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This information applies to England and Wales
My child is being bullied at school, what can I do?
First of all, talk to your child to hear what they have to say. Then arrange to speak to the child’s teacher. You should find out how they usually deal with a problem about suspected bullying and how they are going to take the matter forward. You can also find out whether the school has a written anti-bullying policy. If so, ask to see it.
If you are not satisfied with the teacher's response, ask to see the Head Teacher. If you are still not happy, you could contact the governing body of the school and/or the Local Educational Authority. If the bullying is really severe, it is possible that it could be considered a criminal activity.
There are several organisations which may be able to help you and provide support if you think your child is being bullied.
For more information about organisations that can help, see Education organisations which give information and advice.
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Can my son get financial help to go to college after his GCSEs?
A Local Education Authority(LEA) does not have to give financial help to any student over the age of 16. However, it does have the power to help if it chooses to. Each LEA has its own rules for helping students in further education. They may give a certain amount of money in the form of either an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) or a Local Education Authority Grant. If your home is in Wales you may be able to get an Assembly learning Grant to help with the costs of your studies, even if his college is not in Wales itself.
It is also possible that your son may get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. However, the rules for claiming these benefits if you are a student are restricted to certain kinds of students and many will not be able to get help in this way.
Colleges also have their own funds that can be used to help individual students. Each college has its own rules for giving out these funds which are called ‘Access Funds’. Your son can find out more about these from the college itself.
For more information about an EMA, LEA grants and benefits, see Financial help for students aged 16 to 19.
For information about other financial help, see Help with school costs.
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Can I educate my child at home?
Yes, you can. A Local Educational Authority (LEA) must provide a full-time education for a child of ‘compulsory school age’ by law and a parent must make sure that their child of ‘compulsory school age’ receives an education. But the law does not say a child must go to school. A parent can arrange for a child to be taught at home.
You don't have to inform the LEA if you want to teach your child at home. However, it's a good idea to talk to the LEA about it first. If you don't talk to the LEA, they are likely to make enquiries and you will need to be able to show that you are providing your child with a suitable education.
There are organisations that can advise you. Education Otherwise and the Home Education Advisory service are good places to find out more about educating your child outside of school.
For more information about organisations that can help, see Education organisations which give information and advice.
For more information on compulsory school age, see Access to education.
For more information on the duties and responsibilities of a parent and the LEA, see Access to education.
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What can I do if my daughter is expelled from school?
Children can be excluded from school for a short time if they have broken a rule that the school considers important. They can be excluded permanently (expelled) if the school decides that their behaviour has been very unacceptable. The ways in which this happens will depend on what sort of school your daughter goes to. The ways in which a parent can appeal will also vary according to the type of school.
If your daughter is excluded from school there are organisations that can help, for example, the Advisory Centre for Education.
For more information about exclusion from school, see Problems at school.
For more information about organisations that can help, see Education organisations which give information and advice.
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I have just found out my child is autistic, can she continue to go to our local primary school?
Your child should be assessed by the local Education Authority (LEA) and may be give a statement of special educational needs (SEN). All children with SEN should be provided with education that suits their needs. This education may be in your local primary school, a special school or somewhere else, depending on her needs. If you do not feel that the education being offered to your child is best suited to her, you have a right of appeal over any decision made. There are several organisations who can give further advice.
For information about special educational needs, see Special educational needs.
For more information about organisations that can help, see Education organisations which give information and advice.
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I am a wheelchair user and want to go to college after my A levels - what do I need to consider?
You should contact the colleges that interest you and get hold of their prospectus. Read each prospectus carefully to find out how accessible they are for wheelchair users and how they would cater for the needs of wheelchair users. If the prospectus does not tell you all you want to know, contact the college concerned for further information. You may wish to ask for an interview to discuss accessibility.
If your course requires you to go on a work placement then make sure the college can arrange one that is suitable for your needs.
There is an organisation that can give advice to students with disabilities. It is called the National Bureau for students with disabilities (SKILL).
For more information about SKILL, see Education organisations which give information and advice.
For more information on applying to college, see Higher education and university students.
For information about financial support for students including students with disabilities, see Financial support for higher education students.
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