A voluntary controlled school (VC school) is a state-funded school in
England and Wales
England and Wales () is one of the three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. The substantive law of the jurisdiction is Eng ...
in which a
foundation
Foundation may refer to:
* Foundation (nonprofit), a type of charitable organization
** Foundation (United States law), a type of charitable organization in the U.S.
** Private foundation, a charitable organization that, while serving a good cause ...
or
trust
Trust often refers to:
* Trust (social science), confidence in or dependence on a person or quality
It may also refer to:
Business and law
* Trust law, a body of law under which one person holds property for the benefit of another
* Trust (bus ...
(usually a Christian denomination) has some formal influence in the running of the school. Such schools have less autonomy than
voluntary aided school
A voluntary aided school (VA school) is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (usually a religious organisation), contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school. In ...
s, in which the foundation pays part of any building costs.
Characteristics
Voluntary controlled schools are a kind of "maintained school", meaning that they are funded by central government via the local authority, and do not charge fees to students. The majority are also
faith school
A faith school is a school in the United Kingdom that teaches a general curriculum but which has a particular religious character or formal links with a religious or faith-based organisation. The term is most commonly applied to state-funded f ...
s.
The land and buildings are typically owned by a charitable foundation, which also appoints about a quarter of the
school governor
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, school governors are the overseers of a school. In state schools, they have three main functions:
*Giving the school a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction
*Holding the headteacher to account for the ...
s.
However, the local authority employs the school's staff and has primary responsibility for the school's admission arrangements. Specific exemptions from Section 85 of the
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom passed during the Brown ministry with the primary purpose of consolidating, updating and supplementing the numerous prior Acts and Regulations, that formed the basis of anti-d ...
enables VC faith schools to use faith criteria in prioritising pupils for admission to the schools.
Pupils at voluntary controlled schools follow the
National Curriculum A national curriculum is a common programme of study in schools that is designed to ensure nationwide uniformity of content and standards in education. It is usually legislated by the national government, possibly in consultation with state or other ...
.
History
Prior to the
Education Act 1944, voluntary schools were those associated with a foundation, usually a religious group. That Act imposed higher standards on school facilities, and offered voluntary schools a choice in funding the costs this would incur.
* Voluntary controlled schools would have all their costs met by the state, but would be controlled by the
local education authority.
*
Voluntary aided school
A voluntary aided school (VA school) is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (usually a religious organisation), contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school. In ...
s would have all of their running costs met by the State, but their capital costs would only be partially state funded, with the foundation retaining greater influence over the school.
The
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
chose to retain control of its schools, while more than half of
Church of England
The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britai ...
schools became voluntary controlled.
By 2008, in England, approximately 15% of primary schools were voluntary controlled, almost all of them associated with the Church of England. Only 3% of secondary schools were voluntary controlled, of which about half were Church of England schools.
In 2012, the
Fair Admissions Campaign
The Fair Admissions Campaign aims to abolish the faith-based selection of pupils in state funded schools in England and Wales.
Aims
The Fair Admissions Campaign aims to open all state funded schools in England and Wales to all pupils regardless ...
began to encourage local authorities to stop using faith criteria in admissions policies for VC schools.
See also
*
Voluntary aided school
A voluntary aided school (VA school) is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (usually a religious organisation), contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school. In ...
*
State-funded schools (England)
*
Education in Wales
This article provides an overview of education in Wales from early childhood education, early childhood to university and adult education, adult skills. Largely state funded and free-at-the-point-of-use at a primary school, primary and secondary ...
*
Education in Northern Ireland
Education in Northern Ireland differs from education systems elsewhere in the United Kingdom (although it is relatively similar to Wales), but is similar to the Republic of Ireland in sharing in the development of the ''national school'' syste ...
*
References
State schools in the United Kingdom
Voluntary controlled
A voluntary controlled school (VC school) is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (usually a Christian denomination) has some formal influence in the running of the school. Such schools have less autonomy than ...
Education in England
Education in Northern Ireland
Education in Wales
Education finance in the United Kingdom
Public education in the United Kingdom
Religious schools in the United Kingdom
Schools in England
Schools in Northern Ireland
Schools in Wales
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