What is the difference between 'community' schools and 'voluntary funded' schools?

[leoleo]

Currently looking at schools for DS and have come across these terms.
Thank you.

Community schools are usually controlled by the LA and have their admission criteria set by them. Voluntary Controlled and Voluntary Aided schools usually have a religious affiliation (normally CofE or Catholic). I think for VC schools the authority still sets the admission criteria but I think for VA schools they normally set their own. There are I think some differences between VC schools and VA about who owns the site (ie the church/LA). In all cases the schools still come under the responsibility of the LA. I've probly missed something wrong but hopefully that is the gist of it.....

Our local school is a CofE aided school. I can't remember all the details but a good proportion of governors are selected and appointed by the church and I believe the head governor has the task of selecting the head. The school, being aided by the church, do a lot of churchy stuff.

If you google it you should find some more info.

Pelvic flawed is right; voluntary aided schools set their own admission criteria, and the teaching staff are actually employed by the governing body. The governing body also have to provide a proportion of the school's funding. Voluntary controlled have their admission criteria set by the LA - I think it's only VA schools that have church attendance criteria and suchlike, but I'm not 100% sure. Certainly our primary school is VC and has normal admission criteria, no different to a community/non-faith school.

The governing body of a VC school would still select a new head though - they just would't actually employ him/her.

(apologies for any missig 'n's, I think there is a foreign body under the keyboard)

Thank you.
We are not Catholic but I am considering sending ds to our local Catholic primary school.
They have said if he has gone to the nursery (which I am currently applying for) then he may get a place.
Is this a good idea or not? Considering he is not Catholic. (I am agnostic.) Thank you.

I would check out exactly what their admission criteria is - often they have a list of circumstances priortised. Where I live if you want to get into a Catholic school you normally have to be baptised/practicing Catholic (though they will consider other Christian denominations though priority normally goes to Catholics) - it also depends many overall applicants they have and how many meet the first, second third criteria. In our area those not practicing Cathlolics/Christians are probably the last criteria to be admitted - however it many be different in yours so I would check out exactly their admission criteria.

I should add all our RC schools are VA/Trust hence why they expect the child to be Catholic/Christian - if the school is VC the situtation will probably based on the cathcment area.