Starting school
Finding a school
As a parent or carer, you are responsible for making sure your child goes to school regularly, and on time. Make sure the school knows that you want to be told as soon as any problems arise which involve your child. Let them know about anything else you would like them to tell you. The Department for Education and Skills has a useful site called the Parent Centre detailing
what every parent should know.
This Search facility allows you to search the following databases in one go: DfES School Performance Tables, School Website Database and Ofsted School Reports. Click here to go to the website.
What schools are in Westminster?
You can view a
list of nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in Westminster on this website.
Assessing a school
A site set up specifically for parents,
www.parents.org.uk, offers a wide range of advice, and suggests questions to ask teachers. You will generally need to apply to the school you would like your child to attend. Click here to find out
why you need to apply.
In deciding which school you would like your child to attend you should consider all the available information. Find out what information is available about your local schools (e.g. prospectus).
Schools admissions
Westminster Local Education Authority (LEA) is the admission authority for the community schools in Westminster.
As part of this role, the School Admissions Team administers the admissions for primary to secondary school transfers for the three community secondary schools in Westminster. The team also coordinates admissions to reception class of primary schools and at secondary transfer.
More information on Schools Admissions
Benefits available to school pupils
There are a number of financial and other benefits available to school pupils including clothing grants, free school meals. Further details are available in our
Student and Pupil Support section.
Starting school
Compulsory education starts for children in the August after their fifth birthday and ends at age 16. Though some parents choose to educate their children at home, most children and young people are educated at school, and it is important that they attend regularly to benefit fully from their education and achieve their potential.
Click here for term times in Westminster.
Links
The
National Grid for Learning (NGfL) portal brings together a vast and growing collection of sites that support education and lifelong learning. Whether you are learning, supporting, teaching or managing, there are resources on the Grid for you. There is also a Grid specifically for Westminster. Click
here for Westminster Grid for Learning (WGfL).
For resources specifically in Westminster the Council has access to two databases. These are the Community Information System and/or for those with a disability there is WELDIS.
If you are responsible for a child certain State Benefits may be available to you.
Other related links:
