Education in UK
Content
1. Schools, Admissions
You are responsible for registering your child in school and requesting to change schools if you move to a different address.
To register your child to go to a local school – you need to create an account on Citizen Portal.
Follow the instructions on the portal to create a record for your child and apply for a school place.
Please be aware some school may be over subscribed and there may not be a space available le for your child at your first choice of school.
Your child may be placed on a waiting list for your first choice of school but offered a place at another school. Please accept this place in the interim period.
If you are receiving Universal Credit – you can apply for free school meals on the Citizens Portal as well.
Schools usually communicate about children’s progress via online apps or emails. Each school has their own app. If you want to talk to the teacher – you would need to make an appointment beforehand.
2. School Transport
You can check if your child is eligible for free transport to school - School and college transport
The legal responsibility for ensuring that a child attends school rests with the parents. You can request a place at any school for your child, but your child may not necessarily be entitled to free school transport.
It is very important that you check whether your child will be entitled. If they are not, you will need to think carefully about how your child is going to get to the school you prefer for the whole time they will be there.
Your child will be entitled to free transport if they attend the nearest school to your home address and they:
- are of statutory school age
- live more than two miles away by the shortest walking route (for primary)
- live more than three miles away by the shortest walking route (for secondary)
Your child will also be entitled to free school transport to the school designated to serve your home address provided it is still further than the statutory walking distance (see above).
You can find out which school serves your home address at School designated areas.
If you already know that your child is not entitled to free travel you may be able to get transport through our concessionary seats scheme.
College or University transport
If your child travels to college or university - they would need to apply for a free bus pass at their place of study and provide proof of receiving the Universal Credit. They will then be issued with the code to enter at the check – out when purchasing the bus tickets and will only need to pay £1 for the term ticket. This would need to be renewed every term. A QR code will be issued and should be stored on the child’s phone travel app – this is an electronic ticket, which the child would need to present for scanning to the driver upon entering the bus. These tickets could be used on all route busses servicing the area (map is usually provided on the app) at any time that the buses operate in this area.
3. 16+ opportunities
You can speak to your current school and teachers to discuss options most suited to your child’s education standard, needs and ambitions, some of which are listed below:
16 - 18 Education Information, Careers
If you are unemployed and between 16 and 18, you can meet new people, gain new skills and train on our Team programme. Gain employer-recognised qualifications and certificates. Our programmes - The Prince's Trust ; Help with Princes Trust;
Skills Bootcamp South West: Find a Skills Bootcamp
A new project has been launched to support young people in Devon to develop key employability skills and gain an insight into entrepreneurship. Education for people from 16 years old to adults
Exeter college Springboard, Young ESOL Plus (YES plus) in Exeter college
If you are thinking of employment or apprenticeship - it is a good idea to do a Skills health check Skills Health Check ; Skills assessment
You can get an “action Plan” developed for you. To register – you need to contact an adviser, which is possible via chat, email and call back.
If you are thinking of going to university:
STAR and UCAS have teamed up to create a package of support measures to help young refugees apply to university and find the funding they need to be able to learn, including specific information and advice for asylum-seeking and refugee applicants. UCAS also trained STAR volunteers to give 1:1 mentoring and support to applicants from refugee backgrounds.
(STAR Student Action for Refugees)
Information for students affected by the war in Ukraine. Individuals who arrived in the UK through the Ukraine schemes (the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme or the Ukraine Extension Scheme) are normally eligible for student loans and home fee status. Whether you qualify for student finance also depends on your university or college, your course, if you have studied a higher education course before, and your age. Read more.
You may also be eligible for a university scholarship. Where scholarships explicitly include individuals on the Ukraine schemes, we have added this to the STAR scholarships list. If you are unsure, contact the universities to find out if your application will be considered. A full list of scholarship programmes for refugees and people seeking asylum can be found on the STAR website, together with a how-to guide for applications. STAR’s Access to University pages also have links to pre-university courses and to further support from other organisations in the sector.
4. Adult Education
English as foreign language (ESOL)
Upskilling and training
Upskilling means learning new and enhanced skills that relate to your current role. Think about it as “levelling up” your skills.
Often, you’ll deepen your knowledge about your role and industry as you gain more experience. Upskilling is typically a more intentional learning process where you’ll gain exposure to that deeper knowledge sooner through skills development courses, certifications, or mentorship programs.
We have complied a PDF listing training and up skilling opportunities.