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Schooling in the UK
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).
Free schools
are funded by the government but aren’t run by the local council. They
have more control over how they do things. They don’t have to follow the national
curriculum. They’re ‘all-ability’ schools, so they can’t use academic selection processes
like a grammar school.
Academies
are publicly funded independent schools. Academies don’t have to follow the
national curriculum and can set their own term times. They still must follow the same rules
on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools.
Academies get money direct from the government, not the local council. They’re run by an
academy trust which employs the staff.
Some academies have sponsors such as businesses, universities, other schools, faith
groups or voluntary groups. Sponsors are responsible for improving the performance of
their schools
.
Text fro
m www.gov.uk/types-of-school/overview (June 2017)