We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
Types of school and how they're run - community schools, academies, free schools, faith schools, state boarding schools.
All children in England between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a…
Faith schools have to follow the national curriculum, but they can choose…
Free schools are funded by the government but are not run by the local…
Academies receive funding directly from the government and are run by an…
City technology colleges and ‘ the city college for the technology of the…
State boarding schools provide free education but charge fees for…
Private schools (also known as ‘independent schools’) charge fees to…
Get a place for your child at a primary or secondary school - applications, deadlines, admission criteria, appeals and complaints.
If you live in England contact your local council to find: state-funded…
All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places.…
Most children start reception full-time in September after their fourth…
Follow your local council’s application process to: apply for a primary…
If your child does not have a place, contact your local council for…
You’ll be sent a letter with the decision about your child’s school. If…
You can complain about the way the appeal was carried out, but you can not…
Educational professionals can search for and update establishment details using this service, previously called Edubase.
Check school performance tables (‘league tables’), Ofsted reports and financial information.
Sending a child to school, financial support, dealing with the school
The English national curriculum means children in different schools (at primary and secondary level) study the same subjects to similar standards - it's split into key stages with tests
Help with school costs, the curriculum and school attendance
The Department for Education’s statutory guidance publications for schools and local authorities.
Find out what help you can get to develop a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Research publications and projects that support school improvement in teaching school alliances.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab).