This topic relates to the numbers and types of schools and colleges in England. Data are available at national and sub-national levels.
Publications
This SFR provides information about appeals lodged by parents during the academic year against non-admission of their children to their preferred school. It includes all appeals lodged during the academic year across all year groups. Figures are provided at both national and local authority level.
The Benchmarking Tables of planned expenditure are drawn from the published Children, Schools and Families Financial Data Collection budget statements and are primarily aimed at School Forums and Local Authorities. The tables give detailed information on each authority's planned expenditure on education in a form which enables comparison between authorities.
This output has reverted to its original title of 'Budgeted Expenditure on Special Educaitonal Needs (SEN) Provision in Wales'. For the latest information please see this output.
Presents results from the Class Size Count which was carried out in all maintained primary schools in Wales.
A summary of Northern Ireland Education Statistics over time.
Main categories of revenue spend, spend devolved to heads, plus capital spend.
Local Authorities are required under section 251 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to prepare and submit an education and children’s social care outturn statement. These statistics provide a detailed picture of local authority actual expenditure and provide details of the size and amount of school balances.
Local Authorities are required under section 251 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to prepare and submit an education and children’s social care budget statement. These statistics provide a detailed picture of local authority planned expenditure.
This statistical bulletin brings together data collected via the Independent Schools' Census. The data is primarily based on the 2010 Census, but several historical tables are also provided for historical trends.
This Statistical Bulletin analyses the resources that local authorities budgeted to make available for education in Wales.
This Statistical Bulletin analyses the resources that local authorities budgeted to make available for education.
This Statistical Bulletin analyses the resources that local authorities spent on education.
This publication will provide at a local authority level the percentage of schools providing access to the full core offer of extended services.
The PE and Sport Survey contributes to DCSF/DCMS PSA indicator 22.5 and measures the take-up of 3 hours of high-quality PE and out-of-hours school sport in a typical week. Data is also collected for FE colleges.
Provides statistics on participation of 16-18 year olds in education, training and employment.
Requests to place children in schools outside of the catchment area, by stage and sector. Provides success rate and reasons for refusal.
Contains figures on class sizes in maintained primary and secondary schools in England.
Provides analysis of financial reserves held by schools in Wales.
Information on the number of places and the number of pupils in maintained Primary and Secondary schools and Academies
This statistical bulletin reports on the number of schools that closed and for how long they were closed during extreme weather conditions.
Statistics on cross border movement of secondary pupils in London
Size, condition and costs of school estate.
Local Authorities are required under section 52 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 to prepare and submit an education outturn statement (containing details of the actual expenditure and funding of schools and LAs during the financial year) at the end of each financial year. From the education outturn statement, statistics showing the total revenue balance for each school can be derived and these statistics form the basis of this publication.
This Statistical Release presents statistics on schools, teachers and pupils for Wales.
Presents statistics on a variety of school and attainment indicators split by Assembly constituencies and regions as at the 2007 Assembly elections.
Provides a comprehensive summary of schools statistics for Wales.
Presents statistics on schools, teachers and pupils for Wales.
This Statistical First Release (SFR) is based upon information collected in the School Census. It includes information on both the number of schools and pupils, and tables showing the number of pupils by age, gender, free school meal eligibility, ethnicity, first language, and gifted and talented status. It also includes a range of class size information.
The Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy (SSLN) is an annual sample survey which monitors national performance in literacy and numeracy in alternate years, for school children at P4, P7 and S2. It also provides information which will inform improvements in learning and teaching and assessment at classroom level.
Information about secondary school applications and offers received by parents on National Offer Day as provided by local authorities.
Provides statistics on school meals, post appeal qualifications and school leaver destinations.
This bulletin is a one off publication that looks at how pupils are distributed between schools. It reports on the period 2006/2007 but also includes time series data from 1997.
Overview
There are different types of state school in England, as well as independent schools. All children in England between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school. Most go to state schools.
Children normally start primary school at the age of 4 or 5, but many schools now have a reception year for 4 year olds. Children normally leave at the age of 11, moving on to secondary school. Most state schools admit both boys and girls, though some are single-sex.
