Education
Children in Scotland
Library services for childrenIt is a parent’s responsibility to look after their children, protect them from harm, ensure that they are properly cared for, and ensure that they receive education. In Scotland, a child is anyone under the age of 16. Eligible children can have some free education, usually 12 1/2 hours per week for 38 weeks. The funding is paid directly to the pre-school centre for your child's registered number of sessions. There is no direct payment to parents. It is paid directly to the nursery/playgroups. Parents / carers are responsible for their children travelling to and from nursery provision. The link below gives details of birth dates when children will become eligible: Pre-school Enrolment Leaflet 2024-13 More information and a list of Playgroups, Day Nurseries and other groups can be found at The Highland Council Childcare Information Service:
Highland Childcare Information Service Children in Scotland have a right to a free place in school. Parents are legally responsible for ensuring that their children are educated and usually do this by sending their children to school. Some parents choose to educate their children at home or in private schools. Children normally start school in the August when they are aged between 4 ½ and 5 ½ years, and transfer to secondary school in the August when they are aged 11 ½ to 12 ½ years. Children must continue in education until they are aged 16. The majority of young people stay on at secondary school for up to a further 2 years until they are aged 18. To enrol children at a school in the area where you live you must contact the school’s head teacher. If you wish to enrol a child outside the area where you live you should contact the Area Education Manager: Caithness ECS Office Rhind House West Banks Avenue WICK, KW1 5LZ Telephone 01955 602 362 CSER Area ECS Office, Council Offices, Drummuie, GOLSPIE, KW10 6TA Telephone 01408 635338 ( ECS Area Manager – Open Plan Office ) Ross & Cromarty Area Education Office The Education Centre Castle Street DINGWALL, IV15 9HU Telephone 01349 863441 INBS Area ECS Office Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road INVERNESS, IV3 5NX Telephone 01463 702811 Skye & Lochalsh Area Education Office Elgin Hostel PORTREE Isle of Skye, IV51 9EE Telephone 01478 613697 Lochaber Area Education Office Camaghael Hostel Camaghael FORT WILLIAM, PH33 7NE Telephone 01397 707350 Help for families on a low income Families who have a very low income may be able to claim free lunches for their child at school and some assistance with school clothing. You will find more information here. This form is available in Polish . Or your Area Education Manager can tell you where you claim these. Schools can help pupils develop their English language skills. You can download and explanatory leaflet. Details of this Service can be found on the http://www.highland.gov.uk/learninghere/supportforlearners/specialist/englishasadditionallanguage/ Help with additional support needs Some children and young people require additional support to help them to learn in school. If you think that your child needs additional support you should discuss this with the head teacher of your child’s school. Pupils with additional support needs have a right to full-time education, usually in the child’s local school. A few children and young people attend specialist schools so that they can get the expert help they require. More information can be found on the Highland Council website at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/learninghere/supportforlearners/ Childcare If you need care for your child while you are at work, there are ‘Registered Childminders’, Nurseries and ‘Out of school services’ . For more information visit the Highland Childcare Information Service online or call the service on 01463 711 176. Their address is:
High Street Library services for children Pre-school children All young children get special free Bookbug packs at six weeks old, 18 months old, three years old and in their first year at primary school. This is to encourage all parents / carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible. Many libraries also hold Bookbug Rhyme time sessions which are fun for babies and their parents. You can also meet other parents in your neighbourhood. Contact your local library about the sessions. http://www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/libraries/yourlocallibrary/librariesmap.htm School age children Nearly all secondary schools have libraries and librarians to support school work. Branch libraries can also provide books and information to help with school homework and projects. These services are free, and there are many other activities for children. Just ask at your local library. Highland Libraries / in Polish |
