Education

Choosing the right education for your child

From nursery through to school, college or university, choosing the right education for your child can seem like a daunting process – but expert help is at hand.

Parentsintouch.co.uk is an excellent starting point packed with educational resources and information to help you make an informed choice. And once your child is at school, you’ll also find plenty of helpful advice on the various Key Stage tests and other examinations like KS1, KS2, KS3, GSCE's, AS levels and A-Levels.

Here at Nene Online we’ve included some other information which may help you in your choice of school:

The different school systems explained - East Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire & Cambridgeshire

In some parts of East Northamptonshire, schools operate on a thee tier system (primary schools from 4-9 years, middle schools from 9-13 years and secondary schools from 13- 18 years).

In Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, primary schools normally take children from 4 - 11 years old with secondary schools taking pupils from 11 -18 years old.

The County Councils in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire are responsible for allocating places at Community and Voluntary Controlled schools. For Voluntary Aided schools and Foundation schools, it is the governors who decide the allocation of places so you will need to apply to the schools direct.

Here’s a brief description of the different state education available in East Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire:

Community schools: These are run by the local authority and aim to develop strong links with the local community as well as providing services like childcare and adult learning classes. The local authority owns the land and buildings and also sets out the admissions criteria.

Foundation & Trust schools: Introduced in summer 2007, Foundation & Trust Schools are run by individual governing bodies which employ staff and set the admissions criteria. They also tend to own their own land and sometimes have a charitable trust in place with an external partner e.g. a business or educational charity.

Voluntary Aided schools: These are normally religious schools (e.g. Catholic or Church of England). A governing body employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria while the buildings and land are usually owned by a charitable (often religious) foundation.

Voluntary Controlled schools: These are similar to Voluntary Aided Schools but are run by the local authority who employs the staff and sets the admissions criteria. The buildings and land are usually owned by a charitable (often religious) foundation.

Special Schools: Special Schools follow the National Curriculum but focus on a specialist subject area e.g. technology, business, sport and so on.

In addition there are City Technology Colleges (independently managed, non-fee paying schools for children between 11 and 18 years) geared towards science, technology and vocational qualifications, Community and Foundation Schools (for children with special needs), Faith Schools, Grammar Schools and Maintained Boarding Schools.

If you’re considering a state education for your child but are unsure which type of school to choose or how to apply for a place, your local authority in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire or Lincolnshire is the ideal place to start.

Thinking of going independent?

Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire boasts some of the finest fee-paying independent schools in the country, many taking children from as young as 3 years old. Some independent schools are boarding schools, others are day schools while some are combined boarding / day schools. You can also choose between single sex schools or co-educational.

Independent (or private) schools tend to benefit from smaller class sizes which can mean more individual attention for your child. Many independent schools are now run as Charitable Trusts under the direction of a Board of Governors.

The best starting point if you’re considering independent education for your child is either via the school direct (ask to see a copy of their prospectus or for a tour round the school; private schools also have regular open days when prospective parents are invited to view the school) – or via the Independent Schools Council (ISC) web page.

Some independent schools offer academic scholarships or bursaries which can help with school fees. Entry is normally selective, via an 11+ examination or the 13+ Common Entrance examination.

Private or extra tuition

If you find your child is struggling with their education especially reading, maths or 11+ & 13+ entrance examinations - or your child requires extra tuition for assessment papers for entry to independent schools - you could consider hiring a private tutor.

Private tutors teach a broad range of subjects from primary or prep school level through secondary or senior school upwards and can often give your child that extra individual support they need.

Further & Higher education

In this section, you will also find information on sixth form colleges, Further Education (FE) and HE (Higher Education) colleges for children 16 years and over plus Universities and Adult Education in the East Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire area.

We have also separated the Adults and Children's courses into three different counties (Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire) to help with your search for a suitable course. (Please see the above categories).

Nene Online

Education

http://www.neneonline.co.uk

21:42 10-Sep-2010