Preparatory School (Prep School):
* Funding: Private schools; parents pay fees to cover the cost of tuition, facilities, and staff. Fees can be very high, varying considerably depending on location and prestige.
* Selection: Often selective; they may have entrance exams or interviews to choose their students. They aim for high academic standards.
* Age Range: Typically caters to children from ages 4 or 7 to 13 (Year 8), preparing them for senior independent schools.
* Curriculum: Follows the National Curriculum but often has a broader, more enriched curriculum with a focus on traditional subjects and extracurricular activities. They may offer a more traditional style of teaching.
* Facilities: Usually have well-resourced facilities, smaller class sizes, and a greater range of extracurricular activities.
* Focus: A strong emphasis on academic achievement and preparing pupils for entrance exams to prestigious independent secondary schools.
State School:
* Funding: Publicly funded by the government; tuition is free.
* Selection: Generally non-selective, meaning they accept all children in their catchment area. Some state schools are grammar schools (selective for academic ability) but these are becoming less common. Others are faith schools, admitting children based on religious affiliation.
* Age Range: Varies; primary schools (ages 4-11) and secondary schools (ages 11-18).
* Curriculum: Follows the National Curriculum.
* Facilities: Funding varies across schools; some state schools have excellent resources and facilities, while others may be less well-resourced. Class sizes can be larger than in prep schools.
* Focus: A broad and balanced education, covering the National Curriculum, with a range of extracurricular activities.
In short, prep schools are private, selective, fee-paying schools that primarily prepare children for further education at independent secondary schools. State schools are publicly funded, generally non-selective, and provide free education to all children within their catchment area. There's a significant difference in cost, selection criteria, and often, in resources and facilities.