The four main types of state school all receive funding from local authorities. They all follow the National Curriculum and are regularly inspected by Ofsted. These are:
- Community schools
- Foundation and Trust schools
- Voluntary-aided schools
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Voluntary-controlled schools
Pupil referral units (PRUs) are also a type of school. They are established and maintained by the local authority to provide education for children who require alternative educational provision.
Some state schools have particular characteristics, these include:
- Academies
- City Technology Colleges
- Community and foundation special schools
- Faith schools
- Grammar schools
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Maintained boarding schools
Technical Data
The School Census covers maintained and direct grant nursery schools, maintained primary schools, maintained secondary schools, city technology colleges, academies, maintained and non maintained special schools. Information is collected on a termly basis.
The Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) Census requires each Local Authority in England to return information on all PRUs run, managed or funded by the authority. Information is collected on an annual basis.
Information on pupils in Alternative Provision (not PRUs) is collected at local authority level on an annual basis.
Information on pupils in Independent schools and General Hospital schools is currently collected at school level only, with the aim of moving to pupil level in the future.
Glossary
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Academies
Academies are independently managed, all-ability schools set up by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups in partnership with the Department for Education and the local authority. Together they fund the land and buildings, with the government covering the running costs.
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City Technology Colleges
These are independently managed, non-fee-paying schools in urban areas for pupils of all abilities aged 11 to 18. They are geared towards science, technology and the world of work, offering a range of vocational qualifications as well as GCSEs and A levels.
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Community and foundation special schools
Special schools cater for children with specific special educational needs. These may include physical disabilities or learning difficulties.
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Community schools
A community school is run by the local authority, which employs the staff, owns the land and buildings and decides which ‘admissions criteria’ to use (these are used to allocate places if the school has more applicants than places). Community schools look to develop strong links with the local community, sometimes offering use of their facilities and providing services such as childcare and adult learning classes.
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Faith schools
Faith schools are mostly run in the same way as other state schools. However, their faith status may be reflected in their religious education curriculum, admissions criteria and staffing policies.
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Foundation and Trust schools
Foundation schools are run by their own governing body, which employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria. Land and buildings are usually owned by the governing body or a charitable foundation. A Trust school is a type of foundation school which forms a charitable trust with an outside partner - for example, a business or educational charity - aiming to raise standards and explore new ways of working. The decision to become a Trust school is taken by the governing body, with parents having a say.
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Grammar schools
Grammar schools select all or most of their pupils based on academic ability.
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Independent schools
These schools set their own curriculum and admissions policies. They are funded by fees paid by parents and income from investments. Just over half have charitable status. Every independent school must be registered with the Department for Education. Standards are regularly monitored by either Ofsted or an inspectorate approved by the Secretary of State, ensuring that the school maintains the standards set out in its registration document.
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Maintained boarding schools
Maintained boarding schools offer free tuition, but charge fees for board and lodging.
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Nursery school
Nursery classes and schools fall into two groups: state and private. Most day nurseries are privately run but local authorities maintain nursery schools
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Primary school
Children normally start primary school at the age of four or five, but many schools now have a reception year for four year olds. Children normally leave at the age of 11, moving on to secondary school.
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Pupil referral units (PRUs
(PRUs) are also a type of school. They are established and maintained by the local authority to provide education for children who require alternative educational provision.
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Secondary school
Secondary schools generally cater for pupils aged 11-16 or 11-18.
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Specialist schools
Though they follow the National Curriculum, specialist schools focus on a particular subject area. Examples include sports, technology or visual arts.
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Special school
Special schools make special educational provision for pupils with statements of special educational needs (SEN) whose needs cannot be fully met from within mainstream provision.
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Voluntary-aided schools
Voluntary-aided schools are mainly religious or 'faith' schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The governing body employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria. School buildings and land are normally owned by a charitable foundation, often a religious organisation. The governing body contributes to building and maintenance costs.
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Voluntary-controlled schools
Voluntary-controlled schools are similar to voluntary aided schools, but are run by the local authority. The local authority employs the school's staff and sets the admissions criteria. School land and buildings are normally owned by a charity, often a religious organisation, which also appoints some of the members of the governing body.
Contact Details
For statistical enquiries about this topic, please contact:
Department for Education, Schools Data Unit (Characteristics)
Email: Schools.statistics@education.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 870 000 2288 Minicom/textphone: +44 (0) 192 879 4274
