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This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
General Organisations
The help given by these organisations is free, unless otherwise stated. However, most will make a charge for publications.
Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)
1C Aberdeen Studios
22 Highbury Grove
London
N5 2DQ
Tel: 0808 800 5793 (advice line)(Monday - Friday 10.00am-5.00pm)
Tel: 020 7704 9822 (exclusion advice line)(Monday-Friday 10.00am-5.00pm)
Website: www.ace-ed.org.uk
ACE is an independent information and advice service for parents, governors, teachers and others in England and Wales. ACE can give information on all educational matters, including school exclusions. It produces a wide range of information sheets and publications which can be bought by post or downloaded from their website. ACE can also answer individual enquiries by letter or telephone. ACE do not take on casework or represent parents at appeals, but try to enable parents to be their own advocates.
Campaign for State Education (CASE)
98 Erlanger Road
London
SE14 5TH
Tel: 020 8942 2826
E-mail: case@casenet.org.uk
Website: www.casenet.org.uk
CASE is an organisation which campaigns in England and Wales to improve the quality of, and promote equal opportunity in, all state maintained schools. CASE produces a variety of publications and information leaflets and has a number of local associations. A SAE should be enclosed with a written enquiry.
The British Council
England
10 Spring Gardens
London
SW1A 2BN
Tel: 020 7930 8466
Fax: 020 7930 6347
E-mail: general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org
Website: www.britishcouncil.org
Wales
28 Park Place
Cardiff
CF10 3QE
Tel: 029 2039 7346
Fax: 029 2023 7494
E-mail wales.enquiries@britishcouncil.org
Website: www.britishcouncil.org/wales.htm
Scotland
The Tun
4 Jackson's Entry
Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
EH8 9PJ
Tel: 0131 524 5700
Fax: 0131 524 5701
E-mail: scotland.enquiries@britishcouncil.org
Website: www.britishcouncil.org/scotland.htm
Northern Ireland
Norwich Union House
7 Fountain Street
Belfast
BT1 5EG
Tel: 028 9024 8220
Fax: 028 9024 0341/028 9023 7592
E-mail: nireland.enquiries@britishcouncil.org
Website: www.britishcouncil.org/northernireland.htm
The British Council is the national office for information and advice on all forms of educational visits, exchanges and working holidays. It is a source of contacts, project assistance and representation at national and international level for pupils, students, teachers and young working people. The British Council publishes several guides to educational visits, exchanges and working holidays. These publications are also often available in libraries.
Children's Law Centre (Northern Ireland)
Philip House
York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AB
Tel: 028 9024 5704
Fax: 028 9024 5679
E-mail: info@childrenslawcentre.org
Website: www.childrenslawcentre.org
The Children's Law Centre helps young people, their parents and professionals understand laws which affect children.
Children’s Legal Centre (England and Wales)
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
Tel: 01206 872 466 (office)
Helpline: 01206 873 873
Fax: 01206 873 466
Email: clc@essex.ac.uk
Website: www.childrenslegalcentre.com
The Children’s Legal Centre can give information and advice on all aspects of education, including advice on exclusions and failure to provide a school place. The Centre deals with written or telephone enquires. The Centre runs the Education Legal Advocacy Unit which offers free representation in cases where there is a dispute with the school or local authority. This representation service is only available in South East England. Advice and information is available to people outside this area. Information leaflets and books are available.
Children in Wales
25 Windsor Place
Cardiff
CF10 3BZ
Tel: 029 2034 2434
Fax: 029 2034 3134
Email: info@childreninwales.org.uk
Website: www.childreninWales.org.uk
Children in Wales has been responsible for guiding policy decisions that affect young people in Wales. It also provides information on all areas relevant to children and young people.
Children in Northern Ireland
216 Belmont Road
Belfast
BT4 2AD
Tel: 028 9065 2713
Fax: 028 9065 0285
Website: www.ci-ni.org.uk
The Churches' Peace Education Programme (Northern Ireland)
48 Elmwood Avenue
Belfast
BT9 6AZ
Tel: 028 9066 2992
Fax: 028 9038 2750
Email: icpep@email.com
This organisation develops resources on education for peace and mutual understanding in schools in Northern Ireland.
