Choice Adviser - helping parent make the right school choices
Is your child starting secondary school? Do you need help to fill in your form?
If you need support to decide which mainstream secondary school your child should attend, the Choice Adviser at Gateshead Council could help you.
What is a Choice Adviser?
A Choice Adviser can offer you expert advice in choosing the right secondary school for your child and support to apply for your child’s school place at secondary school.
Starting secondary school can be a daunting time for children and parents so impartial, independent advice on the whole process of applying for school places can be huge asset.
A Choice Adviser is completely independent from all schools.
A Choice Adviser will not try to influence your decision and they cannot guarantee a place in your chosen school.
But, by providing useful information and support, they can help you to make the best decision on school choices for your child.
What help can I get?
The Choice Adviser can:
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Help you to understand and fill in the school admission application form.
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Talk to you one on one, either on the phone or by appointment.
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Hold drop in sessions at schools or in the community, for you and other parents/carers.
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Research information for parents/carers about schools.
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Collect information on different schools, such as school prospectuses, term dates, times of the school day, performance and other data, school specialisms, as well as special needs facilities in schools.
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Give information and advice on how admission policies work and the difference between Voluntary Aided (Church) schools and Community schools.
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Provide application numbers for previous years for secondary schools.
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Advise you about uniform policies and transport arrangements.
I live outside Gateshead, can the Choice Adviser still help me?
Gateshead’s Choice Adviser service is only available to parents who live in Gateshead. If you live outside Gateshead, you will have to seek advice from the Choice Adviser of the council where you live.