State Schools
State schools - finding the right one...
When it comes to choosing a state school, how do you work out what is hot and what is decidedly not?
'Secondary modern', became synonymous with 'dustbin' and was unceremoniously dumped...
State schools exist not only in a variety of forms but with nuances between those. Some authorities continue to operate a selective system at 11 others do not. The early days of academies were dominated by failing schools closing then reopening as academies...yet in recent times a number of top state schools have joined the academy bandwagon;
Fortunately The Good Schools Guide can help...
State schools - The main contenders
In the UK, state schools exist in a bewildering variety of forms (we include a glossary below). However, worry less about the type of school, there are good and bad within all: look instead at the individual school and how well that will suit your child.
Over the last hundred years, successive governments have struggled to improve education by reforming its structure, over and over again. What hasn't changed is that in the UK all state schools are entirely free to parents as they are funded through taxation.
Finding the ideal state school
On this site you will find a wealth of information to help you choose the right school for your child.
We have an extensive search facility - simply enter your criteria to locate potential schools.
School admissions and catchment areas can be tricky. We explain the former and have produced catchment maps showing where children who attend (or have attended a school, come from). See how far they travel and importantly find out which schools you may be in catchment for, via our Interactive Catchment Area Search (on the home page), and easy to use catchment area maps.
Once you've uncovered the schools how do you choose?
Do all schools do equally well by all children? No.
Performance between schools varies tremendously; it can even vary within a school. Some schools excel in English, yet fall short of the mark in maths; GCSE performance may be stunning but A-level fail to make the grade. Fortunately subscribers to this website can use our extensive data to find how English state schools compare with each other.
If a state school is great for bright children will it be equally as good for a child who's middle of the road or struggling?
It might but then again... Thankfully, if you're a subscriber to the Good Schools Guide (GSG) online you can use our in-depth data to delve behind superficial league tables and find out how well a school is likely to do for YOUR child - whatever their ability - even if they have special needs.
With competition for the best school places hotting-up and our subscription price a mere £3.25* a month for full access (when purchased as an annual subscription), there's never been a better time to buy. Can you afford not to?
Phases of education
|
Age |
State sector |
Independent equivalent |
|
Under 5 |
Early years/nursery. Includes voluntary day nurseries, preschools, playgroups, childminding networks, Portage services and local authority day nurseries |
Nursery |
|
5–7 (inclusive) |
Key Stage 1: Reception (R), years 1–2 (Scotland P1–P3) |
Pre-prep |
|
7/8–11/12* |
Key Stage 2: years 3–6 (Scotland P4-P7) |
Prep school |
|
11–13/14 |
Key Stage 3: years 7–9 (Scotland S1–S2) |
Prep school (Common Entrance examination for entry to senior school is usually sat at age 13. Occasionally pupils transfer at 11.) |
|
13/14–16 |
Key Stage 4: years 10–11 (Scotland S3–S4 – public examinations taken in S4) |
Senior school |
|
16–18 |
Sixth form/further education: years 12–13 (Scotland S5–S6) |
Sixth form: lower and upper sixth |
In England children born between 1st September and 31st August will be in the same year group. Those with September birthdays are the oldest in the year. Most children start school before they are compelled to, but the latest official start date is the term after a child's 5th birthday. The academic year begins in September.
*Scotland and Northern Ireland do things a little differently.
In Scotland the academic year begins in August. Children born between 1st March and 28th/29th February will be in the same year group. Those children born in March will be the oldest in the year (assuming they are not placed 'out of year'). The cut off for starting primary school is that a child should be 5 before the 1st March of the academic year which began the previous August). For this reason a number of children in Scotland are already 12 when they transfer from primary to secondary school (those whose birthdays fall between March and August inclusive).
If you move to Scotland with a 12 year-old who has been in secondary school in England or elsewhere, they may have to transfer back to primary school in Scotland. However, in such circumstances you can make a case for special consideration and an 'out of year' placement. There have been a number of successful cases particularly for mobile individuals and groups such as HM Forces, where the child is likely to move out of the Scottish system before the end of secondary school. We also know of a number of HM Forces families of rising 5's, born after the March cut-off but on or before August 31st who have been successful in placing their children in school early (ahead of a move back to the English system).
In Northern Ireland the cut off is end of June so children born in July are typically the oldest in the year group; again some children will already be 12 when they transfer from primary to secondary school but fewer than in Scotland.
The Good Schools Guide - Can you afford not to read it?
Authoritative, sought-after, truthful...
Try before you buy
Click on the links below to read the FULL Good Schools Guide review or buy now from our on-line store.
Jordanhill School, Glasgow a state school for boys and girls aged 5-18.
Outstanding, with an inspirational, slightly left of centre rector. Better resourced than many independent schools - and its free..
Ripon Grammar School, Ripon Grammar is a state school for boys and girls. Takes boarders.
Demand for boarding places (14 available a year) outstrips supply, especially post-GCSE. An unashamedly academic school, expemplifying much of the traditional English grammar school tradition, though certainly not an exam factory; even so, those with an IQ of lower than 120 could eventually find the pace too hot.
Discover all the inside information including:
- What the head is really like.
- How to get in - and where pupils go on to when they leave.
- What's really on offer; both in and out of the classroom.
