|
|
|
What is a Nursery Class or School? |
|
A Nursery Class is part of a Primary School or Early Years Centre.
A Nursery School is a separate establishment that is only used by children under five years old.
They both come under the Local Authority.
They provide a range of structured educational experiences based on learning through play, which has been developed for pre-school facilities.
What is the staffing and class sizes of nursery classes and schools?Nursery classes and schools are staffed by qualified teachers and qualified assistants / nursery nurses. The staffing ratio is 1 adult to 13 children, with classes having up to 26 children.
What regulations and inspections do nursery classes and schools have to meet?Nursery classes and schools must meet the requirements of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996, the buildings being designed to be used as schools.
Nursery classes and schools will be inspected as part of the regular inspections carried out by OFSTED - inspection reports can be read by going to the appropriate school.
How often will my child attend nursery classes?In most nursery classes and schools children attend five half-days each week during school term. Times are approximately 9.00 to 11.30am and 12.45 to 3.15pm each day.
At what age can my child start attending a nursery class?Nursery provision is intended for pre-school children of 3 and 4 years old, with 4 year olds given priority.
What is the admission policy for nursery classes and schools?Each nursery class or school will have a policy for admitting children to their nursery which should comply with the LA's suggested Nursery Policy. You can ask to see a copy at the school or from the Admission Section. This will tell you the arrangements for giving places to children in the nursery class or school.
Church schools have their own criteria for admissions; the school will be able to give you details.
You do not have a legal right to appeal if your child is refused a nursery place.
What does it cost to attend a nursery class or school?State schools cannot charge for Education, there may however, be a small charge for snacks.
How do I find a nursery class or school? All primary schools in Stockton Borough Council have nurseries attached. Click here for the full list of local Primary Schools. Ask friends and neighbours about local provision. Contact Stockton on Tees Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership for information on private providers, and in connection with nursery grants for 3 and 4 year olds..
How do I apply for a place at a nursery class or school?Contact the Headteacher of the school whose nursery class you would like your child to attend, who will then inform you by letter if a place is available for your child.
If the school is unable to offer your child a place, you may wish to consider another school and contact them directly. If there are no places available in a nearby school, contact the Childcare Information Service for assisted places in approved private providers.
Is continuity from nursery to primary schools automatic?Children may not automatically transfer to a place in the same primary school, even if they have a place in the nursery class.
Parents must still apply for a place for their child in the primary school, as would parents of children who had not been able to attend the nursery class.
What can I do if I am not happy about things in the nursery class or school?Discuss any difficulties with the Nursery teacher. If you are still unable to resolve your difficulties follow the school's Complaints Procedure.
We are moving house - should I transfer my child to another school?It is generally in a child's best interest to remain at the same school. If this is not practical, you should speak to the headteacher of your current school and request a transfer form. If your child is approaching the end of primary education, you should consider whether it is possible to time your house move to avoid unnecessary disruption.
My child is unhappy - shall I transfer to another school?Children may be unhappy at school for a number of reasons. Usually this is temporary and can be easily solved. They may have fallen out with friends or be struggling with work, occasionally they may be bullied.
Before making any decisions it is important/vital to talk to the class teacher and headteacher of the school. Often problems can be overcome and changing schools is not always the answer.
Each school has an Education Social Worker who will be happy to discuss any problems with you.
How does the fact that my child has special needs effect their transferring between schools?All schools are resourced in the same way for special needs; unless your child has a statement of SEN which directs them to attend a particular school transferring schools may not be the solution to their difficulties. Any issues regarding your child's special needs should be discussed with the Head teacher at the school.
Am I guaranteed a place at the school I want?No. All schools have a limit to the number of children they can take, and if the school is full an alternative school is offered, with the right to appeal.
How do I apply to transfer my child to another school?If all other avenues have been explored, you can apply for a transfer. You will need to discuss the proposed transfer with your child's headteacher and contact the School Admission Section on 01642 526605 or schooladmissions@stockton.gov.uk.
What if I want to transfer my child to a Church school (Voluntary Aided)?If you have discussed the transfer with your child's current headteacher, you should approach the school of your preference directly. If the school has no places available, you do have the right to appeal
Can I discuss a transferring my child to another school with the Education Department?Yes. The Admissions Section.
How can I appeal against a primary or secondary school placement? For Stockton on Tees ResidentsIf it has not been possible to offer you a place at your preferred school you will be given the right to appeal in the letter you receive notifiying you of the decision and maybe offered an alternative or asked to contact us regarding another placement.
For Non-Stockton on Tees ResidentsIf it has not been possible to offer you a place at your preferred school you may wish to discuss availability at other Stockton on Tees schools. Alternatively you should contact your home Local Authority who is required to offer you a place.
If, however, you wish to appeal against the decision, you must complete an appeals form and send it to the Director of Children Education and Social Care within the timescale given in your refusal letter. The form should be completed in ink or typed as it will be copied and sent to each member of the Independent Appeals Panel prior to the hearing.
You may submit appeals for more than one school. Each appeal will be considered separately.
