Childcare and Schools Schooling If your children are between the ages of 5 and 16 years of age, and your study or work will keep you in Nottingham for at least six months, then the Local Education Authority will provide a place for them at a state school, near to where you live. If there is more than one school near to you then ask other parents in your neighbourhood for their recommendation. We also recommend that you arrange to visit the schools to find out more about them. You must provide evidence of your child’s date of birth (passport or birth certificate) when they enrol at school. It is also helpful to provide the school with translated copies of your child’s most recent school reports as well as a bilingual dictionary. The International Office has general information about the education system and local primary (5-11 years) and secondary (12-18 years) schools. This is also available in Korean, Complex Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Farsi and Arabic. General Information The school system is split into two parts. The primary stage is for children between 5 years to 11 years old. Year R (Reception) is the first year, Year 6 is the final primary year. Years 7 to 11 are the secondary stage for children aged between 11 and 16 years old. Education is compulsory until the age of 16. After the age of 16 students may continue their education for 2 more years at either a college or in secondary schools which have provision for years 12 and 13. This is also sometimes known as lower and upper sixth forms. The school year is organised into six half terms; each divided by a week’s holiday. At the end of each term there is usually a holiday of two weeks. The summer term is followed by a six- week vacation. The school year runs from September to July. The school day is usually between 9.00am and 3.30pm with an hour break for lunch. Some children stay at school for a hot school dinner, which is ordered and paid for through the school. Many children bring a packed lunch (sandwiches) and some leave the school premises to eat with their families. It is your choice but you must inform the school of your decision. The average class size is 28 – 32 children. If your child needs help with English, the school will arrange specialist support. 2 Childcare and Schools There is no corporal punishment in our schools. State education is free in the UK. All materials (pencils, paper, textbooks, exercise books etc.), are provided by the school at no charge. At the primary phase most schools have a uniform but it is not usually compulsory. At secondary school it is usually compulsory. You will be expected to provide this. You will also be asked to provide suitable clothing so that your child can participate in swimming and P.E. lessons. Occasionally classes attend visits off school premises, you may be asked to make a small financial contribution towards this. Local Education Authority (LEA) The government manages state education through Local Education Authorities – LEA’s. As the University is next to the city there are 2 education departments that deal with the areas close to us. Both produce information booklets and both have websites. The City of Nottingham Education Department covers areas such as Dunkirk, Lenton and Wollaton, see www.nottinghamschools.co.uk or telephone the Admissions Service on 0115 915 0763 for more information. Nottinghamshire County Council Education Department covers areas such as Beeston, Bramcote, Chilwell and Sutton Bonington, see www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk or call 0115 8546161 for more information. The LEA can provide you with an application form and an information booklet on the school system in their area. The LEA manages all admissions for local schools so you should send your application form to them not to the school. On the form you can state which school you would like your child to attend. The LEA can not guarantee to offer you a place at your preferred school as this will depend on availability, if there are no places the LEA will offer you a place at another school in the area. Please note it is not possible to reserve a school place for your child until you and your family are living here in Nottingham. In addition to the schools run by the LEA there are some private and ‘voluntary aided’ schools in Nottingham. The Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church usually runs these schools with only limited involvement by the LEA. The schools manage their own place allocation so you can contact them direct to find out more. 3 Childcare and Schools Local Schools PRIMARY (5-11 years) COMPREHENSIVE (11-18 years) Alderman Pounder Alderman White Eskdale Drive Chilwell Lane, Bramcote Chilwell Tel: 9170424 Tel: 9252928 Beeston Fields Primary Bramcote Hills Boundary Road, Moor Lane, Bramcote, Beeston Tel: 9168900 Tel: 8440100 Bramcote Hills Primary Chilwell Comprehensive Moor Lane, Bramcote Queens Road West Tel: 9179226 Stapleford Tel:9170100 Dunkirk Primary Fernwood Comprehensive Marlborough Street, Goodwood Road Dunkirk Wollaton Tel: 9153273 Tel: 9286326 Fernwood Primary George Spencer Arleston Drive, Wollaton Arthur Mee Road Tel: 9155730 Beeston Tel: 9252698 John Clifford Primary Nether Street, Beeston Tel: 9258057 Lenton Primary Lenton Boulevard Tel: 9151793 Middleton Primary Harrow Road Wollaton Park Tel: 9153261 Roundhill County School Foster Avenue, Beeston Tel: 9179262 Trent Vale Infants School Trent Road, Beeston Tel: 9179224 For Muslim Families: Karimia Primary School and Nursery at Peoples College Carlton Road, Nottingham Tel: 9588330 www.nottscity.co.uk/karimia 4 Childcare and Schools Childcare There is a wide range of childcare services and activities in the areas around the University. Parents can choose the type of service most suitable for their needs. For information about Childminders, Playgroups and Private Day Nurseries you can contact the Children’s Information Service. You can also email enquiries to: [email protected]. Childcare Link provides information about all types of childcare and early years education nationwide. At the University There is a 50 place, purpose built day nursery catering for children aged 4 months to 5 years on University Park campus. The nursery is open from 8.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Fees are charged for this facility. The University also runs a Playcentre Day Care located on University Park campus and has places for 60 children aged 2-5 years. The majority of places are reserved for students and staff. Fees are also charged for this facility. There is a University of Nottingham Playscheme for children aged 4.5 - 12 years and a Toy Library. For information about all these services and the fees charged please see www.nottingham.ac.uk/child-care. Other Facilities TLC (Tender Loving Childcare Limited) is a private company which provides day care at the University of Nottingham. The new, purpose-built facility is located next to the Swimming Pool and existing University of Nottingham Day Nursery. The TLC facility is privately owned and managed. TLC caters for children up to school age (approximately 5 years old). For further details please see www.tlcchildcare.org. Some Nottingham City primary schools have a nursery attached to them for children aged 3 to 4 (nursery class) and some nursery classes form their own nursery school. The demand for these is very high but your child’s name could be put on the waiting list, if there is one near your home. Places will be either in the morning or afternoon but not both. There are also many private nurseries. These will cost more than £130-£170 a week for your child to be cared for. Contact the Children’s Information Service or Childcare Link for details 5 Childcare and Schools Childminders Some students prefer their children to be looked after in a private home with a childminder. These must be registered with Ofsted (the national standards agency). The cost is much less for a childminder, between £5 - £8 per hour and the hours can be more flexible. Parent and Toddler Groups These groups are an ideal way for parents to get to know each other as well as the children having the chance to play with other children of their own age. The mums or dads stay with the children all the time. These usually meet in the morning during school term. The groups have a wide selection of toys for the children and while they play, the parents have the opportunity to chat. It would be a helpful way to improve language and give a chance to get to know some English people. There is a small charge to cover the cost of toys and refreshments. Playgroups There are playgroups located in many areas around Nottingham for children between 3 and 5 years of age. They usually run for the mornings only during school terms. Parents can leave their children at the playgroup for 2-3 hours although this may be on a rota basis. Financial Assistance Students may apply for a grant towards childcare costs. The Child Care Support Scheme provides financial assistance to students who use private childcare. For an application form and notes of guidance please see the Student Services website, telephone 0115 951 5992 or email [email protected]. 6 Childcare and Schools We offer a drop-in service between 10am and 1pm and 2pm and 4pm Monday - Friday. These times may vary in none term-time. The information in this leaflet is given in good faith and correct at the time of writing (August 2008).