Education Law Association (ELAS)
33 College Road
Reading
RG6 1QE
Tel/Fax: 0118 966 9866
Email: secretary@educationlawassociation.org.uk
Website: www.educationlawassociation.org.uk
Membership of ELAS is open to anyone interested in education law and consists of legal practitioners, academic lawyers, educational establishments and others who provide educational advice. The organisation aims to promote good practice in educational advice, to develop expertise in the practice of education law and to increase co-operation between lawyers and others working on educational issues. Anyone who wants to consult a solicitor experienced in education law may contact the association at the address above.
Education Otherwise
England
PO Box 325
Kings Lynn
PE34 3XW
Helpline: 0845 478 6345
E-mail: eoemailhelpline@education-otherwise.org
Website: www.education-otherwise.org
Scotland
10 Charlton Road
bridge of Allan
Stirling
FK9 4DX
Tel/fax: 01786 831066
Education Otherwise give support and information to families whose children are being educated out of school or who are considering home-based education. There are local groups, individual contacts and information leaflets. Education Otherwise can also advise a parent whose child has learning difficulties. If asked at an early stage, they can represent a parent against whom the LEA is taking action on the grounds that a pupil is not receiving a suitable education out of school. Written requests for information should be accompanied by an SAE.
Home Education Advisory Service (England and Wales)
PO Box 98
Welwyn Garden City
Herts
AL8 6AN
Tel: 01707 371 854
Email: enquiries@HES.org.uk
Website: www.heas.org.uk
The Home Education Advisory service is a registered charity that gives advice, information and support to parents who are educating their children at home. They produce a range of publications and leaflets and provide consultancy services to professionals. Subscribers to HEAS receive a quarterly magazine, regional membership lists and access to the HEAS Advice Line.
Schoolhouse Home Education Association (Scotland)
57a Schoolhouse Home Education Association
PO Box 18044
Glenrothes
Fife
KY7 9AD
Tel: 01307 463120
Website: www.schoolhouse.org.uk
The Schoolhouse Home Education Association gives help to parents or other carers who want to educate their children at home. The website provides useful information about the legal situation and members of the association can answer queries. The aim of the association is to provide support for learning outside the school system.
Independent Schools Council Information Service (ISCis)
ISCis gives advice and information to parents considering private education for children up to the age of eighteen. Leaflets and publications listing independent schools are available, including information on schools which have facilities for pupils with learning difficulties. ISCis can give advice on individual school’s scholarship schemes. Other services, for which a charge is made, include a consultancy and placement service.
The ISCis service operates from five different regional offices in England, as well as from offices in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For contact details of all ISCis services in the UK, go to: www.isc.co.uk.
National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC)
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Suite 14, Challenge House
Sherwood Drive
Bletchley
Milton Keynes
MK3 6DP
Tel: 0845 450 0221
Fax: 0870 770 3219
E-mail: amazingchildren@nagcbritain.org.uk
Website: www.nagcbritain.org.uk
Scotland
National Association for Gifted Children in Scotland (NAGCS)
P.O. Box 2024
Glasgow
G32 9YD
E-mail: nagcs.org@btinternet.com
NAGC offers support to parents and others on how to deal with a gifted child from the age of about 18 months to 14 years. Social and educational activities are arranged around the UK for parents and their children. Various publications are available from NAGC.
Gifted Children’s Information Centre (GCIC)
Hampton Grange
21 Hampton Lane
Solihull B91 2QJ
Tel: 0121 705 4547
Fax: 0121 705 4547
GCIC offers a free telephone advice and information service and will deal with written enquiries on receipt of an SAE. Other services, for which a charge is made, include publications and information leaflets, assessment by an independent educational psychologist and representation at special educational needs appeals by an education law specialist. GCIC have a particular interest in dyslexia and left-handedness, Attention deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Asperger syndrome.
Connexions (England only for people aged 13-19)
Connexions gives careers advice to young people aged 13–19 attending school/college or working.
