Church schools
Until the Elementary Education Act of 1870, most people who received a free education did so at the hands of the Church. Despite state involvement dating from this time, religious bodies such as the Church of England and the Catholic Church still play a major role in the education of children in this country.
Priority for admission to church schools is given to children whose parents are active members of the church community. Unless you are especially active within your community your involvement will have to be verified by an appropriate church authority - but only if you are claiming this as grounds for preferential treatment. (If your attendance at church is limited to weddings and funerals you will not be considered to be an active member of your local church community.)
In addition to Church of England and Catholic schools, the range of religious schools in the UK includes institutions set up by the Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Methodist faiths, although most are in the secondary sector.
Special schools
Children who are deemed to have special educational needs are, generally, educated within mainstream primary schools. (The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 protects the right of children with special needs to be taught in mainstream classes.) The label 'special needs' is applied to children who might benefit from extra attention and tuition, including those children who are especially gifted in some way.
Local education authorities should follow a government code of practice that determines how children with special needs are identified, assessed and monitored. Similarly, state schools should publish details of their special needs policies. If your child is deemed to have special needs you can ask for a copy of this policy document.
Independent primary schools
Fee-charging independent primary schools are divided according to age. Pre-preparatory schools take children between the ages of two and seven. Preparatory ('prep') schools take children between the ages of seven and 11 or 13. The final two years at the school are spent, as the name suggests, preparing for the Common Entrance Examination, which is a standard requirement for admittance to most independent secondary schools.
Preparatory schools are able to offer much better pupil/teacher ratios, but at a cost. Fees per term range from around £600 to over £1,000 for pupils aged two to seven and from around £1,000 to £2,500 for pupils aged seven to 13. Boarding fees for seven- to 13-year-olds will add at least another £1,000 to the cost of each term. Most schools offer a limited number of scholarships for bright or gifted pupils, but inevitably there is a great deal of competition for these places.
The Independent Schools Information Service provides details on fees and entry requirements for independent schools in the UK.
Montessori schools
The private sector offers a number of interesting alternatives for primary age children. First established in 1907, Montessori schools generally take children from the age of four. Under the guidance of teachers, who are called directors, children at Montessori schools are free to develop at a pace that suits them and are encouraged to believe that learning is a natural yet exciting process. Information on how and when to apply to a Montessori school in your area can be found on their website or by emailing information@montessorieducationuk.org
Steiner schools
Founded on principles laid down by philosopher and educationalist Rudolf Steiner, Steiner schools take children from as young as three. These schools have an international flavour and as such tend to teach foreign languages from an early age. Their stated aim is to equip young people to shape the future rather than simply respond to events around them. For further information on how to find, and apply for, a Steiner school, go to their website or contact the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship via email at mail@waldorf.compulink.co.uk