- The facilities, frippery and finery to be found - or not!
- The atmosphere - who will the school REALLY suit?
- The funding you'll need and the financial health of the school.
- Our opinion - what parents think, what we've uncovered...
Online only -
Subscribers to The Good Schools guide can examine:
- School performance data* for KS2, GCSE and A-level
- Value-added data* .Does the school make a difference to all pupils or just some?
- University information*. Details of which universities pupils go on to and what they study.
- And, for English state schools, make sure you make the right move by examining catchment area data and seeing which schools pupils come from and which schools they move on to.
*We indicate on a school's page here data is available. We do not have data for schools outside of England.
School types - a glossary of the main contenders
- Academies/City Academies - a newish breed of all ability schools sponsored in part by businesses, faith groups etc. Have a degree of autonomy, work in close partnership with central government. Day-to-day running costs are met by the DfE. Found in an increasing number of inner city areas; often replace failing schools. Despite the shiny paint and state of the art facilities, a number are still failing to meet the government's academic targets. However, the past couple of years have seen a few top-notch schools such as: Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College and Mossbourne Community Academy, London demonstrate the true potential of academies.
- City Technology Colleges - the fore-runners of City Academies, independent of the local authority but they do not charge fees; many disappearing and reappearing as academies. Aim to provide, with the help of private sector sponsors, a work related curriculum. Most take all-comers but some exercise a degree of selection in their area of specialism.
- Community schools - generic term for local authority controlled schools.
- Comprehensive schools - take all pupils regardless of ability or aptitude. Some are fully comprehensive others have limited selection. Most rapidly disappearing - and re-emerging as specialist schools - see below.
- Grammar schools - found in a number of LAs (see Local authorities with grammar schools and Selective grammar schools reviewed in The Good Schools Guide). They selects pupils on academic merit via an 11+ exam usually in maths, English, verbal reasoning (VR), and non-verbal reasoning (NVR). Provide a rigorous academic education (and sometimes not much else).
- Specialist schools - comprehensive schools awarded specialist status in one or more curriculum areas. Specialist status does not mean a school is the best within the locality for that curriculum specialism so do check.
- Secondary modern schools - found in areas where grammar schools still exist, to cater for pupils who fail, or do not take, the grammar school exams. 'Secondary modern', has become synonymous with 'dustbin' so most are now referred to by another name.
- Denominational schools - faith schools found in Scotland.
- Faith schools - state schools - admission to which primarily, but not necessarily exclusively, depends on religious affiliation.
- Foundation schools A state school owned by a foundation (generally religious) which appoints some of the governing body.
- Special schools - local authority schools for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. A number are featured in The Good Schools Guide see Special schools in The Good Schools Guide (featuring a mix of state and independent special schools).
- Self-governing schools - Scottish schools that have opted out of local authority control. Financed by grants from central government but run by a board of management.
- Voluntary aided schools - The governing body is the employer and the admissions authority. Land and buildings (apart from playing fields which are normally vested in the LA) will usually be owned by a charitable foundation. Dame Alice Owen's School, Potters Bar and Bishop Luffa Church of England School, Chichester are just two examples of voluntary-aided schools reviewed by The Good Schools Guide.
- Sixth-form colleges - take young people aged from approximately 16 to 18 for a variety of courses including NVQ, GCSE and A-levels.
- FE colleges - offer post 16 courses for young people and adults. Traditionally strong in vocational and work-related training.
- State boarding schools - the education is free; a fee is charged for boarding. Some have selective entry, many are open to all. See State boarding schools to find out more.
Further reading
We have a whole series of articles and advice to help you every step of the way; whether tentatively embarking on choosing a school, or part way through the school choice process.
For those new to the process:
From Embryo To Eighteen - How To Survive The Education Highway
Grammar Schools Reviewed By The Good Schools Guide
Where To Find A State Grammar School
Choosing A State Grammar Schools - How do you secure a place? Do they live up to the promise?
Primary Schools In The UK - make sure your child's first steps into school aren't one giant leap of faith.
Choosing A School - Thoughts or Parents. This lively article will save you precious time and help you cut to the chase.
Inspection Reports From Ofsted And Others - Can you believe all they say?
For those visiting schools:
Questions To Ask Staff When Visiting A School
Questions To Ask When Visiting A School - Academic Matters
Questions To Ask When Visiting A School - Beyond the Classroom
Visiting A School - Questions For Pupils
State Boarding Schools: Free Tuition Just Pay For Your Stay Think you can't afford a boarding school education, think again!
For those contemplating the admissions process:
State School Admissions - How To Secure A Place - the low down on school admissions - the one section you won't want to share with your neighbours!
The Catchment Area Cheat - £10 gas bill for a whole year? The lengths people go to, to secure a place of entry at their preferred school and the ruses that catch them out!
Subscribe to The Good Schools Guide (GSG) online from as little as £3.25* a month - Can you afford not to?* Based on purchase of a £39 annual subscription. Alternatively you can purchase a one month introductory subscription for £9.99
Shop Online from our Bookstore
Galore Park, an independent publisher have a excellent range of books - including phonics, 11+, common entrance, scholarship, study guides, individual subjects plus verbal and non-verbal reasoning. You can order past papers for exams plus all the Galore Park textbooks from our online bookshop.
Find a School...
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