Some help PLEASE!

We will be moving to Cambridgeshire in February and need to look into schools for our 5 and 4 year olds. I am really confused already about public/privat schools and independant schools and so on... Can anyone shed some light on all this for me? 

Also are most schoold religious?

Thank You

Independent, public = US private schools (fee paying schools)
Comprehensive = US state run schools

Some schools are religious (connected with a local church, perhaps), but most all schools seem to teach some form of religious studies which is a broader topic covering most major religions rather than specialising in one.  Religious schools could be either state run or private.

Do you know where in Cambridgeshire you are moving?  If you have a specific location, we might be able to find your local council's website which may have more information on schools in your area.

My 9 year old son is starting independent school in Jan. My 6 year old son goes to Catholic school. I think if the school isnt specifically "Catholic" then its considered "Church of England". I believe Church of England school still touch a bit on religion but its not a religious school.

For 4 and 5 year olds...

Independent schools (fee paying) are called prep schools, or pre-prep.  Technically, the age is pre-prep, but many prep schools have pre-prep departments.

In the maintained sector (non fee paying). it would be an infant school (catering for children from 4 - 7) or a primary school (4 - 11).  A junior school caters from 7 - 11 year olds, so the natural progression from an infant school.

All schools have a Religious Education lessons and, unless it's a private school specifically providing education for non-Christians, there will be regular assemblies (3 or 4 times a week) of a "broadly Christian nature".  Some schools are affiliated with the local Church of England church, but there is often not much difference between these and non-church aided schools (the vicar will be on the governing body and there may be school events in the church - for example, a carol service or harvest thanksgiving).  In Roman Catholic schools (still in the maintained sector), there will be some catechism and mass.