National Curriculum in England 英格蘭國家課程

Source: https://www.gov.uk/types-of-school/private-schools

TYPES of Schools 學校類型

All children in England between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school. State schools receive funding through their local authority or directly from the government. The most common ones are: 

英格蘭所有5至16歲的兒童都有權在公立學校免費接受教育, 學校通過地方當局或直接從政府獲得資金。 最常見的是：

1. Community schools, which are sometimes called local authority maintained schools and a type of state-funded school. They are not influenced by business or religious groups and follow the national curriculum. 社區學校。 他們不受商業或宗教團體的影響，並遵循國家課程

2. Foundation schools and voluntary schools, which are funded by the local authority but have more freedom to change the way they do things  sometimes they are supported by representatives from religious groups. 基楚學校和志願學校由地方政府資助，但在改變辦事方式方面有更大的自由，有時會得到宗教團體代表的支持。

3. Academies and free schools, which are run by not-for-profit academy trusts, are independent from the local authority - they have more freedom to change how they run things and can follow a different curriculum. 由非牟利性學術信託基金管理的學院和免費學校獨立於地方政府-他們擁有更大的自由來改變自己的辦事方式並可以遵循不同的課程

4. Grammar schools, which can be run by the local authority, a foundation body or an academy trust. they select their pupils based on academic ability and there is a test to get in. (Sources from https://www.gov.uk/types-of-school) 語法學校，可以由地方當局，基金會機構或學術機構託管。 他們根據學習能力選擇學生，並進行一項入學考試。

5. State boarding schools provide free education but charge fees for boarding. Most state boarding schools are academies, some are free schools and some are run by local authorities. State boarding schools give priority to children who have a particular need to board and will assess children’s suitability for boarding. Charities such as Buttle UK or the Royal National Children’s Foundation can sometimes help with the cost of boarding.

6. Private schools (also known as ‘independent schools’) charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum. All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.

7. Faith schools have to follow the national curriculum, but they can choose what they teach in religious studies. Faith schools may have different admissions criteria and staffing policies to state schools, although anyone can apply for a place.

1. The King Alfred School – Golders Green

How to Apply – Each child will need to undergo an informal assessment process, so early registration is a good idea for all age groups. Complete an application former the point of entry you need and pay a £100 refundable deposit. Your child’s name is then put on the waiting list and you will be contacted nearer the time for assessment. 

General Waiting Time – 2 years minimum

Fees – Currently £5546 per team for reception, £6390 per team for ages 7 to 10 years, and £6686 for 11 to 18 years of age.

The King Alfred School is one of the most prestigious schools in central London and accepts boys and girls from reception age (4 years) until sixth form (18 years). Consistently ranking high with regards to exam results and academic excellence, King Alfred School encouraged applications from all children, however academically gifted children are preferred.

The school holds 650 children at any one time and class sizes are kept as low as possible, to ensure teachers have enough time to spend with individual children who may be struggling. Again, this is something your governess can help with, tutoring your child out of school hours in any subjects which they may not be so naturally gifted in. 

There are three main entry points for the school, the first at age 4 for reception, the second at age 11 for year 7 secondary education and then again at age 16 for sixth form. 

King Alfred School was founded in 1898, and its ethos centres around the fact that every child is unique and should therefore be treated such. The school focuses on learning not only in the classroom but outside of it too, with a large amount of focus on morality and independence. This is also a school which attracts several big names, with the Beckhams having considered this school for their children. 

2. St Christina’s School – Primrose Hill 

How to Apply – Complete the application form for register your interest and pay a registration fee of £100. Upon an offer of a place at St Christina’s you will be expected to pay a refundable deposit of £2000, which will be returned upon your child leaving the school. 

General Waiting Time – The school is often oversubscribed so registering shortly after birth is recommended for reception years. Offers are usually made two years in advance. 

