When choosing a school to attend, there are several different types to consider. The main two categories of school are Local Education Authority Schools (LEA) and Independent schools.

LEA schools could be any of the following: foundation schools, community schools, voluntary aided schools or nursery schools. For children with special education needs or learning disabilities, there are lots of LEA special schools. LEA schools have to follow the government’s national curriculum and usually receive most or all of their funding through the local authority.

Independent schools are solely responsible for their own running, so the governing body has more of a say in how the school is run. There are fees to pay to attend, although some schools offer bursaries or subsidies. The pupils at independent schools do not have to follow the national curriculum. There are often strict admissions policies, particularly when applying for bursaries or subsidies for fees.