Abbreviations and their meanings

Type of institution

C: County school

maintained by the local education authority (LEA). The LEA is responsible for the school's admissions policy (the policy on offering places to children).

VA: Voluntary aided school

maintained by the LEA, with a (generally religious) foundation which appoints most of the governing body. The governing body is usually responsible for the school's admissions policy.

VC: Voluntary controlled school

maintained by the LEA, with a (generally religious) foundation which appoints some (but not most) of the governing body. The LEA is usually responsible for the school's admissions policy.

SA: Special agreement school

with a foundation (generally religious), which appoints most of the governing body. The governing body is usually responsible for the school's admissions policy.

GM: Self-governing (grant-maintained) school.

The governing body is responsible for the school's admissions policy.

SS: Special school maintained by the LEA,

for pupils with learning difficulties, emotional and behavioural difficulties, physical disabilities or who are deaf or blind.

GMSS: Grant-maintained special school.

The governing body is responsible for the school's admissions policy.

SS: Special school not maintained by the LEA.

CTC: City Technology College or City College for the Technology of the Arts.

IND(SS): Independent school

approved under the Education Act 1993 to take pupils who have statements of special educational needs.

IND:

Other independent school, normally charging fees.

FESI: Further Education Sector Institution

(sixth form college, FE college, tertiary college).

Admissions policy

COMP: Comprehensive

takes all pupils, usually regardless of their ability, aptitude, or whether they have been selected for a place at a selective school.

SEL: Selective

takes pupils depending on their ability or aptitude.

MOD: Modern

takes pupils regardless of their ability or aptitude and who have not been selected for a place at a selective school.

OTHERS