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Definition of a small school

A small school is defined as any eligible establishment (see list below) which has 100 or fewer children of statutory school age according to the most recent Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) return, as accessed by the National College at the point of the online application. This is the current definition as used by the Department for Education.

The College will measure the number of pupils on roll at the time the application is submitted, using its copy of the Edubase database, which is updated regularly. The College's decision in this regard is final. If the number on roll changes after this point, this will not affect the decision and the subsidy status will not change.

The following state schools and establishments are defined as eligible:

  • community schools and colleges
  • foundation schools and colleges
  • pupil referral units
  • academies
  • free schools
  • local authority nursery schools
  • voluntary-aided schools and colleges
  • voluntary-controlled schools and colleges
  • secure units
  • city technology colleges
  • non-maintained special schools