Connexions allocates a personal adviser to give careers advice with the aim of keeping young people in education/training until they are 18 or over. Personal advisers are based in schools, colleges and voluntary organisations.
Personal advisers will also support small groups of young people, giving more help to those with learning difficulties and to young people with disabilities. They also form links with local employers to persuade them to offer training to young people, and to give time off for training for 16-17 year olds.
For more about Connexions, go to www.connexions.gov.uk, or phone them on 080 800 13219.
National Association of School Governors (NASG) (England only)
2nd Floor SBQ1
29 Smallbrook
Queensway
Birmingham
B5 4HG
Tel: 0121 643 5787
Fax: 0121 633 7141
E-mail: governorhq@nasg.org.uk
Website: www.nga.org.uk
NASG gives information and advice to parents and governors in England on all aspects of being a governor and the work of governing bodies. NASG has local groups, produces a wide range of publications and organises training for governors.
Governors Wales
Governors Wales
First Floor
Empire House
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF10 5FN
Tel: 029 2048 7858
Helpline: 0845 602 0100
Fax: 029 2048 7843
E-mail: contact@govenorswales.org.uk
Website: www.governorswales.org.uk
Governors Wales provides up-to-date information, advice, guidance and support on all school governance issues. If you’re a governor, they offer you the opportunity to communicate with other governors across and they promote events, conferences and seminars.
Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education
10 Upper Crescent
Belfast
BT7 1NT
Tel: 028 9023 6200
Fax: 028 9023 6237
This organisation gives information and advice to anyone interested in setting up integrated schools in Northern Ireland.
Parentzone (Scotland)
A Parent can find information about any school in Scotland by visiting the Parentzone website at www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk. The information on each school includes exam results and school leaver destinations.
Service Children Education UK (SCE)
Building 31
Worthy Down
Winchester
Hants
SO21 2RG
Tel: 01962 880880
This organisation gives advice and information to members of the Navy, Army and Air Force on their children’s education, up to the age of 18. SCEs liase with LEAs when a member of the armed services is moved within the UK or abroad. If the posting is abroad, SCE will arrange suitable education for a pupil, either in a local school, at one of SCE’s own overseas schools, at a boarding school in the UK or, if none of these options is possible, by getting the parent’s posting changed.
Scottish Asian Action Committee
39 Napiershall Street
Glasgow
G20 6EZ
Tel: 0141 341 0025
Fax: 0141 341 0020
The Scottish Asian Action Committee runs an advice centre in Glasgow which gives information and advice to callers, in person or over the telephone, from any part of Scotland. The Committee provides a wide range of advice and assistance about racial discrimination and incidents of racism in schools. It is also concerned with curriculum development and the implementation and monitoring of multi-cultural policies in schools and colleges. The Committee works with other agencies to provide representation where necessary.
Scottish Child Law Centre
Scottish Child Law Centre
54 East Crosscauseway
Edinburgh
EH8 9HD
Tel: 0131 677 6333
Freephone (for under 18s): 0800 328 8970
Fax: 0131 662 1713
Email: enquiries@sclc.org.uk
Website: www.sclc.org.uk
LEXTXT: text 'SCLC' then question to 80800
The Scottish Child Law Centre provides advice, information and commentary on Scottish law for young people. Children can send a text and receive a reply direct to their mobile phone.
Young Minds
102-108 Clerkenwell Road
London
EC1M 5SA
Tel: 020 7336 8445
Fax: 020 7336 8446
Parents Information Line: 0800 0182138
E-mail: enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Young Minds provides a service for parents or carers of children and young people experiencing difficulties at school owing to mental health problems. Young Minds run a Parent Information Service, a training and consultancy service for professionals, a library and information service and also produce a range of publications. The Parent Information Service is a freephone telephone service for parents and carers with concerns about the mental health or emotional well-being of a child or young person.
