An advice service to help Gateshead parents make the right choice of secondary school has been so successful it has been extended to primary education.
The School Choice Advice Service was set up two years ago to give parents expert help in choosing the right secondary school for their children.
Since then the service has been inundated with hundreds of enquiries from people who needed extra help when applying for secondary school places. As a result the service has been rolled out to provide support for parents of primary school age children.
Sandra Arkless the Schools Choice Adviser for Gateshead said: “The service has proved immensely popular. That’s why we’ve decided to extend it to cover both primary and secondary schools.
“This year alone I’ve dealt with a wide range of queries from parents including gathering information on individual schools, helping parents complete their application form and providing advice and support to those whose first language is not English.
“I am here to empower parents to make an informed realistic choice of school and to help parents understand the admissions process.
“Because I am totally independent of the council, which is responsible for allocating school places, I can be objective and help parents understand the process to make the best choices for them. Starting school can be a daunting time for children and parents so impartial, independent advice on the whole process of applying for school places can really help.”
Funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) the Choice Advice Service can help and advise parents on:
· School admissions policy.
· School performance and how they are rated by inspectors.
· Term times.
· Filling out forms.
· Transport policy.
· School uniforms.
· The refusal and appeals process.
To contact the service call 0191 4332446 or email Sandra direct at sandraarkless@gateshead.gov.uk