Last updated 16:04, Wednesday, 22 October 2008

THERE are four types of state school that receive funding from local authorities, follow the National Curriculum and are inspected by Ofsted.

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

These are run by the LEA which employs the staff, owns the land and buildings and decides on the admissions criteria. Community schools look to form close links with the community and sometimes offer their facilities for childcare and adult learning.

FOUNDATION AND TRUST SCHOOLS

A foundation school is run by its own governing body which employs the staff and decides on the admissions criteria. The land and buildings are owned by the governing body or a charitable foundation.

A trust school is a type of foundation school which forms its own charitable trust with an outside partner, such as a business.

VOLUNTARY-AIDED SCHOOLS

These are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools but anyone can apply for a place. The governing body employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria.

Buildings and land are usually owned by a charitable foundation, often a religious organisation, and the governing body contributes to building and maintenance costs.

VOLUNTARY-CONTROLLED SCHOOLS

These are similar to voluntary-aided but are run by the local authority which employs the staff and sets the admission criteria.

Land and buildings are normally owned by a charity, often a religious organisation, which appoints some of the members of the governing body.