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Organisations giving general support to parents and children
Childline
England
Freepost 1111
London
E1 6GL
Tel: 020 7650 3200 (Admin)
Textphone: 0800 400 222
Fax: 020 7650 3201
Freephone Helpline: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Wales
9th Floor
Alexandra House
Alexandra Road
Swansea
SA1 5ED
Tel: 0870 336 2935
Fax: 0870 336 2936
Freephone Helpline: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk/CymruWales.asp
Scotland
Freepost 1111
Glasgow
G1 1LH
Tel: 0870 336 2910
Fax: 0870 336 2911
Freephone Helpline: 0800 1111
Bullying line: 0800 441 111 (Mon - Fri 3.30pm - 9.30pm)
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Northern Ireland
Freepost BEL 1111
Belfast
BT1 2DD
Tel: 028 9032 7773 (office)
Fax: 028 9081 8131
Freephone Helpline: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Childline provides a free confidential phone counselling service for any child with any problem.
Parentline Plus
Parentline Plus offers support to anyone looking after a child. It runs courses for parents, produces books and leaflets and has a free, confidential helpline.
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
Textphone: 0800 783 6783
Website: www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Parentline Scotland
Parentline Scotland is a free, confidential helpline for parents and other carers in Scotland to talk through worries, problems and concerns about caring for children.
Tel: 0808 800 2222 (Mon, Wed Fri 9am – 5pm, Tues and Thurs 9am – 9pm)
Website: www.children1st.org.uk/parentline
Parents' Advice Centre (Northern Ireland)
Franklin House
12 Brunswick Street
Belfast
BT2 7GE
Tel: 0808 8010 722 (helpline)
Fax: 028 9031 2475
E-mail: belfast@pachelp.org
Website: www.parentsadvicecentre.org
The Parents' Advice Centre provides a support, guidance and counselling
Bullying UK
E-mail: help@bullying.co.uk
Website: www.bullying.co.uk
Bullying UK is a website which gives advice and support to pupils, parents and teachers on ways of dealing with bullying at school. Bullying UK also provides an e-mail advice service.
Respectme (Scotland)
Cumbrae House
15 Carlton Court
Glasgow
G5 9JP
Tel: 0844 800 8600
E-mail: enquire@respectme.org.uk
Text: `respect' plus message to 60066
Website: www.respectme.org.uk
Respectme is Scotland's national anti-bullying service. It provides advice and guidance on developing and reviewing anti-bullying policies. The website provides information and advice about bullying for professionals, parents and for children and young people. Respectme does not operate a helpline.
Kidscape Campaign for Children's Safety
2 Grosvenor Gardens
London
SW1W 0DH
Helpline: 08451 205 204 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
E-mail: contact@Kidscape.org.uk
Website: www.kidscape.org.uk
Kidscape is a charity working to keep children safe from bullying and child sexual abuse. It provides a helpline offering advice for parents of bullied children.
Children's Commissioner for England
11 Million
1 London Bridge
London
SE1 9BG
Tel: 0844 800 9113
E-mail: info.request@11million.org.uk
Website: www.11million.org.uk
The Children's Commissioner for England looks after the interests and acts as the independent voice of children and young people.
Children's Commissioner for Wales
Children's freephone
Tel: 0800 801 1000 (Mon-Fri 9.00am -5.00pm)
Textphone: 80800 and start the message with COM
E-mail: advice@childcomwales.org.uk
South Wales Office
Oystermouth House
Phoenix Way
Llansamlet
Swansea
SA7 9FS
Tel: 01792 765600
Fax:01792 765601
E-mail: post@childcomwales.org.uk
Website: www.childcom.org.uk
North Wales Office
Penrhos Manor
Oak Drive
Colwyn Bay
Conwy
LL29 7YW
Tel: 01492 523333
Fax: 01492 523336
The Children's Commissioner for Wales can give children and young people living in Wales advice about their rights and welfare.
Children can use the special freephone and freetext numbers to contact the Commissioner, which won't show up on any phone bill. There's also a special email address for children to use. The service is bilingual and if you want to talk to someone in a language other than English or Welsh, they will try to make this possible.
