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Q 1
I’m moving into the Bournemouth area and I need to get my son into a Primary school, what do I need to do?
If you are moving into the Bournemouth area you should first contact the Customer Services Team at the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL, for the appropriate application form, information and guidance about the procedure to be followed. The LEA cannot offer a place at a school until contracts have been exchanged or a tenancy agreement signed.
Q 2
How do I apply for the Necessitous Clothing Grant?
From the 1st April 2007, Bournemouth Authority will no longer have a clothing grant scheme.
Schools will decide whether to continue providing a clothing grant scheme for their own pupils. Schools will therefore be responsible for setting and administering their own clothing policy, should they choose to have one. For further information, please contact your child’s school.
Q 3
My child is unhappy at his/her school. I would like to transfer him/her to another School in Bournemouth. What do I need to do?
If you wish your child to change school for any reason, you should first speak to the headteacher of your child’s current school to discuss any concerns that you may have. This authority firmly believes that continuity and stability in a child’s education is very important and that a change of school should only be made if it is deemed to be in your child’s best interests. If after speaking to the headteacher you still wish your child to transfer schools you should email the One Stop Information Service or telephone (01202) 456223, alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL for the appropriate form and guidance on the procedure.
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Q 4
I am going to be studying full time at University next year towards a degree. Can you tell me how I get a student loan and help with my tuition fees?
Application forms are available either from the One Stop Information Service or from the
DfES Student Support web site. This form must be completed and returned to the One Stop Information Service or the Student Support Team at Dorset House with relevant identification, which has been requested (Birth Certificate or Passport). If you have any queries regarding your application form then you can contact the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL and they will be happy to help you.
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Q 5
I have a child of 18 months. I need to go back to work either full time or part time to help pay for my childcare costs. Where can I obtain information regarding childcare, I would prefer to send my child to a nursery if possible?
The Children’s Information Service can offer you information on local childcare provision in the Bournemouth area. They offer information and guidance on Pre-schools, Nurseries, Childminders, Holiday and Out of School Clubs, Crèches and Parent and Toddler Groups. You can either call them on (01202) 456222 or visit them at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road , Bournemouth, BH1 3NL.
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Q 6
My child has a Special Educational Need, he has been statemented, and I would like to know what support is available for him?
There is a lot of support available for all children with Special needs. Depending on the needs of the child, support can be given through a range of services:
Psychology and Behaviour Support Services
Learning Support Service
Bournemouth Learning Support Centre
Hearing and Vision Support Service
Speech and Language Therapy Services
Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services
Specialist equipment and materials are provided where there is an identified need.
For further information please contact:
The Customer Services Team, One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL.
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Q 7
How do I apply for Free School Meals?
Application forms for Free School Meals are available from the One Stop Information Service. Contact the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL for further information. You can also view/download the form below.
Free School Meals Application Form (a 'pdf' file for you to print off then complete by hand and return).
The address to return forms is:
Student Support
Children's Services
Dorset House
20-22 Christchurch Road
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH1 3NL.
You are required to provide up-to-date evidence of the benefit(s) you receive, i.e. no more than 3 months old. If you are applying under the Child Tax Credit criteria you must provide a copy of the full notification letter.
Q 8
How can I apply for help with Transport to school?
To apply for help with transport to school, you need to complete an application form which is available from the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL. It is only in some cases that the Local Authority can offer help. To be eligible for assistance with transport to school you have to meet a certain criteria. This criteria is stated on the information sheet provided with the application form.
The form needs to be completed and returned to the Admissions Team, Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL.
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Q 9
I would like to educate my child at home. What is the procedure I need to take?
If you have chosen this route of education for your child/ren, there are procedures that have to be followed. You need to register with the Local Authority. The registration form is available from the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL. There is an information sheet provided which informs you of the legal procedures which need to be followed, what is involved and what happens after your application form has been submitted.
Please also download this booklet - Elective Home Education (EHE) - (a pdf file format) which contains information for parents/carers and is designed to help you understand what may be involved if you decide (or have already decided) to educate your child outside the school system. It has been put together to explain some of the situations which may arise, and the policies of the Local Authority (LA).
If you have further questions about educating children other than at school, please contact the LA’s Admissions Services Team, who can be contacted on (01202) 456200.
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Q 10
I have not been offered the school place I wanted. What can I do?
If you are unsuccessful in your application for a school place, you have the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel for a place at the school. Full and detailed information about the appeal process, including a leaflet, is available from the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL.
