Types of schools

Community schools

Community schools are maintained and controlled by the local authority. We are responsible for offering places at these schools.

Voluntary-aided or Faith schools

A maintained faith school is a foundation or voluntary school with a religious character.  Faith schools may give priority to applications who are of the faith of the school, but they must admit other applicants if they cannot fill all of their places with children of the faith and ensure that their admission arrangements comply with the Admissions Code.

Voluntary-controlled schools

Voluntary-controlled schools are almost always faith schools, and the land and buildings are often owned by a charity.  We are responsible for the admission arrangements and offering places at these schools.

Academies

Academies are publicly-funded independent schools.  They receive their funding direct from the government.  The governing body is responsible for the academy's admission arrangements and is required to follow the law and guidance on admissions.

Trust schools

Trust schools are state-funded foundation schools which receive extra support (usually non-monetary) from a charitable trust made up of partners working together for the benefit of the school.  They are maintained by the local authority.  The governing body is responsible for the school's admission arrangements.

Selective schools

Selective schools (schools that offer places according to ability, such as King Edward's Grammar Schools) take part in the co-ordinated scheme and children must take a test when applying for a place.  Contact the school to register for the test and include the school on your application.

Solihull Council manages the admission of children into all of the above schools according to the coordinated scheme.  Places are offered on behalf of the governing body.

Independent schools

Independent schools normally charge fees.  However, some children can take exams to get a scholarship (a free place). There are two independent schools in Solihull. They do not take part in the co-ordinated scheme. All applications for these schools must be made direct to the school concerned. That school will tell you about the process and timetable.