Faith Schools in England — C of E, Catholic, Islamic & More

What Is It?

Understanding Faith Schools in England

Faith schools — formally known as schools with a religious character — are state-funded schools in England that operate with a religious ethos and are associated with a religious body. They educate over a million pupils. The most common are Church of England and Catholic schools, but there are also Jewish, Islamic, Sikh, Hindu, Methodist, and other denominational schools.

Faith schools can take several legal forms: Voluntary Aided (VA) schools, where the faith body owns the buildings and has significant control including over admissions; Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools, where the LA manages admissions; Foundation schools with a religious character; and Faith Academy schools. VA schools are most associated with faith-based admissions.

A key distinction is admissions: oversubscribed VA faith schools can give priority to applicants of their faith. For example, a Catholic VA school may give priority to baptised Catholic children, requiring a baptism certificate as evidence. All faith schools must follow the National Curriculum, teach Religious Education, and hold acts of collective worship. The religious ethos permeates school culture through assemblies, pastoral care, and values.

Step by Step

How Faith Schools Works

1

Find faith schools near you using our school finder — filter by school type to see faith schools in your area.
2

Check whether the school is a Voluntary Aided (VA) or Voluntary Controlled (VC) school — VA schools have more control over admissions.
3

Read the admissions policy carefully. If the school is oversubscribed, note what criteria determine priority (e.g., baptism certificate, church attendance).
4

Obtain any required supplementary documentation — for Catholic or C of E VA schools, this may include a baptism certificate and a completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF).
5

Apply through your local council's coordinated admissions portal by the published deadline.
6

Accept your place offer or request a copy of the oversubscription criteria to understand the appeal grounds if unsuccessful.

Pros & Considerations

The Advantages & Things to Consider

Advantages

Many faith schools have strong academic records and outstanding Ofsted ratings
A clearly defined ethos and values framework can provide community and stability
Strong parental and community engagement is a common feature
Pastoral care often grounded in principles of compassion and service
Free at all state-funded faith schools

Considerations

Prioritising pupils of one faith in admissions can disadvantage non-faith local families
Gaining a place at an oversubscribed VA school may require active religious practice
The role of faith in curriculum and daily life may not suit all families
Research suggests faith schools can have less socioeconomically diverse intakes
Collective worship requirements may conflict with some families' beliefs or values

Find Faith Schools Schools Near You

Search our database of 52,000+ schools across England. Filter by type, region, local authority, and Ofsted rating.

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Related Guides

Other School Types to Explore

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Faith Schools in England

Can a non-religious child attend a faith school?

Yes — in most cases. Not all faith schools are oversubscribed, so admissions criteria based on faith are not always applied. Even oversubscribed schools must admit non-faith pupils if all criteria have been applied and places remain. In heavily oversubscribed VA schools, non-faith applicants may not receive a place. Check historical admissions data published by the school.

What is the difference between a C of E and a Catholic school?

Both are Christian state schools but differ in admissions and character. Catholic VA schools almost always give strong priority to baptised Catholic children. C of E schools vary more: VA schools may prioritise regular C of E worshippers, while VC schools often operate community admissions. The Catholic Church has historically maintained tighter control over its schools' admissions and curriculum.

Are there Islamic or Jewish state schools in England?

Yes. There is a growing number of Islamic (Muslim) and Jewish state-funded faith schools in England, alongside Sikh and Hindu state schools. These are still far fewer than Christian denominational schools but have grown since 2000, particularly through the free school programme. Many were established as free schools by community groups.

Do faith schools have to teach evolution and RSE?

Yes. All state-funded schools must follow the National Curriculum, including teaching evolution in science. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) became compulsory in all schools in September 2020. Faith schools may deliver RSE in a way reflecting their religious ethos, and parents retain withdrawal rights from some elements of sex education (not the relationships element) until age 15.

How are faith schools inspected?

Faith schools are inspected by Ofsted like all state schools, covering quality of education, behaviour, personal development, and leadership. In addition, C of E schools undergo a SIACS inspection (Statutory Inspection of Anglican & Catholic Schools), and Catholic schools a Section 48 inspection, carried out by diocesan inspectors to assess the school's Christian character and effectiveness of collective worship.

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