All children in England between the ages of 5 and 18 are entitled to a free place at a state school. In Gloucestershire, children are able to attend Reception Class the September following their fourth birthday and parents will be contacted in the previous November asking them to submit a preference to a school place. Details of admissions within Gloucestershire can be found by visitng http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-admissions/
Most state schools have to follow the national curriculum. The most common ones are:
- community schools: controlled by the local council and not influenced by business or religious groups
- foundation schools: more freedom to change the way they do things than community schools
- academies: run by an governing body, independent from the local council - they can follow a different curriculum
- grammar schools: run by the council, a foundation body or a trust - they select all or most of their pupils based on academic ability and there is often an exam to get in
There are also the following types of school:
- Specialist schools
- Free schools
- Faith schools
- Academies
- City Technology Colleges
- and Private Schools
For more information about all of the above you can visit the GOV.UK website
School Uniform Support
If you need help buying a school uniform, please talk to your school
The county no longer provide the school uniform grant.
The uniform grant is now controlled by the individual schools so if you are on a low income you will need to direct your enquiries to the school.