Types of schools
Maintained Schools
These are schools maintained by local authorities. They include community schools, special schools, voluntary aided schools, voluntary controlled schools and foundation schools. The majority of schools in Staffordshire are maintained schools.
- Community Schools: These are state-funded schools in England and Wales. The local education authority is responsible for admissions, employs the school staff and owns the school's land and assets.
- Voluntary Controlled Schools: These are state-funded schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A foundation or trust, usually a Christian one, influences how the school is run. These schools have less autonomy than voluntary aided schools.
- Voluntary Aided Schools: These are state-funded schools in England or Wales. Usually a religious organisation contributes to their building costs. It will have a major influence in the running of the school.
- Foundation Schools: These are state-funded schools in England or Wales. The governing body has more freedom in the running of the school than community schools and are supported by a charitable foundation or trust. Their funding is the same as other local authority maintained schools. The school employs its own staff and manages its own land and assets. The trust appoints the school governors.
Academies
Academy schools are state-funded schools in England. They are funded by the Department for Education and not controlled by local authorities.
University Technical Colleges
University Technical Colleges (UTCs) are schools for 14–19 year olds. They deliver an innovative, high-quality education that combines technical, practical and academic learning. In doing so, they offer students more than the traditional GCSE and A Level curriculum.
Find out information about UTCs in and around Staffordshire.
Studio Schools
Studio Schools are a new type of school for 14-19 year olds. They have employer involvement in the curriculum and teach through enterprise projects and real work so that learning is rooted in real-life and students develop the skills employers value.
Find out information about studio schools in and around Staffordshire.