With so many different types of school in the UK, it’s difficult to know which one to consider teaching in.

If you’re new to the profession, you need to think carefully about where you want to begin your career.  

Before you’ve planned your first lesson, picked out your stationery or even sent off a single job application, think about which type of school is best suited to you.  

What are the different types of school in the UK? 

• Academies
  Academies are independent, state-funded schools that receive funding directly from central government rather than through a local authority. Academies can follow their own curriculum and most have a focus on a specific area such as computing, performing arts or sport.
• City technology colleges
  These are independent schools in urban areas that are funded by central government and are free to attend. They emphasise the teaching of science and technology by forging close links with businesses and industry.
• Community schools
  These are state-funded schools that are controlled by the local council.
• Faith schools
  They have to follow the national curriculum but can choose what they teach in religious studies. Because their teaching is line with their faith’s ethos, this can be an important consideration for parents and potential teachers. The governing body is responsible for matters such as deciding the admissions policy and appointing staff.
• Foundation schools
  Like community schools, they are funded through the local authority but they are run by a governing body and have more scope to change the way that they operate. They can set their own admissions policies and have more freedom when appointing staff.
• Free schools
  Funded by central government, these schools have more control over how they operate, so can set their own pay and conditions, change the length of school terms and days, and don’t have to follow the national curriculum.
• Grammar schools
  These are selective, state-funded schools. Run by councils, a foundation body or a trust, grammars select all or most of their pupils based on academic ability. Pupils usually have to sit an entrance exam at age 11, known as the 11-plus.
• International schools
  These are schools that promote international education, in an international environment, either by adapting a curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the school’s country of residence.
• Private or independent schools
  These are schools that are independent in their finances and governance. This means that they charge fees for attendance and don’t have to follow the national curriculum.
• Pupil referral units
  These schools provide an education for those with issues that prevent them from attending a mainstream school, either because they have been excluded, are sick or are otherwise unable to attend a mainstream school.
• Sixth-form colleges
  Students between the ages of 16 and 19 attend these colleges to study for qualifications including A-levels and GCSEs.
• Special schools
  Such schools focus on teaching children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and can sometimes specialise further to reflect particular needs, for example autistic spectrum disorders or visual impairment.
• State boarding schools
  These are state-funded schools that provide free education but charge fees for boarding. Most state boarding schools are academies but some are free schools or are run by local councils.
• Voluntary schools
  Voluntary schools are state-funded schools in which a charity or trust has some influence over how the school is run.

Find out about the different routes into teaching.