Types of school 

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. The most common ones are: 

• community schools, which are sometimes called local authority maintained schools - they are not influenced by business or religious groups and follow the national curriculum  
• foundation schools and voluntary schools, which are funded by the local authority but have more freedom to change the way they do things - sometimes they are supported by representatives from religious groups 
• academies and free schools, which are run by not-for-profit academy trusts, are independent from the local authority - they have more freedom to change how they run things and can follow a different curriculum 
• grammar schools, which can be run by the local authority, a foundation body or an academy trust - they select their pupils based on academic ability and there is a test to get in 

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 
• 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). 

Faith schools 

Faith schools have to follow the national curriculum, but they can choose what they teach in religious studies. Faith schools may have different admissions criteria and staffing policies to state schools, although anyone can apply for a place. 

Private schools 

Private schools (also known as ‘independent schools’) charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum. All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly. 

For further information on Types of schools see GOV.UK’s website. 

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) 

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their: 

• behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends 
• reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia 
• ability to understand things 
• concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD 
• physical ability 

For further information on SEND see the GOV.UK's website.  

School admissions - How to apply 

Follow your local council’s application process to: 

• apply for a primary school place 

• apply for a secondary school place 

You must still apply for a place, even if the school is linked to your child’s current nursery, infant or primary school. 

Apply directly for :

• a 6th form place at a school or college 
• a place at a private school 

For further information on School Admissions see GOV.UK’s website  

Home Education 

You can teach your child at home, either full or part-time. This is called home education (sometimes elective home education or homeschooling).  

If your child is currently at school, you should tell the school if you plan to educate them at home. The school must accept if you are taking your child out completely. They can refuse if you want to send your child to school some of the time.   

If your child is attending school because of a school attendance order, you must get permission from your local council before you can educate them at home. 

For further information on Home Education please see GOV.UK’s website.  

School attendance and absence 

You must make sure your child gets a full-time education that meets their needs (for example if they have special educational needs). You can send your child to school or educate them yourself. 
Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16. 
You’ll be contacted by either: 

• the school - if your child is enrolled in school and does not turn up (even if they’re only absent for a day) 
• the council’s education welfare officer - if they think your child is not getting a suitable education at home 

You can only allow your child to miss school if either: 

• they are too ill to go in 
• you’ve got advance permission from the school 

For further information on School attendance and absence see GOV.UK’s website.  

Safe walking or cycling routes to school 

Enter your postcode to get advice from the council on safe walking and cycling routes to your child’s school. 

The National Curriculum 

The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the National Curriculum, as well as religious education and sex education. The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject. 

Other types of school like academies and private schools do not have to follow the national curriculum. Academies must teach a broad and balanced curriculum including English, maths and science. They must also teach religious education. 

Key stages 

The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called ‘key stages’ (KS). At the end of each key stage, the teacher will formally assess your child’s performance. 

By the end of each summer term the school must write a report on your child’s progress and talk it through with you. 

See also: 

• Key stage 1 and 2 
• Key stage 3 and 4 
• Other compulsory subjects 

For further information on The national curriculum see GOV.UK's website.  

School terms and holiday dates 

Find your child’s school term, half term and holiday dates on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. School term and holiday dates vary across the UK. 

• Cambridgeshire County Council - School Term Dates 

School Uniform 

Each school decides its uniform and must not discriminate based on sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief.  

The head teacher can discipline your child for not wearing the school uniform. Your child can be suspended or expelled if they repeatedly ignore the uniform rules.  

Talk to the head teacher if your child is not wearing the uniform, including PE kit, because you cannot afford it.   

You may be able to get help with school uniform costs.   

Further information on School Uniform can be found on GOV.UK's website.