During their academic journeys, students may come across terms that are new and unfamiliar. This can be as early as coming across a multiplication table in Year 2, or as late as coming across different types of secondary schools in Year 6.
Yes, there are different types! A common question students may ask are about grammar schools, or private schools, or even state schools. There can naturally be a lot of confusion for the average Year 6 student who comes across them (and maybe even some for the parent!). Without further ado, what are grammar schools – and are they considered as state schools?
To put it briefly, yes, grammar schools are considered state schools. State schools – or comprehensive schools – are schools funded and ran by the state, where students are typically selected based on proximity to the school. These schools are free, and grammar schools technically fall under the state school label; however, they are more selective and require an examination before a student is admitted.
While this may have briefly answered your question about whether grammar schools are considered state schools, it may be helpful to continue reading to gain a more nuanced view.
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What is a grammar school?
A grammar school is a state-funded school that prioritises places for students based on their academic achievement, rather than proximity to the school or wealth. While they are free to attend, students must rank high on the entrance examination that takes place (typically the Year 6 11 Plus).
This prioritisation of academic achievement leads grammar schools to be extremely selective. In fact, there are only around 163 grammar schools in England alone – compared to the 3,000 secondary schools!
There are no grammar schools in Wales or Scotland, but there are 69 in Ireland. If you would like to find out more, check out this link from the BBC for more information.
A key difference between state schools and grammar schools specifically is that grammar schools tend to be a lot more academically demanding from students. Another difference is that grammar schools may offer a wider variety of options at GCSE and A-Level, some of which might seem rather unusual – such as astronomy or classic civilisation.
Another difference is that grammar schools may offer iGCSEs and IBs (International Baccalaureate), whereas regular state schools don’t really do that.
Many students believe that you have to pay for a place at a grammar school. However, this is not the case – grammar schools are completely free to attend! However, due to both the high success rates from grammar schools (as well as them being completely free), grammar schools are extremely popular and oversubscribed!
Additionally, grammar schools aren’t available in many parts of England, so many students and families are trying to get the same places. In summary, grammar schools are extremely competitive – but for good reason.
If you would like to read more about what a grammar school is, check out this article from Think Student for more information!
What is the 11 Plus exam?
Unlike the typical state school, to get into a grammar students will need to score highly on an entrance exam. As previously mentioned, this will typically be the 11 Plus exam.
To put it briefly, the 11 Plus is the exam that Year 6 students sit in order to see whether they get into a grammar school. They are a way for grammar schools to weed out candidates to see which ones are doing the best academically.
There are 4 main subjects tested on the 11 Plus exam: Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The reasoning, especially, tests the child’s critical thinking and logic – and it is often said to be quite difficult, with a low pass mark.
To read more about the 11 Plus, check out this article from Think Student.
How are grammar schools funded?
Grammar schools are funded by the government, contrary to popular belief. This is the way they are purely funded – all that money is coming straight out of the government’s educational budget. Private schools are the only schools charging fees for a place at their schools.
In this way, grammar schools are very similar to the majority of state schools – the only difference is how selective they are. Actually, grammar schools are the only type of state schools that are selective academically of students. This approach of picking the best minds and developing their learning like that allows grammar schools to have extremely high rates of success.
All state schools receive government and state funding in two parts: revenue and capital. Revenue includes the core funding that every school needs to function, like food budgets and teacher salaries. On the other hand, capital is used for things like building upkeep and other running costs.
While grammar schools provide more high quality education for their pupils, they actually receive less funding than comprehensive schools! Of course, the more deprived the area, the more funding a school receives – but even in those cases, the government still allocates more funding to the comprehensive schools!
However, this is because students in grammar schools tend to come from more advantaged backgrounds. This means less money can be allocated for things like free school meals. Hence, less funding goes to grammar schools.
The government, on the other hand, has pledged to increase funding for a number of grammar schools if they open their doors to more disadvantaged pupils. In some grammar schools, students who don’t have enough money for tutors but still want to enter can get free revision materials for the entrance exams.
Moreover, some sixth form students at certain grammar schools even tutor these kids, so they have a better chance of getting in! To read more about how grammar schools are funded, check out this article from Think Student!
Do grammar schools follow the national curriculum?
Contrary to the popular belief that grammar schools teach differently to achieve high success, they actually still have to follow the national curriculum.
However, the difference comes during A-Levels and GCSEs, where grammar schools may often offer more varied options for students. An example of this may be astronomy, statistics or economics, whereas a regular state school might only offer more standard courses.
Since grammar schools are operated by the state, they have to follow what the state sets out as standard.
In fact, the only schools that aren’t legally required to follow the national curriculum include academies and independent schools (also known as private schools). However, both types of schools are still regularly inspected to make sure they’re up to learning standard for pupils, even if they’ve got the freedom to choose their own curriculum.
If you would like to read more about the national curriculum in grammar schools, check out this article from Think Student!
Grammar schools vs private schools
Private schools, unlike grammar schools, are fee-based – students have to pay money to receive an education. They’re independent of many government regulations and aren’t obliged to follow the national curriculum.
Private schools have the strong advantage of offering opportunities for students in a wide variety of subjects – since their facilities are better funded, they are often a lot better than that of a grammar school’s. This often allows students to gain a better understanding for a subject, while also honing their passion for it.
Private schools also have smaller class sizes than at a state school. This makes the environment a lot easier to learn in, and lets the teacher teach more effectively.
To read more about private schools, check out this article from Think Student.