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Supervisory and standards setting bodies
England
Ofsted
Royal Exchange Buildings
St Ann's Square
Manchester
M2 7LA
Tel: 08456 404 045
E-mail: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk
Wales
Estyn
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Tel: 029 2044 6446
Fax 029 2044 6448
Email: enquiries@estyn.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.estyn.gov.uk
Scotland
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education
Headquarters Division
G Spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD
Tel: 0131 244 0650
Email: hmi.hq@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.hmie.gov.uk
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Special educational needs organisations
The help given by these organisations is free, unless otherwise stated. However, most will make a charge for publications.
IPSEA (Independent Panel for Special Education Advice)
Tel: 0800 0184016 (England and Wales. Freephone)
Tel: 0131 665 4396 (Scotland)
Tel: 0232 705654 (Northern Ireland)
Website: www.ipsea.org.uk
Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE)
New Redland
Frenchay Campus
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1QU
Tel: 0117 328 4007
Fax: 0117 328 4005
Website: www.csie.org.uk
CSIE gives information and advice on the special educational needs of pre-school children and school pupils up to age of 19. CSIE also supports parents’ campaign groups, families and schools, conducts surveys of LEA practice on integration, helps to link those who are running successful integration schemes with those who wish to set up schemes and produces a range of booklets and information factsheets.
Contact a Family
England
Contact a Family
209-211 City Road
London
EC1V 1JN
Tel: 020 7608 8700
Fax: 020 7608 8701
Helpline: 0808 808 3555 (Freephone Mon-Fri 10.00am-4.00pm; Mon 5.30pm-7.30pm)
Textphone helpline: 0808 808 3556
E-mail: info@cafamily.org.uk
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk
Wales
Contact a Family Cymru
33-35 Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9HB
Tel: 029 2039 6624
Fax: 029 2039 6625
E-mail: wales.office@cafamily.org.uk
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk/wales
Scotland
Contact a Family Scotland
Norton Park
57 Albion Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5QY
Tel: 0131 475 2608
Fax: 0131 475 2609
Helpline: 0808 808 3555 (Mon-Fri 10.00am-4.00pm)
Textphone helpline: 0808 808 3556
E-mail: scotland.office@cafamily.org.uk
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk/scotland
Northern Ireland
Contact a Family Northern Ireland
1 Wallace Avenue
Lisburn
BT27 4AA
Tel: 028 9262 7552
Helpline: 0808 808 3555 (Freephone Mon-Fri 10.00am-4.00pm; Mon 5.30pm-7.30pm)
Textphone helpline: 0808 808 3556
e-mail: nireland.office@cafamily.org.uk
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk/nireland
Contact a Family gives advice and information to families with disabled or special needs children. The organisation also provides a range of fact sheets and has a network of volunteer representatives.
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
You can ask for advice and assistance from the EHRC if:
- you are trying to get an assessment for a child with special educational needs, or
- you want to make an appeal or complaint about the local education authority because e they are not meeting your child's special educational needs, or
- you think the local education authority is discriminating against your child because of disability.
Information is available in a range of different formats and languages. The contact details are:
In England
Freepost
MID 02164
Stratford Upon Avon
CV37 9BR
Helpline: 08457 622 633
Textphone: 08457 622 644
Fax: 08457 778 878
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
In Wales
Freepost RRLR-UEYB-UYZL
3rd Floor
3 Callaghan Square
Cardiff
CF10 5BT
Helpline: 0845 604 8810
Textphone: 0845 604 8820
Fax: 0845 604 8830
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
The Council for Disabled Children
c/o National Children's Bureau
8 Wakeley Street
London
EC1V 7QE
Tel: 020 7843 1900
Fax: 020 7843 6313
E-mail: cdc@ncb.org.uk
Website: www.ncb.org.uk/cdc
The Council for Disabled Children provides an information service to parents and professionals on the needs of disabled pre-school children, pupils and students.
Disability Wales
Bridge House
Caerphilly Business Park
Caerphilly
Mid Glamorgan
CF83 3GW
Tel: 029 2088 7325
Fax: 029 2088 8702
E-mail: info@disabilitywales.org
Website: www.disabilitywales.org
This organisation gives information and advice about the needs of disabled pre-school children, pupils and students. Publications and information sheets are available.
