Guidance
Annex A - Centre Types Codes
Updated 1 May 2026
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| Centre Type Code | Centre Type Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Free school | Free schools are DfE-registered and funded by the government but are not run by the local authority. They’re ‘all-ability’ schools, so cannot use academic selection processes like a grammar school. They do not have to follow the national curriculum. Special schools and PRUs/alternative provision with free school status should also use this category, as should University Technical Colleges and studio schools. |
| 1 | LA maintained secondary comprehensive schools | LA maintained secondary comprehensive schools are DfE-registered and state-funded schools for children of all abilities above the age of 11. They do not select their intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. Foundation schools, community schools and voluntary-aided schools are included in this category. LA maintained special schools and PRUs/alternative provision should also use this category. |
| 2 | Grammar schools | Grammar schools are DfE-registered and state-funded schools that admit students above the age of 11 on the basis of academic selection criteria. They may be run by the local authority, a foundation body or an academy trust. |
| 3 | Secondary modern schools | Secondary modern schools are DfE-registered non-selective schools that recruit students above the age of 11 from the same neighbourhood as a grammar school. They may be run by the local authority, a foundation body or an academy trust. |
| 4 | Independent or private school including city technology colleges (CTCs) | Independent schools, also referred to as private schools, are DfE-registered but are not maintained by a local authority or state-funded, and provide full-time education (a) for five or more pupils of compulsory school age or (b) for at least one pupil of that age who is looked after by a local authority (within the meaning of section 22 of the Children Act 1989) or has a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan. City Technology Colleges and independent special schools should use this category. Independent establishments that are not DfE-registered should use the ‘Other’ category (code 8). |
| 5 | Further education establishment | Further education establishments are DfE-registered and state-funded, offering study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education (that is, not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree). Courses range from basic English and maths to Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and include technical and applied qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds. |
| 6 | Sixth form college | Sixth form colleges are DfE-registered and state funded, offering qualifications to students between the ages of 16 and 19, typically to allow them to progress to higher education. Sixth forms which are attached to a school should not use this category. |
| 7 | n/a | No longer in use. Centres that previously used this category should select the ‘further education establishment’ category (code 5). |
| 8 | Other | This should be used by establishments for which the other categories do not apply. This includes, but is not exclusive to, prison/hospital schools, language schools, tutorials centres, higher education institutions, providers providing part-time teaching only and private examination centres accepting private candidates who they have not taught. Please note that all non-DfE registered centres should use this category. |
| 9 | Academies | Academies are DfE-registered and receive funding directly from the government and are run by an academy trust. Academies do not charge fees. |