Schools as Organisations

Task 1.1 and 1.2

Schooling at different stages

Nursery schools
Nursery schools are stand-alone schools for children aged three and four. They have their own head teacher and staff. Some are state-funded, others are privately run .
Nursery classes
Nursery classes are attached to primary schools, for children aged 3-4. They share the same headteacher and staff.
Primary schools
Primary schools cater for children aged 4-11. While at primary school, children start with the Early Years (Foundation)Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum. curriculum, followed by
Secondary schools
Secondary schools cater for children aged 11-16 or 18. They take pupils through Key Stages 3 and 4 of the National Curriculum.
Sixth form colleges
Sixth form colleges cater for young people aged 16-19. Students study for A levels and other qualifications that you can do after the age of 16

All children aged 5-16 are entitled to a free place at a state school. Most families take up this place. A few – around 6.5% - choose to pay for a place at an independent (also called a private, or – confusingly – public) school. Parents pay fees towards the cost of running an independent school.

Types of school

The main categories of school are:
-local education authority maintained schools
-independent schools

Local education authority maintained schools
A local education authority maintained school is one that is funded by the local education authority and will be one of the following: foundation school, community school, voluntary controlled school, voluntary aided school, nursery school and specialist school. Some specialist schools are independent schools.

Community schools
In a community school: the local education authority owns the land and buildings, but the governing body is responsible for running the school the local education authority funds the school the local education authority employs the staff the local education authority provides support services, for example, psychological services and special educational needs services the pupils have to follow the national curriculum the admissions policy is usually determined and administered by the local education authority
There are two types of voluntary schools: controlled and aided
Voluntary controlled schools
A voluntary controlled school can also be called a religious or faith school.
In a voluntary controlled school: the land and buildings are owned by a charity, often a religious organisation such as a church the charity appoints some of the members of the governing body, but the local education authority is responsible for running the school the school is funded by the local education authority the local education authority employs the staff the local education authority provides support services the pupils have to follow the national curriculum the admissions policy is usually determined and administered by the local education authority.

Voluntary aided schools
Voluntary aided schools are usually called religious schools or faith schools. In a voluntary aided school: the land and buildings are normally owned by a charity, often a religious organisation such as a church, but the governing body is responsible for running the school the school is funded partly by the local education authority, partly by the governing body and partly by the charity the governing body employs the staff the local education authority provides support services the pupils have to follow the national curriculum the admissions policy is determined and administered by the governors in consultation with the local education authority and other relevant schools in the area.

Foundation schools
In foundation schools: the land and buildings are owned by a governing body, who are also responsible for running the school the local education authority funds the school the governing body employs the staff