Enrolling children in school during lock down
What happens with regards to children joining a new school when you move house, or country, during lockdown? Is it even possible?
For State schools the government has provided recommendations to councils that they only process in year applications if the child is classified as vulnerable or the parent is a critical key worker. The list of occupations in this category can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
Some of the councils will also process an in year application for a child recently arrived in the UK as they acknowledge that, as they are new to the country, they will not be receiving remote teaching from anywhere else. Of course if the children do not speak or understand English then they won’t be able to do the school work remotely anyway and if this is the case then it might be better to find a tutor that can provide them with remote English as an Additional Language lessons.
If you have recently arrived in the UK and your applications will not be processed until restrictions are lifted then you may want to encourage your children to engage with the online lessons provided by the government’s Oak National Academy https://www.thenational.academy/. There are over 1,000 lessons available across all the age ranges and covering all subjects and they include instructional videos by teachers.
If you have moved within the UK then the expectation is that your child remains on role and receives remote teaching from their previous school until restrictions are lifted.
If you are fortunate to move into an area where schools handle their own in year admissions then you may well find they are more sympathetic to your situation and will enrol your children.
For families considering fee paying Independent or International schools the transition is much easier as they have adapted their entry process and can now offer everything from a tour, testing and interviews virtually.
If you would like further advice and support we would be happy to assist. Contact us today!
#schooladmissions #relocation #education #lockdown