| AC | Academy, publicly funded independent school offering free education to pupils of all abilities, established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working in partnership with central Government and local education partners. |
| CTC | City Technology CollegeorCity College for the Technology of the Arts, independent all-ability, non fee-paying schools offering pupils the opportunity to study a curriculum geared, with the help of private sector sponsors, towards the world of work. |
| CY | Community School, maintained by the local authority (LA). The LA is the admissions authority - it has main responsibility for deciding arrangements for admitting pupils. |
| CYS | Community Special School, maintained by the LA, which is organised to make special educational provision for pupils with special educational needs (SEN). |
| FD | Foundation School, maintained by the LA. May have a foundation (generally religious) that appoints some - but not most - of the governing body. The governing body is the admissions authority. |
| FDS | Foundation Special School, maintained by the LA, which is specifically organised to make special educational provision for pupils with SEN. |
| FESI | Further Education Sector Institution (sixth form college, FE college, tertiary college). |
| MODFC | College funded by the Ministry of Defence. |
| IND | Registered independent school, normally charging fees |
| IND(SS) | Independent school approved under the Education Act 1996 to take pupils who have statements of special educational needs. |
| NMSS | Non-maintained special school, approved by the Secretary of State under the Education Act 1996, which is specially organised to make special educational provision for pupils with special educational needs. |
| VA | Voluntary Aided school, maintained by the LA, with a foundation (generally religious) that appoints most of the governing body. The governing body is the admissions authority. |
| VC | Voluntary Controlled school, maintained by the LA, with a foundation (generally religious) which appoints some - but not most - of the governing body. The LA is the admissions authority. |
