more control over how they do things and do not have to follow the national curriculum. They are ‘all-ability’ and cannot use academic selection processes for entry. They can set their own staff pay and conditions and length of school day similarly to private schools. Free schools are run on a not-for-profit basis and can be set up by groups such as charities, universities, communities or businesses. University technical colleges specialise in subjects like engineering and construction and teach these subjects along with business skills and using IT. Studio schools are small, teaching mainstream qualifications through project-based learning, working in realistic situations as well as learning academic subjects.

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Acadamies

Academies receive funding from the government and are run by an academy trust and do not charge fees. They have to follow the same rules on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools and students sit the same exams. Academies have more control over how they do things; they do not have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times. Academy trusts are not-for-profit companies. They employ the staff and have trustees who are responsible for the performance of the academies in the trust. Trusts might run a single academy or a group of academies.

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Faith Schools

Faith schools have to follow the national curriculum, but they can choose what they teach in religious studies. They may have different admissions criteria and staffing policies to state schools, although anyone can apply for a place. Faith academies do not have to teach the national curriculum and have their own admissions processes.

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State Boarding Schools

State boarding schools provide free education but charge fees for boarding. Most state boarding schools are academies, but some free schools and some are run by local authorities. State boarding schools give priority to children who have a particular need to board. Charities can sometimes assist with the cost of boarding.

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City technology colleges

City technology colleges and ‘the city college for the technology of the arts’ are independent schools in urban areas with no school fees as they are funded by the government. City technology colleges emphasise teaching science and technology and The City College for the Technology of the Arts teaches technology in its application of performing and creative arts.

 

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, social, emotional and mental health, and sensory and physical needs. Schools can further specialise within these categories to reflect the special needs they help with, for example Autistic spectrum disorders, visual impairment, or speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

 

Some notes to the international community looking for their UK school

• Beware of agents who promote schools from whom they earn commissions. There may be nothing wrong with the schools they tout, and they often provide a useful service-sorting out visas, summer English courses, etc - but keep in mind that the agents may not give you unbiased advice. And the best schools may turn your child down because they know the agent will expect a payment, and the school can quickly fill that slot with another student, thank you very much.

• Beware of 'education fairs' populated by a seedy academic fringe of English language schools, boarding school preparation courses, struggling boarding schools and tutorial colleges: some of the institutions on offer will be excellent, but do scrutinise what they are offering.

• The British Council can provide useful contacts and, in some countries provide a full school placement service, but do not allow their advice to replace your own judgment.

• Always try to visit a school to which you will be sending your child before you commit yourself.

• Keep in mind that for your child to qualify for a visa to study in the UK, you will need to provide evidence that you can financially support him throughout his stay.

• Remember that schools will always find places for brilliant pupils. If your child is genuinely towering above the scholars in his current school, and you have evidence for his or her impressive intellect, do make schools aware of it and don't settle for less than a top academic school.

• Many British schools really are among the best in the world and offer a breadth of education that is unobtainable elsewhere. Make sure to take your time, talk to as many people as you can, and get your decision right.

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The UK educations system is old, varied, and comprehensive, catering to every child’s requirements, but having this many options can be confusing, enlist the experts at Kensington Tutors to help you through this process.