Parents will want to ensure the best for their child and to that end the Government provides formal education in order to meet this need. You may find the following information helpful in making the necessary choices about the most appropriate education for your child’s needs or if you have encountered any problems or if you are looking for alternative choices.
Nursery and pre-school education
All children aged three and four years old are eligible for a free part-time pre-school place. Local authorities have a duty to ensure that sufficient places are available for children whose parents want them to attend. It starts from the beginning of the school term immediately after the child’s third birthday and will continue until they are eligible to start primary school. They are entitled to 475 hours per year of pre-school education. Pre-school education is not compulsory although it is thought the benefits help most children to move into full time education more easily.
The provision of pre-school education is in the form of nursery classes in primary schools and nursery schools. As sufficient places may not be available in these schools, the Local Authority makes alternative options available to meet demands which increase choice for parents. They are all monitored to ensure best practice and promote learning by play. Options include:
- Local Authority nursery schools and classes
- Child and family centres run by social work departments
- Private day nurseries
- Nursery classes in independent schools
- Community childcare centres
- Playgroups
- College, University or Workplace nurseries.
As with everything, some nursery schools will be more popular than others and if you wanted a particular nursery placement you should consider putting your child’s name on the appropriate list as soon as possible from the age of 2 years.
Your choice of school for a child aged between 5-16 years
Choosing your child’s school is one of most important decisions you make on their behalf. It may not always be a straightforward process and it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. To enable you to make informed choice you will need to research and plan well ahead of any application deadline dates.
Local authorities must provide a free school education for all 5 – 16 year olds who live in their area. Every child must start school at the beginning of the school year after they are 5, at the latest. Your council will normally offer a place to your child at the school in whose ‘catchment area’ you live; however parents have the right to express a preference for a particular school that they want their child to attend and if possible the Council have a duty to grant the request. This is known as a ‘Place Request’. However, the size of the school, the current roll and number of children who already live in the catchment area and other factors will affect the Councils ability to grant a placing request. It is best to plan ahead and research different schools taking into account application deadline dates.
Schools make special arrangements to welcome visitors and it is advisable to find out what these are as visiting the school will give you a better insight. Local papers often publish information about local schools and enrolment dates. Take advantage of the fact that Councils are required to publish specific information about their schools and request the information about the schools you may be interested in.
There are several different types of school and the duties and responsibilities in relation to a pupil’s education will depend upon the type of school s/he is attending. The two main categories of schools are either Local Education Authority schools or Independent.
Schools provided by the education authority include:
- Local schools – Children living within a catchment area are normally provided with a place at the school serving that area.
- Denominational Schools – Provided by the Educational Authority and are associated with a religious denomination.
- Special Schools – Provided by the Education Authority (or sometimes by an Independent Charitable Organisation) and providing specific or severe additional support needs.
- Independent schools are funded from fees only or from both fees and charitable donations.
If you would like your child to be taught in the Gaelic language contact your local authority for details of the Gaelic-medium education provision in your area.
Appealing a decision if your ‘place request’ is denied
The Local Authority will give you the reason for refusal in writing and advise you of your right to appeal against the decision. You can then:-
- Reconsider your choice of school
- Discuss the decision with the education authority
- Appeal against the decision.
If you decide to appeal you need to apply to the Education Authority within 28 days of being refused. An appeal committee will then arrange a date to consider your request for a place.
If your appeal is upheld the education authority is bound by the committee’s decision and they will provide a place at your chosen school
If unsuccessful you will need to look for another school. You should contact your Education Authority if you experience any difficulties as they have a duty to offer your child a school place.
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the committee you can appeal to the Sheriff by making a “summary application” and paying the appropriate fee. The Sheriff will hear the case in private and can overturn the decision if it believes it is contrary to the law or it is unreasonable to do so. The Sheriff’s decision is final.
If you applied to an independent school there may be no right of appeal. If there is, it will be decided by the governing body of the school.
You may find the following web sites useful offering more detailed information on this topic.
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