Your Rights
As a parent you have a right to an education for your child from the age of five until age sixteen.
You also have a right to expect quality, access to information and choice.
Before your child starts school you can request information including the school prospectus and Governors' annual report to Parents.
Once your child starts school you can expect the school to provide:
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Governors' annual report to Parents
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Invitations to Parents' meetings
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Information on national Curriculum assessments for your child and the school
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A written report on your child's progress every year
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A detailed "record of achievement" when your child changes or leaves school
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Access to published OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education) inspection reports on your child's school
You can expect the Education Department to provide:
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Information on school admissions procedures
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Information about criteria for school places, transport, exclusions, assessment etc.
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A school place for your child, taking your preference and our criteria into account
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Information about the right to appeal:
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against the refusal of a place
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if your child is excluded from school
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if you feel the national curriculum is not being delivered
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under the new code of practice for Special Needs
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The right to complain
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Free school meals if you are on Income Support or Income-based Job Seekers Allowance.
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School transport for pupils aged 5-16 (subject to policies and regulations)
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Assessment (in accordance with regulations) where your child is thought to have special needs
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Advice on Student Grants
You also have to right to have a say in the running of your child's school. You can do this by attending the Annual Parents' Meeting or standing for election as a School Governor. Whatever you do, schools must consult with you on major matters that affect your child.
Parental Responsibility
If you are a divorced or separated parent, all these rights will normally be available to you, even if you do not live with your child, unless they are specifically restricted by a court order. Unmarried fathers may not have these rights automatically unless you have the consent of the child's mother or have acquired parental responsibility by legal agreement or a court order.
You can help your child and his or her school by playing an active role in school life. You have certain responsibility in law, to ensure your child receives appropriate full-time education through a suitable broad and balanced curriculum - at school or otherwise.
Assuming your child is enrolled at a school you can help by:
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ensuring your child gets to and from school or the transport pick up point
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supporting codes of conduct for safety when travelling
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ensuring your child attends school regularly and arrives on time
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raising any concerns you may have about Special Educational Needs for your child
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ensuring your child has the right equipment with them for the school day
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supporting your school's policy on homework and behaviour
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attending school meetings and playing an active role in events
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joining your school's PTA (Parent Teacher Association)
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helping your child at home - eg. Staffordshire Education promotes a Home School Partnership to help pre-school and young children
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keeping the school informed about where you are living, if this is not with your child (our guide on "Who is a Parent?" will give you further information).
By being a partner with your child's school you can play an important part in your child's development and achievements.
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