Will I still go to school?
Yes, your education is really important. Going to school is a big part of developing and growing up. It may not seem important now but a good education will help you when you are ready to get a job, go to college or perhaps go to university.
While you are living with your foster carer or in your Children's Home you will be allocated an Education Programme Worker who will support you with any issues around school. You will also have a Personal Education Plan. You will have a big say in this and everyone involved will commit to help you with your learning. This will be written with yourself, your teachers, your Education Programme Worker, your social worker, carers and parents.
Do I have to go to school?
Yes, parents, carers and Social Workers have a duty to make sure young people are attending school and that they are encouraging and supporting young people to learn.
Will I go to the same school?
Where possible you will not have to move school. However, sometimes you may need to go to a different school because of where you will be living. If you do need to change school we will make sure you have all the help and support that you need.
I'm finding school really hard what can I do?
Some young people have problems with school work, sometimes it might be too hard, sometimes too easy, sometimes there might be too much homework, or too much pressure to do well in exams.
If you are finding school a struggle then you should tell an adult. Either speak to your carer, your parents, your Social Worker or a teacher. They will not laugh at you, they will try and help you.
How do I get permission to go on school trips?
When you go on a school trip for a day or longer your school will need to have consent for you to go on the trip. We will usually get permission from your parents for you to go on the trip. However sometimes we cannot do this. This might be because you do not have contact with your parents anymore or because the school need consent very quickly. If this is the case then the Council will ask a Manager who works for Children's Social Care to give consent for you to go on the trip.
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What happens when I'm old enough to leave school?
When you reach 16 and have taken your GCSE's you will have a decision to make. You can either stay on in the sixth form at school, go to college, or find a job. If you decide to stay on or go to college you will be able to choose from a range of courses and subjects to learn from. If you do well enough in these courses you will be able to go to university or get a good job.
You will be entitled to some extra money whilst you are in the sixth form or at college. This is called the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and could be up to £30 per week. This money will not affect any other money or benefits you get. For further information on EMA's speak to your Social Worker, Leaving Care Personal Adviser, teacher, an advisor at Connexions, or visit DirectGov for more information.
Whatever you decide you will have advice and support all along the way. If you would like to speak to somebody about staying on, going to college, choosing subjects, going to university or finding a job you can contact Connexions, your Social Worker or the Pathway Team Personal Adviser. Connexions offer confidential advice, support and information for 13-19 year olds.
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Bullying is aggressive behaviour that is meant to scare or upset other people. People do this by teasing, ignoring, pushing, hitting, kicking or ruining someone else's things. Sometimes this behaviour is just playful between friends. However, when this kind of behaviour carries on and on, and involves picking on someone who can't stand up for themselves, this is bullying. And this can become very upsetting for everyone concerned.
For more information on bullying and how to cope with it take a look at the websites below:
www.bullying.co.uk
www.kidscape.org.uk
I'm being bullied, what should I do?
You need to tell someone what is going on!
Something will be done to stop the bullying. Schools can do a lot to stop bullying happening. All schools should have a clear policy on bullying. If you don't feel happy telling a teacher then speak to your carer, parent or Social Worker. They may need to speak to the school to discuss how to stop the bullying. If you do not want to speak to your teacher, carer or Social Worker then you can speak to somebody at the Children and Young People's Participation Team.
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