The Structure of Education from Early Years to Post-Compulsory Education

As part of the every child matters agenda and the Childcare Act 2006 every child aged 3 & 4 is entitled to receive part time early years education of up to 12.5 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year to ensure that they receive up to 2 years free education before reaching school age.

The characteristics of schools & school governance.
All schools are seeking to enforce expectations in terms of meeting the national curriculum. Under the National Curriculum there are four Key Stages to education:
Foundation 4 year olds
Key Stage 1 5 to 7 year olds
Key Stage 2 7 to 11 year olds
Key Stage 3 11 to 14 year olds
Key Stage 4 14 to 16 year olds

Mainstream State Schools
All children in England aged 5 to 16 are entitled to free education at a state school, most go to state schools. Nursery school: 3 to 4 year olds
Reception: 4 year olds
Primary: 5 to 11 year olds (Key Stage 1 & 2)
Secondary: 11 to 16 (Key Stage 3 & 4)
There are 4 main types of state school: Community schools, Foundation & Trust schools, Voluntary aided schools, Voluntary Controlled schools.
Community schools
These are run & owned by the local authority & cover all 4 Key Stages.

Foundation & Trust schools
Foundation schools are run by a governing body which employs the staff and sets the entrance criteria. Land and buildings are owned either by the governing body or by a charitable foundation.

Trust schools are similar, but are run together with an outside body – usually a business or charity – which has formed an educational trust.
Voluntary aided schools
Voluntary-aided schools are religious or faith schools. Just like foundation schools, the governing body employs the staff and sets the entrance criteria. School buildings and land are usually owned by a charity.