Schools Guide

Schools by County

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Foreword

When we in the Forces take the decision to send our children to boarding schools, there are always doubts. Will the school we have chosen provide the stability that we believe our children requiremore

Introduction

"We in the Services have three options: our children have a disruptive education; we board; or we live apart from our families. None of these is ideal for most people". Such was a recent indictment of the choice facing Service parents starting to educate theirmore

Articles

The Education of Service Children - the boarding option - Introduction Service Children's Education (SCE) CEAS

Children's Education Advisory Service (CEAS) The Continuity of Education Allowance (Boarding) Childcare voucher scheme CEA Eligibility certificate application process Specific learning difficulties

Boarding?

Boarding Or Day? Boarding Or Day? - The Pros and Cons Boarding School Inspections

Choosing a School

Selecting a School Difficult choices, but help is at hand The challenges facing parents who work overseas School Visits - Questions & Answers League tables - best used as only one of a series of factors League tables - what else should parents be looking for?

Government Funded Boarding Schools

Ministry of Defence funded schools Queen Victoria School (Scotland) Welbeck - The Defence Sixth Form College What A Gem - 35 State Boarding Schools Boarding School - not likely

Boarding at an Independent School

The merits of boarding at an Independent School Choosing an Independent School is a very personal process The case for continuity The moral and spiritual climate in a boarding community The extra-curricular challenge Duke of Edinburugh Award Scheme Former pupil, former parent provides a sporting perspective School sport Housemasters - with the benefit of a Service background

Types of boarding School

The advantages of starting boarding in a Preparatory School In loco parents The Preparatory School Parent partnership What the pupils and parents think Single-sex or co-Education? The pros and cons Equal, but different Why girls' schools rock 'The key is the child and what the child will want' Having it all Strong role models in boys boarding schools Single-sex education, then and now The advantages of choosing a diamond school

Specialist Schools

Special schools - nurturing special talents and abilities Special educational needs and additional needs An independent specialist provision school An Independent Specialist Needs School

The Sixth Form

Sixth-form choices - the threats to the gold standard The sixth-form examinations - the choice

Whatever next?

Whatever next? University applications and gap years Why global volunteering could be the best gap year option The University and Colleges Admission Service

Overseas

Overseas schools

Pupils and parents

The pupils The parents

Paying the fees

Paying the school fees ranks second only to paying one’s mortgage and, as such, this is a real attention-grabbing subject. Sending a child off to a fee-paying school means not only a major financial 2006: more

Special Awards

Looking specifically at grants and awards for children of those in the Armed Forces the ISBI lists some 200 schools. The following list has been specifically researched from the Independent more

From the editor

Ian Jones' career includes eleven years as Head Master of Bedford School, two years as the Director of Studies at Britannia Royal Naval College more

Useful information

 

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Service personnel in receipt of Continuity of Education Allowance(Boarding) may also be able to claim an additional allowance if their child had been diagnosed as having a specific learning difficulty or dyslexia. The Special Educational Needs Addition (SENA) is payable for necessary extra tuition in English Language & Literacy and/or Maths, for a specific period. Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) There are various types of learning difficulties that inhibit the development of a child’s literacy, and sometimes numeracy, skills. These difficulties can include dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia. A child with specific learning difficulties can perform at average or above average level generally, yet have significant difficulties in gaining literacy and numeracy skills. This can in some cases cause frustration, which can result in emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Taking action

If you think your child has a specific learning difficulty, you should talk first to his or her class teacher and find out what support your child is receiving. If the independent boarding school recommends extra tuition, and the school is to make a charge for this, then you will have to arrange for an assessment to be carried out privately (for which there will be a charge) by a qualified educational psychologist (EP) who is independent of the school. Schools or Local Education Authorities (LEAs) (who provide a consultancy service) can provide names of suitable EPs. Your local library may also hold a list. The EP will carry out a number of tests to measure a range of skills, such as word recognition, spatial awareness, short- and long-term memory, visual perception, and so on. These tests will identify strengths and weaknesses in your child’s learning, and provide the basis for designing an appropriate teaching programme that the school can follow.

Applying for SENA

If your child is in a boarding school and is diagnosed as having a specific learning difficulty you can apply to Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS) for SENA.

Your initial application should be forwarded to CEAS enclosing a copy of the EP’s report, which must be less than 18 months old, details of the boarding school and any other supporting documentation. If your child qualifies for the award you will be issued with a certificate. The certificate should be attached to your Continuity of Education (Boarding) claim form and presented to your Pay Office. This certificate will also state if the cost of the EP’s report can also be reclaimed.

If your child does not qualify for SENA, the cost of the EP’s report cannot be reclaimed, nor the costs of any extra tuition. For new claimants with children at a boarding school, SENA is payable for a maximum of two years. If, after that time, the learning difficulty persists you may be eligible to move your child to a specialist school that continues to attract SENA. You should seek advice from CEAS.

If your child goes to a specialist boarding school (CEAS can advise you of these) you can claim SENA for as long as the child attends the school and the need exists.

Statements of special educational needs

If your child has a statement of special educational needs issued by an LEA, and you wish your child to attend an independent boarding school, you may still be eligible for SENA, but parents should talk to CEAS first.

Renewing SENA

At the end of one year a detailed special needs report is required in order for us to assess that the need for extra tuition still exists.

A copy of this report from the school SENCO should be sent to CEAS. If the learning difficulty continues, a SENA certificate will be issued for a second year. The certificate should again be forwarded to your Pay Office.

For children attending specialist schools, CEAS may request a further EP report for a renewal of the certificate. The cost of this report will be refundable.

You should be aware that the SENA is constantly under review by MoD and must not be regarded as an ongoing educational subsidy but a support for a special educational need while the need exists. CEAS can provide specialist advice and assistance on many aspects of education.