There are six types of school within Torbay:

Community Schools and Community Special Schools

These are schools that are provided by the Local Authority (LA), which owns the buildings and is responsible for structural and external maintenance. We employ the staff on the recommendation of the governing body and control the admission of pupils.

Special schools are community schools that educate children with specific needs.

Voluntary Controlled Schools

These schools were originally provided by a voluntary body and are run very like community schools except there are differences in responsibilities for religious education and collective worship. The governing body includes representation from the voluntary body, which in Torbay is the local church. The church or voluntary organisation trustees own the school site, but the school is controlled and funded by us.

Voluntary Aided Schools

These schools were set up by a voluntary body (usually a church) that retains ownership of the buildings and is responsible for all external repairs and maintenance. They receive funding for staff and running costs from us. The voluntary body has a majority on the governing body. The governing body is the employer of the staff, draws up an admissions policy and decides which children should be admitted to the school.

Foundation Schools

These schools were formerly grant-maintained schools but from 1999 returned to the control of the LA, from which they receive their funding. The governing body is the employer of the staff, draws up an admissions policy and decides which children should be admitted to the school.

Academies

Academies are publicly funded, independent schools that have greater freedom to innovate and raise standards and are not under our control. The governing body is the employer of staff and can set their own pay and conditions for staff. It draws up an admissions policy and makes decisions on admissions. Academies have greater freedom around the curriculum delivery and length of the school day and terms. They receive their funding directly from the Education Funding Agency at the same level of per-pupil funding as they would receive from us as a maintained school, plus additions to cover services that are no longer provided for them by us.

Studio Schools

Studio schools are new state-funded schools providing innovative education for 14-19 year olds where study is combined with work placements. Studio Schools are set up with the backing of local businesses and employers.