Different Types of Schools 2

Please note: The change in government means that many of the initiatives discussed on this page may no longer reflect government policy and may be subject to change as the new Government forms its policies.

Primary

  • Key Stage 1 (Infants)
  • Key Stage 2 (Junior)
  • Both (Primary).

A significant number of primary schools are church schools.

Secondary

  • Key Stage 3 and 4 (12-16)
  • May include a 6th form (16-19)
  • Specialist Schools or Specialist Colleges were secondary schools which had been designated as a specialist school in one of ten specialisms. Specialism funding has now ended, but many schools have kept the title and the focus.
  • The Leading Edge Partnership Programme was established in 2003 to encourage secondary schools to work in partnership to solve some of the most intractable problems in education. It has resulted in some interesting practice.

16-19

  • May be in a school sixth form or an FE college.
  • FE Colleges usually offer a wider range of vocational courses than schools.

Cross-phase

  • Special Schools cater for a range of special educational needs including learning and physical disabilities. Some schools are residential and some are day schools.
  • Many hospitals have hospital schools so that children can benefit both academically and therapeutically.
  • Pupil Referral Units (PRUS) are a type of school, set up and run by LAs to provide education for children who cannot attend school. This may be those who cannot attend school because of medical problems, teenage mothers and pregnant schoolgirls, pupils who have been assessed as being school phobic, and pupils awaiting a school place. They also provide education for pupils who have been excluded and they can be used to provide short placements for those who are at risk of exclusion.
  • Home educators: many parents choose to educate their children at home.

The previous government encouraged various Awards and Accreditations such as:

  • Eco-Schools an international award programme around environmental sustainability.
  • Artsmark provides a benchmark for arts provision that encourages schools to consider the opportunities they offer in art, dance, drama and music.
  • Growing Schools designed to encourage the use of the “outdoor classroom” as a resource across the curriculum for pupils of all ages.
  • The Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) was a joint initiative between DCSF and Department of Health (DH) – which promotes a whole school / whole child approach to health.

Websites: