Voluntary controlled schools are a kind of "maintained school", meaning that they are funded by central government via the local authority, and do not charge fees to students.
The land and buildings are typically owned by a charitable foundation, which also appoints about a quarter of the school governors.
Specific exemptions from Section 85 of the Equality Act 2010 enables VC faith schools to use faith criteria in prioritising pupils for admission to the schools.
[1] Pupils at voluntary controlled schools follow the National Curriculum.
[2][3][4] Prior to the Education Act 1944, voluntary schools were those associated with a foundation, usually a religious group.