Whose responsibility is it for getting a child to school?
Who can claim free transport?
What is statutory walking distance?
What is meant by an available route?
How is distance measured?
Are there any exceptions?
What if a child does not attend the designated or nearest school?
What arrangements are made for pupils with special needs?
Is transport available to denominational schools?
Can parents appeal?
My child has been permanently excluded from school, what do I do next?
How long will my child be out of school?
I don't think my child will cope back in a mainstream school; I would like him to go to a "special school"
Do I choose another school?
How do I choose another school?
Will my child go on the school roll?
Will I have to buy a new uniform?
What support will there be in the new school for my child?
What is meant by authorised and unauthorised attendance?
Who authorises my child's absence from school?
How can the odd day off affect my child's education?
Can I take my child out of school for a holiday in term time?
Who/what is an Education Welfare Officer and what do they do?
Who asks an Education Welfare Officer to visit me?
Can school ask for medical proof that my child is ill?
Who should I contact if I am having problems with my child's attendance at school?
Can my child leave school on their 16th birthday and get a job?
I know some children who are truanting, who do I report this to?
If I don't send my child to school what will happen, will I have to go to prison?
Whose responsibility is it for getting a child to school?
The legal responsibility for ensuring that a child attends school rests with parents. The Council has a duty in some cases to assist with transport to and from school.
Who can claim free transport?
Pupils of compulsory school age are entitled to free school transport if they live beyond the statutory walking distance and attend the school designated by the Council to serve the home address.
Transport will also be provided where requested if pupils are registered at a school that is not the designated school but which is the nearest to their home. In the latter case the school must be beyond the walking distance and suited to the age, ability and aptitude of the child.
Parents/Carers are responsible for ensuring their child's safety by making appropriate arrangements for their child to be accompanied to and from the nearest bus stop and during the journey as appropriate
What is statutory walking distance?
For a child under eight years of age the walking distance is two miles from the home to the school, measured by the nearest available route. For pupils aged eight and over the walking distance is three miles.
What is meant by an available route?
The Courts have defined an available route as one "along which a child accompanied as necessary can walk and walk with reasonable safety to school. It does not fail to qualify as available because of dangers which would arise if the child is unaccompanied".
How is distance measured?
Routes are measured along the nearest available walking route - metalled roads, recognised footpaths and so on. Routes are measured from the front door of the home address to the nearest school entrance.
Are there any exceptions?
Transport may be provided to schools that do not serve the home address where there are exceptional educational or medical considerations that require special attention.
Transport may be provided without charge to children within the statutory walking distance where a route is considered to be exceptionally hazardous or where an authorised officer of the School Health Service indicates that transport is required for a child on medical grounds.
What if a child does not attend the designated or nearest school?
Where parents choose a school that is not designated by the Council as serving the home address or one that is not the nearest to the home they must make their own transport arrangements and meet any travel costs.
What arrangements are made for pupils with special needs?
Where transport is provided for children with special needs, the type of transport provided will take into account their age and mobility.
Is transport available to denominational schools?
Assistance with transport is given to pupils attending schools for denominational reasons, provided that the pupil lives beyond the statutory walking distance and within the transport area served by the school.
Can parents appeal?
If parents are unhappy about the way in which the policy has been applied staff at the Assessment Services will be willing to discuss any concerns.
The decision will be reviewed and you will be given a written explanation.
My child has been permanently excluded from school, what do I do next?
Following the headteacher's decision to exclude, you will be invited to a meeting of the school's Governing Body, they will decide whether or not to confirm the decision to exclude.
Advice can be given by the Principal Education Welfare Officer for Exclusions.
If the decision is to re-instate your child you will be notified within ONE school day with readmission arrangements
or
If the decision is to confirm the exclusion you will be notified within ONE school day giving the reasons for the decision and advising you of your right to appeal.
If you do not wish to appeal or the appeal has been unsuccessful you will be contacted regarding your child's continuing educational arrangements.
Please note that the school is responsible for the setting and marking or work during this process.
Does your child have a Statement of Special Educational Need?
If your child has a statement of Special Educational Needs contact the Senior SEN and Inter Agency liaison Officer - Julia Russell on 01709 382121. Julia will discuss the way forward with you.
If your child does not have a statement of Special Educational Needs contact the Re-integration Officer - Sue Budby on 01709 336611. Sue will make an appointment to visit you to discuss the way forward.
The following questions and answers ONLY relate to Children WITHOUT Statements of Special Educational Need.
How long will my child be out of school?
