| Primary schools in the UK are broadly divided into | | | | admissions. Some preparatory schools, which are |
| state managed primary schools and private primary | | | | confined to a particular religion, may also select |
| schools. State primary schools are funded by the | | | | students from all races and religions subject to the |
| government and strictly follow the guidelines laid down | | | | requirement that all students will attend services |
| by the law when it comes to admissions. A vast | | | | irrespective of the religion they follow. Many of them in |
| section of the UK population sends their children to | | | | the UK may give preference to some children during |
| state schools, as these schools provide education free | | | | admission if their siblings are currently studying in the |
| of cost. | | | | same school. |
| Private or independent preparatory schools, on the | | | | The best primary schools in the UK always welcome |
| other hand, charge a fee for providing education as | | | | children from all backgrounds, regardless of their |
| prescribed by the National Curriculum. There are more | | | | religion or race. They treat all applications for admission |
| than 2,500 private schools in the UK. These schools | | | | on merit. It is also important to note that the level of |
| are known to provide better learning facilities when | | | | ability of a child or the existence of any special |
| compared to state run schools. Good private primary | | | | educational needs plays no role during admission to |
| schools offer more individual teaching and have better | | | | most reputed preparatory schools. As long as the |
| pupil-teacher ratios. They give equal emphasis on | | | | school's management feels that the school is capable |
| extra-curricular activities and organised sports to | | | | of meeting a child's special needs, the admission of a |
| ensure overall development of a child. They also | | | | child with special needs would not be a problem. |
| provide longer teaching hours and homework and | | | | Most private primary schools provide the interested |
| have special focus on traditional academic subjects | | | | parents with an information pack about the school. |
| such as maths, classics and modern languages. Today, | | | | Parents are also invited to visit the them and observe |
| more and more parents are willing to send their | | | | the classes and meet the school staff. If the parents |
| children to these private schools instead of non-fee | | | | like the school and decide to send their children to a |
| paying state schools. | | | | particular school, they could even meet the head |
| Admission to these private schools is simpler when | | | | teacher. The registration form needs to be filled in at |
| compared to independent secondary schools where | | | | this stage. A provisional starting date and time is also |
| admissions are based on competitive entrance exams. | | | | agreed upon. |
| Independent primary schools are generally free to | | | | Most private Independent schools London admit |
| select their pupils. These schools are, however, | | | | children at any time during the year depending on the |
| required to strictly follow the general legislation against | | | | availability of places and their parents' wishes. At the |
| discrimination. | | | | time of admission, parents are required to sign an |
| While some of them select students based on the | | | | admissions policy form wherein they undertake to pay |
| financial condition of their parents, there are some that | | | | the school fees, including the initial registration fee and |
| admit children on the basis of their merit. There are | | | | to give a term's notice in the event of withdrawal of |
| also many of them in the UK that give importance to | | | | their child from the school. |
| the musical or sporting talent in children during | | | | |