Should I complete a separate form for each primary or secondary school appeal?It is not necessary to complete separate forms for each, but if your reasons for wanting one school are different from those for another school, you may wish to put them on separate sheets. Please state clearly, the name of the school, along with your reasons for wanting a place there.
What information should I provide for primary or secondary school appeal?The Independent Appeal Panel needs to know all your reasons for preferring a school and
If you have any evidence to support your appeal, please send a copy with your form to:
The Admissions Section, Children Education and Social Care, Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1XE.
The date of the hearing will be arranged by an officer of the Democratic Services Unit, who will give you at least 14 days notice in writing of the date and time of the appeal which will be held at the Town Hall, Stockton or the Education Centre, Norton.
You will be sent a copy of a statement of the reasons for the refusal of a place at your preferred school, together with your letter of appeal and other papers, at least 7 days before the date of the appeal hearing.
Who will hear the primary or secondary school appeal?The Independent Appeals Panel will normally be made up of three or five members. It will include people who have experience of education, and one independent lay member who has no experience of education management. Neither Councillors or Governors of the schools concerned will be involved in the appeal.
Who will be at the primary or secondary school appeal hearing?As well as the Panel members, an officer from the Democratic Services Unit will clerk the meeting and be present to take notes of the meeting and offer advice to the Panel on points of law and procedural matters. This officer will take no part in the decision-making process. An officer from Children Education and Social Care will attend to explain why a place was not allocated at your preferred school. If you attend the appeal, this officer will only be present with the Appeal Panel when you are present. You may wish to take a friend with you to the appeal to give you moral support or represent you.
What will happen at the primary or secondary school appeal hearing?The hearing will be as informal as possible and the chair of the Panel will try and put you at ease. However, certain formal procedures have to be followed to make certain everyone making an appeal is given a fair chance to present their reasons for wanting a particular school.
The following is a summary of what usually happens after introduction:
- The Local Authority (LA) Representative will explain why your child was not given a place at the preferred school.
- You may ask questions.
- The Appeals Panel members may ask questions.
- You tell the Panel your reasons for wanting a place at your preferred school.
- The LA representative may ask you questions.
- The Appeals Panel members may ask you questions.
- The LA representative will sum up.
- You will have the opportunity to sum up and add anything you may have forgotten.
How can I prepare for the primary or secondary school appeal hearing?You may like to make a brief note of what you would like to say to the Appeals Panel and also to write down any questions you might wish to ask. This will make sure that you do not forget any points you wish to make at the hearing. Any new information to be used at the hearing must be viewed and agreed by both parties.
What is the decision making process for primary or secondary school appeals?The Appeals Panel will not make decisions on the appeals until all the appeals for a school have been considered. In the event of there being many appeals for a school this may take several days. Only the Appeals Panel will make decisions on the appeals.
The Appeals Panel is required to make a two part decision:
1. Whether the admission of additional children to a school would prejudice the provision of efficient education, or the efficient use of resources.
2. If this is proved, whether your case outweighs this prejudice.
You will be notified of the Panel's decision in writing as soon as possible.
Do I have to attend the primary or secondary school appeal hearing?Although you do not have to attend the hearing, it is easier to explain your reasons if you are there in person. If you do not wish to attend, the Panel will consider your written appeal based on the evidence available at the time of the hearing.
What if I am unable to attend the primary or secondary school appeal hearing?You should contact the Democratic Services Unit as soon as possible.
Can I be represented by a lawyer at the primary or secondary school appeal hearing?Yes, if you wish but this is not necessary. The LA will not have a lawyer to present their case.
Is the decision of the primary or secondary school appeal panel final?
Yes. The decision is binding on both you and the LA.
What if I lose the primary or secondary school appeal?Your child will not be able to attend the school for which you appealed. If you are a Stockton resident, the LA will already have told you at which other schools places are available. If you are not a Stockton resident, you may wish to contact your home LA, who will advise of available places. Alternatively, you may wish to discuss available places within Stockton. You are under a legal duty to ensure that your child is educated. If you have any problems finding an appropriate place, you should contact the Children Education and Social Care, School Admission Section.
If you feel that your case has been dealt with unfairly and unreasonably, or if you feel that the LA have not fulfilled their legal duties you may complain to:
Office of the Schools Adjudicator, Vincent House, 2 Woodland Road, Darlington, DL3 7PJ
or
The Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, SW1P
What if I have any other questions about a primary or secondary school appeal?The staff of Children Education and Social Care and of the Democratic Services Unit will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about an appeal.
Please feel free to contact them; they will do all that they can to help you.
School Admissions 01642 526605 or schooladmissions@stockton.gov.uk
Democratic Services Unit 01642 526190
When should my child receive information about transferring to secondary school?Your child will be given a secondary admission pack the second week in September, before the October half term by their primary school. Included in the pack will be a common application form that should be completed and returned in the envelope provided (stamp needed) by the due closing date.
All forms must be returned to the Admission Section even if your preference if for a voluntary-aided school. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
