Which statement about state-funded comprehensive schools is true?

• A. They are funded by local authorities and follow the national curriculum
• B. They charge tuition fees
• C. They are private and not publicly inspected
• D. They are state-funded, free of charge, and independent of local authority control

Answer: (D)

State-funded schools get their money from the government and don’t charge pupils tuition. Today, many comprehensive schools operate as academies, which means they are funded by the state but run independently of local authorities, giving them more autonomy while still being publicly funded. This combination—state funding, no fees, and independence from local authority control—is what makes the statement true. The other options imply tuition fees, private status, or no public inspection, which doesn’t describe state-funded comprehensives.