Foundation Schools

Foundation schools are schools maintained by the local authority, the other categories being community, voluntary aided and voluntary controlled schools.

Foundation schools share a number of characteristics with voluntary aided schools in that they own their own land and buildings, employ their own staff, and determine their own admission policies subject to any comments by the Schools Admissions Forum.

There are differences in that foundation schools have no links to faiths and they are funded for capital works as are other maintained schools without any legal requirement to provide a percentage contribution.

The primary legislation covering foundation school status is provided by the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and regulations made under that Act.

For more information on foundation schools including funding, admissions, employment of staff and governance please take time to view our question and answer guide.

Foundation Schools Guide [Word 133 KB]

Foundation Schools Guide [pdf 102 KB]