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Q 11
Can you tell me where I can obtain the latest Ofsted reports and performance tables?
Reports can be obtained through the Ofsted website. If you do not have access to the internet your local library will. You can obtain performance tables from the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL.
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Q 12
My child is being bullied at school, what can I do?
Firstly you need to discuss the problem with the headteacher of your child’s school who should be able to help you. If you are not happy with the outcome after you have discussed the problem you can speak to the Education Welfare Officer of the school or to the Education Welfare Department at Dorset House on (01202) 456179.
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Q 13
I’m an adult and I would like to return to education and develop my IT skills. Where can I get some information?
The Adult Learning Centre will be able to offer a variety of courses available for you to study IT. You can contact them on (01202) 557131 and they will be able to give you any relevant information. They offer evening classes and daytime classes. The Bournemouth and
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Q 14
My child would like to work during the summer holidays for a bit of extra pocket money. I believe she will need a work permit. Where can I apply for one of these?
You can obtain a work permit application form via the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk, download the form here - Employment Permit Application Form - or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL. The form must be completed by the employer, the child’s parent/guardian and the child’s headteacher and returned to the Child Employment and Performance Officer, Education Welfare Services, Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL.
For more information on the ages/hours that a child can work, or Performance Licences, or Chaperone/Matron Applications - please click this link - Child Employment, Performance and Chaperones.
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Q 15
What is the minimum age I can leave my child at home on their own?
There is no minimum age that your child can be left at home on their own. It is the parents/guardians decision of whether they think their child is mature enough to be left at home on their own. When making the decision, parents must be aware that if their child is left at home on their own and an accident occurs they maybe challenged regarding their decision.
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Q 16
My child will be turning three next month. He attends a nursery in Bournemouth. I have heard there is funding available to help pay for childcare costs. Please can you tell me about bthis funding and how I can apply for it?
The Nursery Education Grant is funding provided by the Government to ensure that pre-school children have access to good quality early years education. Nationally all four year olds are funded, three year old funding will depend on each local authorities distribution of the grant. Bournemouth are able to fund all three year olds.
All children living in Bournemouth are eligible the term following their third birthday until they get to compulsory school age. The child must be attending a childcare setting that is registered to provide early years education.
The child is entitled to five free 2 ½ hour sessions of early education per week for 11 weeks in each term.
Parents need to complete a form which can be obtained through the nursery their child attends.
Further information about the grant itself can be viewed or downloaded here:
Nursery Education Grant - Fact Sheet 7 (pdf)
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Q 17
I would like to apply for a school outside of the Borough. How can I do this?
To apply for a school outside of the Bournemouth area, you will need to complete an application form through the relevant Local Authority. For applying for a school in the Dorset area you need to contact Dorset Authority on (01305) 224405, for the Poole area you need to contact (01202) 261936 and for the Hampshire area (01962) 841841.
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Q 18
Please can you tell me the term and holiday dates for the next year?
The school term and holiday dates are available from the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL or they can be viewed via our website
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Q 19
My child is starting 6 th Form college in September. Is there any funding to help towards paying for books and equipment?
You must contact the college your child will be attending to ask if your child is eligible for Learner Support Funding.
Discretionary Funds are also available from Bournemouth Borough Council to provide financial help to students who are in the greatest need. You will need to meet specific criteria, details of which and an application form are available from the One Stop Information Service on (01202) 456223, e-mail us at cs@bournemouth.gov.uk or alternatively visit the service at Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NL.
Q 20
I would like to become a childminder in the Bournemouth area. What do I need to do?
Please contact the Childcare Recruitment helpline (01202) 456393 who will send you the necessary information, discuss details with you and advise the date of the next pre-registration course.
I am worried about how I can help my children get to and from school each day.
The Authority can help in some cases. The information on this page 'Help With Transport Costs?' will give you advice about who can claim for assistance with transport to school.
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Where can I find information about the various key stages test dates?
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) website maintains and develops the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations; and accredits and monitors qualifications in colleges and at work. The site has information about the various key stages and test dates:
Key stage 2 Assessment Timetable
Key stage 3 Assessment Timetable
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| Contact details | |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth Council | |
| Children & Families Services | |
| One Stop Information Service, Dorset House, 20-22 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3NL | |
| Tel: 01202 456223 | |
| Fax: 01202 456191 | |
| Email: Children & Families Services | |