State schools in Wales, funded and maintained by local authorities under Welsh Government oversight, prioritize inclusive, equitable, and free educational opportunities for all children aged 4–16 (extendable to 19 for additional learning needs), adhering strictly to the national curriculum and key legislation such as the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 and the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018. Community schools, the most common type, offer broad, standardized access with local authority control over admissions, staffing, and resources, ensuring consistent provision of core subjects, Welsh-medium options, and support for pupils with ALN through coordinated local services. Voluntary controlled and voluntary aided schools, often faith-based, integrate religious ethos into teaching while maintaining free access and inclusive policies, with aided schools providing greater flexibility in curriculum emphasis (e.g., religious education) and admissions, enabling tailored spiritual and moral development. Foundation schools and special schools enhance opportunities through specialized governance or targeted support for severe ALN, promoting individualized learning plans and therapeutic interventions, all within a framework that legally mandates equality, safeguarding, and progression pathways to further education or employment.