School Admissions for Ukrainian Refugees - Message from Chris Foster, DfE
All children living in the UK have a right to access a school in England, irrespective of their nationality. This is made clear on this: website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schools-admissions-applications-fromoverseas-children .
It says:
‘School admission authorities must not refuse to admit a child on the basis of their nationality or immigration status nor remove them from roll on this basis.’
The School Admissions Code applies to their (refugees from Ukraine) admission to school in exactly the same way as it does to all other children.
Local authorities have a duty under section 86(1A) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to support local parents in choosing schools. We therefore look to LAs to support refugees with:
- info on where schools have vacancies; and
- how to apply; and
- to promulgate the advice in the Welcome Pack below to refugees.
Schools’ admission arrangements apply in the normal way. When parents apply for a school place, the School Admissions Code states that admission authorities should aim to notify parents of the outcome of an application for a school within 10 school days and that they must do so within 15 school days. Where there are no school places within a reasonable distance of the child’s home, the LA should use its fair access protocol to place them within 20 school days.
There is a Welcome Pack for refugees from the Ukraine and annex A to that pack provides advice for parents on navigating the English school admissions system. Please make refugee families aware of this advice and assist them in applying for a place.
Read here more information.