Types of school

There are five types of state school within the county. These are listed below. The Local Authority (LA) is responsible for admissions to:

• Community Schools - Admissions priorities are based on county-wide criteria
• Voluntary Controlled Schools - These schools may be linked to a particular church. Admission criteria may be agreed as a county policy for these schools. Some arrangements may vary, however, and it is advisable to consult the school's prospectus.

The governors of individual schools decide all matters relating to admissions to:

• Voluntary Aided Schools - The school's trust deed and instrument of government will normally include the church religion/belief under which the school was originally founded. Admission criteria can vary according to the denomination of the school. It is therefore important to check the admission arrangements with these schools as their closing dates for applications may vary from those controlled by the LA
• Foundation Schools - The school's prospectus will give full details of the admission criteria and admission arrangements operating in the school.
• Academy - These schools are independent, mixed ability schools, established with sponsors. The funding agreement between an Academy company and the Secretary of State requires the Academy's admission policy and arrangements to be consistent with admissions law and the School Admissions Code.

The LA has no responsibility for independent schools in Nottinghamshire.

With effect from 1st April 1998, local government reorganisation established a new unitary authority for the City of Nottingham so the County Council no longer has responsibility for schools within the city boundary.

You can use this site to get basic information on any of the schools in the county or to visit a school's own website if it has one. If you would like more details about a particular school, and how its places are allocated, you can get hold of its prospectus from the school, your local library or area base.