Catholic schools are Voluntary-aided (VA) schools as defined in the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998. VA schools are 'maintained' schools within the state sector i.e. they are revenue funded by public expenditure through the Local Authority in the same way as Community Schools.

VA schools are eligible for capital funding by grant from the Department for Education (DfE).  These schools are paid on a similar basis to other categories of school, but the governing body of a Va school must usually pay at least 10% of the costs of any capital work i.e. the capital grant from the Department for Education only meets 90% of the cost of any capital work.

Responsibility for work to VA school premises is shared between the school's governing body and the local authority.  In simple terms, the local authority has responsibility for the playing fields and the governing body is liable for all other capital expenditure.