Enquire (Scotland)
Children in Scotland
5 Shandwick Place
Edinburgh
EH2 4RG
Tel: 0131 222 2425
Fax: 0131 228 9852
Helpline: 0845 123 2303
Email: info@enquire.org.uk
Website: www.enquire.org.uk
Enquire provides independent information, advice and mediation to families with young children and to young people with educational needs.
Disability Action
Portside Business Park
189 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
Tel: 028 9029 7880
Fax: 028 9029 7881
Email: hq@disabilityaction.org
Website: www.disabilityaction.org
Disability Action can provide general information on the needs of disabled children and pupils.
Linking Education and Disability (LEAD) (Scotland)
Queen Margaret College
Clerwood Terrace
Edinburgh
EH12 8TS
Tel: 0131 317 3439
Fax: 0131 339 7198
Email: enquiries@lead.org.uk
Website: www.lead.org.uk
This organisation gives information and advice on educational opportunities for disabled people in Scotland. It can arrange for tutors to visit the homes of housebound students.
National Bureau for Students with Disabilities (SKILL)
England
SKILL
4th Floor
Chapter House
18-20 Crucifix Lane
London
SE1 3JW
Tel: 020 7450 0650
Fax: 020 7450 0650
Info service: 0800 328 5050 (1.30-4.30pm)
Minicom: 0800 068 2422
Email: info@skill.org.uk
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Wales
Skill Wales
Suite 14, 2nd Floor
The Executive Centre
Temple Court
Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9HA
Tel: 02920 786506
Email: paul@skillwales.org.uk
Scotland
SKILL in Scotland
Norton Park
57 Albion Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5AY
Tel: 0131 475 2348
Fax: 0131 475 2329
Email: skillscotland@compuserve.com
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Northern Ireland
SKILL in Northern Ireland
Unit 2
Jennymount Court
North Derby Street
Belfast
BT15 3HN
Tel: 028 9028 7000
Fax: 028 9028 7002
E-mail: info@skillni.org.uk
Website: www.skillni.org.uk
SKILL gives information and advice to disabled students or those with learning difficulties about all aspects of education and training for people aged 16 and over. The information available includes details of financial entitlements, as well as access to, and facilities in, higher education establishments. SKILL also produces publications, including a regular newsletter.
Parents for Inclusion
Unit 2
Ground Floor
70 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1RL
Tel: 020 7735 7735 (administration)
Helpline: 020 7582 5008 (Tues and Thurs 10am-12pm)
Freephone helpline: 0800 652 3145
Fax: 020 7735 3828
Email: info@parentsforinclusion.org
Website: www.parentsforinclusion.org
Parents for inclusion is a self-help organisations giving information, advice and support on education matters to parents of children with learning difficulties. It has parent support groups and can help a parent prepare their representations or case for an appeal. Publications are available.
RNID
The RNID Information and Casework Service provides information to deaf and hard of hearing people who may have been discriminated against in education. In some cases, it can provide representation.
RNID in England
19-23 Featherstone Street
London
EC1Y 8SL
Tel: 0808 808 0123 (freephone)
Textphone: 0808 808 9000 (freephone)
Fax: 020 7296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
Website: www.rnid.org.uk
RNID in Northern Ireland
Wilton House
5 College Square North
Belfast
BT1 6AR
Tel: 028 9023 9619
Text: 028 9031 2033
Fax: 028 9031 2031
Video: 028 9043 8354
Website: www.rnid.org.uk
RNID Cymru
16 Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9LJ
Tel: 0808 808 1234 (freephone)
Textphone: 0808 808 9000 (freephone)
Fax: 0207 296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
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Organisations for students
The help given by these organisations is free, unless otherwise stated. However, most will make a charge for publications.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
John Foster House
36 Gordon Square
London
WC1H OPF
Tel: 020 7380 6700
Fax: 020 7387 2655
E-mail: info@acu.ac.uk
Website: www.acu.ac.uk
ACU provides an information service about universities in Commonwealth countries. ACU produces a variety of publications, including a Yearbook which contains detailed information on over 200 universities, information sheets on taking a first or higher degree abroad and scholarship guides. ACU also has a reference library which prospective students can use.
