Voluntary controlled school
Encyclopedia
A voluntary controlled school is a state-funded school in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland
in which a foundation
or trust
(usually a Christian denomination) has some formal influence in the running of the school. Such schools have less autonomy than voluntary aided school
s, in which the foundation pays part of any building costs.
, voluntary schools were those associated with a foundation, usually a religious group.
That Act imposed higher standards on school facilities, and offered voluntary schools a choice in funding the costs this would incur.
The Roman Catholic Church
chose to retain control of its schools, while more than half of Church of England
schools became voluntary controlled.
The land and buildings are typically owned by a charitable foundation, which also appoints about a quarter of the school governors.
However, the Local Education Authority employs the school's staff and has primary responsibility for the school's admission arrangements.
Pupils follow the National Curriculum.
Within the maintained sector in England, approximately 15% of primary schools are voluntary controlled, almost all of them associated with the Church of England.
Only 3% of secondary schools are voluntary controlled, of which about half are Church of England schools.
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in which a foundation
Foundation (charity)
A foundation is a legal categorization of nonprofit organizations that will typically either donate funds and support to other organizations, or provide the source of funding for its own charitable purposes....
or trust
Charitable trust
A charitable trust is an irrevocable trust established for charitable purposes, and is a more specific term than "charitable organization".-United States:...
(usually a Christian denomination) has some formal influence in the running of the school. Such schools have less autonomy than voluntary aided school
Voluntary aided school
A voluntary aided school is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust owns the school buildings, contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school...
s, in which the foundation pays part of any building costs.
History
Prior to the Education Act 1944Education Act 1944
The Education Act 1944 changed the education system for secondary schools in England and Wales. This Act, commonly named after the Conservative politician R.A...
, voluntary schools were those associated with a foundation, usually a religious group.
That Act imposed higher standards on school facilities, and offered voluntary schools a choice in funding the costs this would incur.
- Voluntary controlled schools would have all their costs met by the state, but would be controlled by the Local Education AuthorityLocal Education AuthorityA local education authority is a local authority in England and Wales that has responsibility for education within its jurisdiction...
. - Voluntary aided schoolVoluntary aided schoolA voluntary aided school is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust owns the school buildings, contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school...
s would be only partly funded by the state, with the foundation responsible for 50% of capital works but having greater influence over the school.
The Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
chose to retain control of its schools, while more than half of Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
schools became voluntary controlled.
Characteristics
Voluntary controlled schools are a kind of "maintained school", meaning that they are funded by central government via the local authority, and do not charge fees to students.The land and buildings are typically owned by a charitable foundation, which also appoints about a quarter of the school governors.
However, the Local Education Authority employs the school's staff and has primary responsibility for the school's admission arrangements.
Pupils follow the National Curriculum.
Within the maintained sector in England, approximately 15% of primary schools are voluntary controlled, almost all of them associated with the Church of England.
Only 3% of secondary schools are voluntary controlled, of which about half are Church of England schools.