Schools in Northamptonshire serve both town and rural communities. All, except special schools, are fully comprehensive and organised within either a two-tier or a three-tier system.
- 38 Secondary Schools
- 1 Upper School
- 2 Middle Schools
- 273 Primary Schools
- 13 Special Schools
- 9 Nursery Schools
The two-tier system operates in all areas of the County except parts of East Northamptonshire, including Kings Cliffe, Oundle and Thrapston, arrangements in Daventry are as in the rest on the county, except that students transfer to the Tertiary College for their 16+ education.
Community Schools
The County Council employs the teachers at these schools and pays the full cost of replacing, improving or enlarging the schools. Religious education and worship must not focus on one particular religion and must be in line with the agreed syllabus.
Voluntary Schools
These schools were originally provided by a voluntary organisation and not by the County Council. Voluntary organisations include the Church of England, the Catholic Church, other churches and educational trusts. There are two types of voluntary schools in Northamptonshire:
- Voluntary Controlled Schools
These were originally provided by the voluntary organisations. Teachers are employed by the County Council. However, education in the faith of a particular church (usually Church of England) must be provided for not more than two periods a week, for those pupils whose parents want it.
- Voluntary Aided Schools
Staff are employed by the governing body. The governors decide what religious education is taught and they must follow the guidelines provided by the Church Foundation (Catholic or Church of England).
Foundation Schools
Most former grant maintained schools are now known as Foundation schools. The County Council funds these schools but staff are employed by the governing body.
The pages in this section have been designed to provide easy access to all the information you need to know about teaching in Northamptonshire.
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