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Moving to Oxford Guide
Children in the UK
Finding schools and applying for places
Children have to start full time schooling in Oxford during the term after their fifth birthday, although many schools offer full time places a term earlier than this, and part-time places even earlier than that. In 2006 the application procedure for schools in Oxford, changed. Applications for a place in September now have to be submitted in the previous November. If you apply after this, you can apply for a ‘late place’, but you may find that some schools have already allocated all of their places. Details of the application procedure can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council's website.
You can apply to send your child to your local school or to a school in a different catchment area from the one you live in, provided, of course, that the school has a place available. The council will have to find your child a place at a school within the city, if your local school is full. State schools, on the whole, are good in Oxford. One colleague recently remarked at the end of her visit, that she would not have worried so much over the choice of school, had she realised that for 12 month, her child would have benefitted from being in almost any school in the city.
Special education for students with special needs.
One colleague mentioned that parents with children needing any kind of extra help have to start negotiating it earlier and hard, since it is not “institutionalized” as in the US and maybe other countries. In the UK, special provision for students is provided in many mainstream schools, and some specialist units, but usually first requires a child to be “statemented” (formally assessed) by education psychologists or other relevant experts. You can either apply directly to the Local Authority (Oxfordshire) for them to find you a school place to meet your needs, or you can apply to the school of your choice. Do let us know if you need further details or assistance.
The school system
All state schools are inspected by Offsted inspectors, who provide reports on the strengths and weaknesses of the schools. The reports can usually be seen on the school website. We can also put you in touch with parents at many of the city schools for a less formal view.
UK schools use the following system of naming years. A child who is a ‘rising 5 – ie aged 4 but due to be 5 during this academic year, will go into a class known as ‘reception’. A rising 6 will go into year one, etc – see table below.
Areas of learning are prescribed by a National Curriculum, which is divided into four ‘Keystages’. All state schools must follow the National Curriculum. Independent schools do not have to, although many choose to do so.
The key examinations taken by students are GCSEs, usually at the end of year 11, and A levels at the end of the Upper Sixth. Some schools are now choosing to offer the International Baccalaureate instead of A levels.
| Child's age | School Year | National Curriculum Area |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4 | Nursery or foundation minus 1 | Preschool |
| 5 | Reception or foundation year | Keystage 1 |
| 6 | Year 1 | Keystage 1 |
| 7 | Year 2 | Keystage 1 |
| 8 | Year 3 | Keystage 2 |
| 9 | Year 4 | Keystage 2 |
| 10 | Year 5 | Keystage 2 |
| 11 | Year 6 | Keystage 2 |
| 12 | Year 7 | Keystage 3 |
| 13 | Year 8 | Keystage 3 |
| 14 | Year 9 | Keystage 3 |
| 15 | Year 10 | Keystage 4 |
| 16 | Year 11 | Keystage 4 |
| 17 | Year 12 | Sixth Form |
| 18 | Year 13 | Sixth Form |
Independent (fee paying) schools
There are also many good independent schools in Oxford, probably best located via the web.
Holiday care
There is a growing range of camps and daytime activities in Oxford that are available providing childcare in the school holidays. Details from the "Oxford for the Under Eights" book, or from Jo.Curtis@eci.ox.ac.uk
Childcare for under fives
All children, from the term after their third birthday, are entitled to five half-day sessions of free childcare (ie. 5 x 2.5 hrs). Many schools also run nurseries on the same site, so it is possible to enrol younger children in school nurseries, starting around their third birthday – whether or not they have siblings in the school.
Alternatively, there are many playgroups (less formal than schools, often asking for an element of parental help – once a month or so) or private nurseries, which will allow you to use your free childcare, but also to buy extra hours. Oxford has a network of Montessori nurseries and one Montessori school for students aged 5-16, for those who are interested.
The University has three excellent nurseries, offering subsidised places, which are extremely good value. They are, of course, heavily oversubscribed and applications need to be made early to the university.
Children's clothing
American visitors have commented that shoes are much more expensive here than in the US, so you may wish to buy the next size up that your kids will be needing. You may want to think about winter gear and raincoats as well.
Winter!
In December in the UK, it gets dark around 4pm so indoor activities for the children are crucial. There are toy libraries that you can use – details again in the “Oxford for the Under Eights”. Charity shops are also very useful for second hand books/toys/clothing – Headington is a wonderful area to visit for charity shops.
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