Types of secondary schools in England

Terms such as academy, maintained school and free school describe governance and funding. Terms such as grammar, faith and comprehensive describe selection or character. A school can fit more than one description—for example, a grammar school can also be an academy.

The school’s current admissions policy is more useful than relying on its label alone.

Most secondary schools do not select pupils by general academic ability. When oversubscribed they may prioritise looked-after children, siblings, catchment or distance. Non-selective does not mean there are no admissions criteria; it means the school does not use overall academic selection for its main intake.

Grammar schools select all or most pupils by academic ability, normally through an entrance assessment commonly called the 11-plus. Registration dates, test providers, qualifying scores and priority areas vary. Passing a test does not necessarily guarantee a place if more qualified pupils apply than the school can admit.

Academies and free schools are funded directly by central government and operated by academy trusts. Maintained schools are overseen by local authorities. Academies are their own admission authorities, although applications for the normal intake are usually coordinated through the family’s home council.

Faith schools may include religious criteria when oversubscribed. All-through schools educate pupils across both primary and secondary ages, but transfer arrangements between phases must still be checked. University technical colleges and studio schools generally serve older age groups and combine academic study with technical or employment-focused learning.

Compare the actual age range, curriculum, admissions criteria and published outcomes rather than assuming every school with the same category works identically.