School types

This page explains what the different school types mean. To see a definition for each school type in Southampton, select a heading in the box below.

Mixed and single sex schools

Nearly all of the schools in Southampton are mixed, which means that they admit pupils from both sexes. There are only two single sex schools in the city, these are:

St Anne's Catholic School - girls
St George Catholic College - boys

Specialist status

All of the city’s secondary schools have ‘specialist school’ status.

The specialist schools programme helps schools, in partnership with private sector sponsors and supported by additional Government funding, to establish distinctive identities through their chosen specialisms.

Specialist schools meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and teach a broad and balanced curriculum to all students but have a special focus on their chosen subject area.

To see what the specialisms are for each secondary school is the city, see our school list and map page.

School types in Southampton (click on each heading for more information)

1. Community schools

These are schools for which Southampton City Council as the Local Authority (LA) is wholly responsible. Most Southampton schools are community schools.

2. Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools

These are schools originally set up by a voluntary organisation, usually one of the main Christian churches, the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church.

All of the VC schools in Southampton were founded by the Church of England. Responsibility for VC schools is shared by the LA and the Winchester Diocese.

These schools have foundation governors including the parish priest, in order to preserve their Christian character.

3. Foundation / Trust schools

These are schools supported by a Foundation or Trust. The governors of the school decide on admissions to the school, not the LA.

4. Voluntary Aided (VA) schools

These are schools originally set up by a voluntary organisation, usually one of the two main Christian churches, the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church.

These schools have kept many more of their links with the original foundation, which will have a role in the financial provision for the school. In these schools the LA’s role is slightly different but still important.