Fees – £4750 per term

St Christina’s in Primrose hill is a Catholic school for both boys and girls aged between 3 to 11 years. It is a small school, with just 209 students at any one time, which means class sizes are small and teachers are able to dedicate time to each student. There arena specific academical requirements for children registering their interest with St Christina’s however it is a school which expects academic excellence from its students. 

This is also a school which is extremely popular with affluent families within the area. It’s best to register your child shortly after birth if you’re serious about them attending St Christina’s. The school also has a strict and traditional dress code/uniform in place, so this is also something to consider. 

St Christina’s School was founded in 1949 and has based its core statement on fa family feel, to support children throughout their education. The school has a friendly atmosphere, which would suit younger children who expect to build their education upwards. 

3. Arnold House School – St John’s Wood

How to Apply – You will need to register via application form at some point between your child’s 1st and 2nd birthday. There is a registration fee of £100 to be paid upon registration and you will then be invited to an open evening nearer theme of your child’s proposed admission. 

General Waiting Time – 2.5 years. Register your interest as early as possible as this school is always oversubscribed.

Fees – Currently £6782 per term, including lunch. 

Arnold House School is an extremely popular boy’s school for students aged between 5 to 14 years of age. The school has 272 students at any one time, again, with small class sizes for focus and the ability to tutor children in a more personalised manner. However, a governess is also a great addition to help your child recap on any subjects they may be struggling with. 

In order to obtain a place at Arnold House School, an informal assessment is undertaken and your child’s nursery will also be asked for confidential reports to assess your child’s suitability. Arnold House School focuses on academic excellence from the first year onwards. The school’s mottos are “conquer we shall” and focuses on building resilience and independence. The school also has a specific coat of arms to denote its uniqueness and ranking amongst the best schools in central London, with a history dating back to 1905.

There is only one point of entry for this school, at 5 years upwards. Bear in mind that this school is always over-subscribed so competition for places is fierce. 

4. Kensington Preparatory School – Fulham 

How to Apply – Apply via application form at any point up to the January prior to your child wishing to begin school. You will also need to pay a registration fee.

General Waiting Time – 1 year

Fees – £5955 per term plus £298 per term for compulsory lunches

Despite the name, Kensington Prep School is not actually in Kensington anymore, having moved from the first sit in 1997. It is now sited in Fulham, surrounded by green land which students can run around in. The school was originally founded in 1873 and has a rich history of focusing not only on academia but also a large programme of extra curricular activities, including music and languages. 

Kensington Prep School is a girls school, for ages 4 to 11 years, with two entry points, one at 4 years and one at 7 years. Most girls enter the school for reception and move up from there, however there are occasional places which become available afterwards. The school currently has around 290 girls and has relatively small class sizes, to ensure teachers can focus their attention on individual students. 

Most girls who attend this school learn to play at least one musical instrument and most also enter the choir or the orchestra.

Assessments for places begin in the January prior to the September intake and children will attend the school and spend time with teachers. At this point, they’re looking for problem solving expertise and imagination, rather than academia, however this school has a very high performance record for academic subjects. 

5. North Bridge House Preparatory School – Regents Park

How to Apply – Complete the application form at least one year before you intend your child to attend the school, together with an application form of £150. 

General Waiting Time – 1 year

Fees – £6425 per term, plus £360 compulsory lunch fees

North Bridge House Prep School is one of the most popular within the Regent’s Park area and central London overall. This is a school for both boys and girls, aged between 7 to 13 years of age. The school currently has 486 students, with relatively small classes sizes. The school does however focus on academic excellence and as a result, children who can show a particular talent for a core subject are more likely to be accepted. 

Students will need to have an informal interview in order to be admitted to North Bridge House Prep School, as well as an assessment in both maths and English, to demonstrate academic competence. 

North Bridge House Prep School was originally founded in 1939, however it has moved around the central London area throughout the years, originally found in St John’s Wood. Having grown in size, the school aims to serve the local community, for children who demonstrate academic excellence, whilst also helping them to develop independence and confidence in their talents.