The British Council
10 Spring Gardens
London
SW1A 2BN
Tel: 020 7930 8466
Fax: 020 7839 6347
The British Council offers youth exchange grants to help organised groups of young people, usually between the ages of 14 and 30, to establish continuing links with a group of similar background and interests from another country. In allocating grants, priority is given to new ventures. Applications should be for clearly identified projects.
British Universities Transatlantic Exchange (BUTEX)
London Metropolitan University
166 – 220 Holloway Road
London
N7 8DB
Tel: 020 7133 2364
Fax: 020 7133 2804
E-mail: butex@londonmet.ac.uk
Website: www.butex.ac.uk
The British Universities Transatlantic Exchange (BUTEX) programme covers some 80 higher education institutions in the UK, most of which have exchange arrangements with universities and colleges in North America.
The Fulbright Commission
62 Doughty Street
London
WC1N 2LS
Tel: 020 7404 6854
Fax: 020 7404 6834
E-mail: education@fulbright.co.uk
Website: www.fulbright.co.uk
The Fulbright Commission gives information and advice to British students who want to study at an American university. The Commission can also deal with other educational enquiries relating to the USA. Scholarships are available. The Commission has a reference library of university prospectuses and directories which a prospective student can use.
National Union of Students (NUS)
England
Nelson Mandela House
461 Holloway Road
London
N7 6LJ
Tel: 020 7272 8900
Fax: 020 7263 5713
E-mail: nus@nus.org.uk
Website: www.nusonline.co.uk
Scotland
29 Forth Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3LE
Tel: 0131 556 6598
Fax: 0131 557 5679
Email: mail@nus-scotland.org.uk
Website: www.nusonline.co.uk/scotland
Wales
13 Lambourne Crescent
Cardiff Business Park
Llanishen
CF14 5GF
Tel: 029 2068 0070
Fax: 029 2075 7083
E-mail: office@nus-wales.org.uk
Website: www.nusonline.co.uk/wales
Northern Ireland
(NUS–USI)
2nd Floor
42 Dublin Road
Belfast
BT2 7BY
Tel: 028 9024 4641
Fax: 028 9043 9659
Textphone: 028 9032 4878
Email: info@nus-usi.org
Website: www.nistudents.org
The NUS gives information and advice on most educational and welfare issues affecting students, including help to a student who is having a problem getting a grant. The NUS produces a variety of publications and information leaflets. Before approaching the NUS, a student should contact the students’ union at their college.
Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA)
Fifth floor
Thames Tower
Station Road
Reading
RG1 1LX
Tel: 0118 9599813
Website: www.oiahe.org.uk
OIA hears complaints from past and present students against institutions for higher education which are members of OIA. A complaint may relate to a course or service provided by an institution, or to a decision by a disciplinary body, but may not relate to academic performance. A student must exhaust the institution's own complaints procedure before contacting OIA.
National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC)
ECCTIS 2000
Oriel House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham
GL50 1XP
Tel: 0870 990 4088
Fax: 0870 990 1560
E-mail: info@naric.org.uk
Website: www.naric.org.uk
UK NARIC provides an advisory service for people who need to relate overseas academic qualifications to qualifications awarded in the UK. There is a fee charged for this service.
UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
9-17 Alban’s Place
London
N1 ONX
Tel: 020 7288 4330 (administration only)
Fax: 020 7226 3373
Website: www.ukcisa.org.uk
UKCISA is an independent registered educational charity. It provides support for people who work with international students and acts as a facilitator for the exchange of ideas on international education. Only member organisations can use the UKCISA advice line. Individual international students should consult their local NUS office or, in an emergency, may ring UKCISA on the public casework number, 020 7107 9922 Monday-Friday, 1-4pm only.
Universitas 21
Universitas 21 is a multinational consortium of higher education institutions. It offers students the opportunity to spend time studying abroad. Further information is available at www.universitas21.com.
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
PO Box 28
Cheltenham
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0871 468 0 468
E-mail: enquiries@ucas.ac.uk
Website: www.ucas.ac.uk
UCAS is the clearing house for admissions to universities throughout the United Kingdom. It publishes a handbook which gives information about universities and details of courses.
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