Types of school and how their admissions policies are decided

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Maintained schools
  3. Voluntary controlled schools
  4. Voluntary aided schools
  5. Foundation schools
  6. Sixth forms
  7. Other types of school

Overview

Schools and education settings in South Tyneside are committed to inclusive education, and to welcoming a diverse range of children and young people.

There is a mix of maintained, voluntary controlled, voluntary aided and foundation schools in South Tyneside.

This page tells you more about these types of schools, and how their admissions policies are decided.

To see the individual admissions policies for schools in South Tyneside, see school admissions numbers and policies.


Council maintained schools

Maintained schools are funded through the Council, and are overseen or 'maintained' by the Council.

They are not influenced by business or religious groups.

South Tyneside Council has many types of 'maintained schools', including:

  • Nursery schools
  • Primary and secondary schools
  • Additional resource bases
  • Special schools
  • Pupil referral units

We co-ordinate applications to these schools, and determine the admissions arrangements.


Voluntary controlled schools

Voluntary controlled schools are set up by voluntary bodies such as churches or foundations.

They are funded solely by the Council.

We co-ordinate applications to these schools, and determine the admissions arrangements.


Voluntary aided schools

Voluntary aided schools are set up by voluntary bodies such as churches or foundations.

They are funded by both the Council and the voluntary body.

We co-ordinate applications to the school, but the school determines it's own admissions arrangements.


Foundation schools

Foundation schools are funded by the Council, but have more freedom to change the way they do things.

We co-ordinate applications to the school but the school determines it's own admissions arrangements.


Sixth forms

Some of our secondary schools offer sixth form education.

We determine the admissions arrangements for sixth forms.


Other types of school

Other types of schools are run by education trusts or sponsors, and get funding directly from the government.

This includes:

  • Academies and free schools 
  • Independent schools 
  • Independent and non-maintained special schools. This includes independent specialist schools that have been approved by the Secretary of State under Section 41 of the Children & Families Act 2014 (known as 'Section 41' schools).