Your child will be out of school for the minimum amount of time possible. The LEA has 2 pupil referral units where permanently excluded pupils are placed until they are ready to return to mainstream school. One unit is for primary age pupils and the other for secondary age pupils. At both centres the staff will work with your child to assess their readiness for re-integration into another mainstream school.
I don't think my child will cope back in a mainstream school; I would like him to go to a "special school"
In order to go to a special school your child will need a statement of Special Educational Needs. As a parent you can request an assessment of your child and to do this you need to contact the SEN Department in Norfolk House. Tel 382121 and ask for SEN Assessment. It should be noted that an assessment of SEN does not guarantee a place at special school.
Do I choose another school?
The LEA supports parental preference wherever possible; this means that in the majority of cases your child will be given a fresh start in the school of your choice, however occasionally this is not possible for a variety of reasons and if this is the case then options regarding other schools will be discussed with you.
How do I choose another school?
Each school has a prospectus which describes the school and its attitudes to teaching, learning and relationships. You can obtain a prospectus from any school and this will help you to decide if it is the right school for your child.
Will my child go on the school roll?
Primary - a meeting will be held at the school between yourselves, the head teacher, Sue Budby and any other professionals which are involved. At this meeting a start date will be agreed and your child will go on the roll of the school.
Secondary - a meeting will be held at the school between yourselves, the head teacher, Sue Budby and any other professionals which are involved. At this meeting a date will be agreed for your child to start a "10 week trial" in the new school.
You will be invited to attend a review meeting which will be held after four weeks. At this review we will check that your child is settling in and progressing well.
LEA and School staff will monitor your child's progress during the 10 week trial
If this trial is successful your child will go on the school roll at the end of the 10 weeks.
Will I have to buy a new uniform?
Primary - if the school has a uniform policy then you will have to buy a new uniform to enable your child to make a fresh start at that school.
Secondary - your child will initially be in the new school on a "10 week trial" and therefore many secondary schools will loan surplus, pre-worn uniforms to enable your child to make a fresh start, however if your child is taken on roll at the school you will have to return this uniform and purchase a new one from the school.
What support will there be in the new school for my child?
There are many ways in which your child can be supported in school a few examples are:
Support from LEA Behaviour Support Workers, who can work 1 to 1 with your child for a limited period. Possible link?
School Learning Mentors Link to Learning Mentors
Work in the Schools Learning Support Units/Bases
Being paired with a "buddy" to help your child settle in and find their way around school.
What is meant by authorised and unauthorised attendance?
A justified explanation for every absence from school is required, if one is not forthcoming then the absence will be classed as unauthorised.
Unauthorised absence also includes all unexplained or unjustified absences.
Who authorises my child's absence from school?
Only the school can authorise an absence. Schools are not obliged to accept parental explanation for pupil absence where there is doubt as to the validity of that explanation.
How can the odd day off affect my child's education?
Regular attendance at school is important in order that your child reaches their full potential. It is also important that patterns of regular attendance are established right from the start, particularly at primary school age.
Can I take my child out of school for a holiday in term time?
Head teachers may give permission for up to 10 days authorised absence per school year but this is at their discretion and parents have no right to demand it. If the Head teacher refuses to authorise a holiday, your child will be marked as having an unauthorised absence. High levels of unauthorised absence can lead to prosecution.
Who/what is an Education Welfare Officer and what do they do?
Every school has a named Education Welfare Officer who is either based in the school or visits the school on a regular basis. Education Welfare Officers usually work with children whose absences have reached an unacceptable level or with pupils who are experiencing difficulties at home or in school which may result in an escalation or development of non-school attendance.
Who asks an Education Welfare Officer to visit me?
If the school refers your child to the Education Welfare Officer the officer will then contact you and may make an appointment to visit you at home to discuss how the situation could be improved.
Can school ask for medical proof that my child is ill?
Yes, if the authenticity of illness is in doubt the school, or EWO, can consult the School Health Service or the GP.
Who should I contact if I am having problems with my child's attendance at school?
You should contact your child's school in the first instance.
Can my child leave school on their 16th birthday and get a job?
Children have to receive education until they are 16 years of age, however, this does not mean the date they become 16 but the last Friday before the last Monday in June in Year 11. (Children can work part-time when they reach 13 years, please see FAQ's for Child Employment)
I know some children who are truanting, who do I report this to?
Contact the child's school, if known, or Rotherham Education Welfare Service on 01709 822567.
If I don't send my child to school what will happen, will I have to go to prison?
Not sending your children to school is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £2500, a community sentence, a Fixed Penalty Notice or a prison sentence of up to three months.
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