Education

Nursery education

Nursery schools mostly operate according to catchment areas. Individual nursery schools should be approached by the parent(s) to request a place. The age range varies from school to school.

Nursery units normally accept children from the age of 3-5 years, although there is some variation.

Finding a school

Places in primary schools are allocated according to catchment area. Catchment areas can be identified by contacting the local Education Department. (Voluntary aided schools don’t have catchment areas.)

Parents can approach individual primary schools to request a placement at the school concerned. If the parent(s) is unsuccessful in finding a school place, then they can contact the Education Department, which will undertake to find a placement for the child(ren).

There are no catchment areas as far as placements in secondary schools are concerned. Parents should register their children with the Education Department. All requests for placements must go through the Education Department.

Entitlements

For families who are on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), free school meals are provided at primary and secondary level. Application forms are available on request from the Education Department. Evidence of receipt of benefit must be provided, e.g. Income Support book, etc. Clothing grants for school uniforms are not available in the London Borough of Newham.

Registration

Children need to be registered with a nursery school/unit before they are two and a half years old. Children coming into the borough at this age should be registered as soon as possible with a nursery school. However, registration does not automatically mean a place will be provided.

Sponsored day care places

Application for a sponsored day care placement is dependent on certain criteria. These include: 

1.      A serious health problem or disability in the family.

2.      Experience of severe stress within the family.

3.      Children with learning difficulties.

For children who have experienced domestic violence the above criteria (1&2) may apply.

For sponsored day care places application should be made to the child’s/children’s local Social Services Department 0-8’s Team. This should be accompanied by a supporting letter from a relevant organisation/body.

 NB: Further information about nursery and sponsored day care places can be obtained from "Newham for Kids" Directory available from Newham Children’s Information Service at the Stratford Advice Arcade Tel: 020 8555 6819 or from the Early Years Unit in the Education Department.

Special educational needs at nursery level

Applications for special needs nursery places should be made to the child’s/children’s local Social Services Department or to the Child Development Centre, 84 West Ham Lane E15.

If a child is already attending a main stream nursery school and it is subsequently identified that specialised provision is required, the Education Department will make appropriate arrangements, usually by providing additional support to the mainstream nursery.

The criteria for this would include:

1. Physical disability.
2. Learning difficulty.
3. Sensory disability.
4. Behavioural difficulty.
5. Development delay.

Special educational needs at primary/secondary level

If a woman is concerned that her child may have special educational needs, she should be advised to discuss this with the child’s teacher. If the teacher also has concerns these will be raised with the special needs co-ordinator at the child’s school. If the child requires more support than can be provided by the school, agreement should be sought from the Local Education Authority (LEA) to provide the necessary support either in a main stream school or in a special unit. 

Information from the health service, educational psychology service and from the Social Services Department where the child is known will be collected. If necessary a statement of special educational needs may be issued setting out how the Local Educational Authority will provide for the child, usually within the mainstream school. The parent(s), however, will have the opportunity to comment on the statement.

For further information contact: Parent Support Network

Parents Centre
747 Barking Road
London E13
020 8472 2000

Head Of Special Needs Assessment
Education Officers
020 8555 5552 ext. 42218

Education welfare

Education Welfare Officers (EWO) are based at Broadway House, Stratford. Every school has an EWO assigned to it. Non-attendance at school, poor punctuality and unauthorised absences are reported to the EWO by the nominated school personnel in charge of attendance. If a problem with regard to a child’s attendance is identified, Education Welfare Officers aim to work in partnership with other relevant agencies, which may be working with the family in order to resolve the situation.

Education Welfare Officers can also be involved in child protection issues, etc. 

All correspondence should be sent to:

Educational welfare

Education Welfare Service
Broadway House
322 High Street
Stratford E15 1AJ
Tel: 020 8430 2000 ext. 42131  Fax: 020 8557 8606

Teacher and student support

There are in fact no Borough wide policies and guidance in place governing procedure with regard to teacher and student support in respect to domestic violence.

The level of support in schools offered to students experiencing domestic violence varies throughout the borough. There may be an identified teacher within the school who works closely with the educational welfare officer in such cases. On the other hand, it may be up to individual teachers to take it upon themselves to support the student wherever possible.

Voluntary sector resources

LIVELINE now exists in Newham, which is an organisation providing counselling by telephone for those under the age of 21 years. Their telephone number is 0500 585850. LIVELINE can be contacted about any issue and is currently aiming to develop a consistent input into schools in Newham. Pilot schemes are under way in certain schools, which Lifeline hopes will include input from other voluntary sector organisations on domestic violence awareness for both teachers and students. Young people can contact LIVELINE directly and onward appropriate referral can be arranged, if necessary. 

Contact LIVELINE directly for updates in service provision and activities in schools.

Specialised domestic violence services in the borough are working in schools to raise awareness about domestic violence. The programme aims to challenge the acceptability of violence in relationships. Newham Social Services, ELBWO and Newham Asian Women’s Project are involved in this programme.

Young people and education

Newham Careers Guidance exists to provide information and advice on options available for adult training/education in the borough. You are advised to telephone to make an appointment on 020 8534 1374 or 020 8555 5552.For further information on service provision and a guide to services for children and young people in Newham see Newham Children’s Information Service "Newham for Kids", which includes lists of schools and is available from:

Stratford Advice Arcade
107-109 The Grove
StratfordE15 1HP
Tel: 020 8555 6819

Adult Education Services

Brochures and advice on courses run at Newham College of Further Education and Newham Community Education Service can be obtained by telephoning 020 8257 4228.