Relocating families: Finding a school place in the UK during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a period of enormous change and uncertainty in most countries throughout the world. In many locations including the UK, children and young people were forced to experience the sudden and unexpected closure of schools, colleges, and universities quite early in the pandemic. Consequently, students (and their teachers) had to adapt to a new way of life very quickly - whatever that looked like, whether that be learning by ‘Zoom’ or specialised online platform, by parental home schooling or in some cases, receiving no education at all.
In the UK the good news is that from the beginning of September 2020, all schools opened up in full following the Government’s decision to make sure all students in the UK were back to full time compulsory education, or to their further or higher education courses depending on their age. The timing was based on the premise that schools, colleges and universities should be adapted to provide a system of study that mitigated as far as possible the risks of transmitting the virus.
Schools have also put into place contingency plans should a local or national lockdown occur in the future.
Since the return of school children at the start of this academic year, staff have tried to provide new, familiar routines quickly, providing a sense of community and re-establishing something that is a secure and constant in children and young people’s lives. Staff were asked to provide a ‘settling back in period’ to reconnect with teachers, friends and the environment, recognising that It may take time for all children to get back into a routine and adjust to life back at their school. For those arriving in the country through relocation, it could not have been a better more supported time to move children into their new UK school. New beginnings for everybody!
School searches in the ‘New Normal’.
Of course, for families looking to be relocated to the UK with children of any age, the worry about schooling in the context of the Covid pandemic is likely to add an extra layer of anxiety to the move.
Having early conversations with relocating families ahead of departure from the ‘home’ country has been key to allaying any concerns. Being able to talk through the school search process and offering reassurance around how the ‘new normal’ is working within UK education really does help. In addition, giving advice based on local knowledge around quarantining on arrival (should that be necessary) helps families to prepare and also manages expectations.
Virtual visits.
Because ‘window shopping’ school visits may not always be possible, we have been keen to provide parents with as much of a virtual experience around any prospective new school, as we can. In fact, Educatus has encouraged many schools to set up virtual tours if they didn’t already have them in place, and most will offer virtual school visits and meetings.
In the case of private schools where children may need to be tested or sit examinations, we have been able to set up virtual video assessments and interviews for children where required as well as opportunities for parents to speak with senior staff. All of this can help to narrow down the schooling options before a family arrives, or while they are in a quarantine situation, but it doesn’t take away the importance of the final ‘in person’ visit for parents, once they have narrowed down their schooling options. Schools are generally cautious but happy to receive visitors now, if they know they are seriously considering their school, and preference is usually for a parent or parents only if possible.
Some parents have found things look a little more normal here than where they have come from and are relieved to find schools up and running. When our consultants have been speaking to families over the past couple of months, they have found that schooling looks very different elsewhere in the world and as a result expectation vary. Families in the US are now assessing the performance of their children’s schooling by the quality and effectiveness of their online learning platforms, and this is not just for top private schools, but also in relation to the public sector where in many cases, children are given a choice to attend school or learn online. In stark contrast school closures elsewhere in the globe, have been announced by polite notice on the school gate, followed by a short letter from the Government stating that the academic year will now be written-off!
Managing timelines.
Over the last few months in the UK, school placements have been a mixture of both the state and private sector. Because Private schooling is easier to arrange at a distance, many assignees have been tempted to follow that route. Arrangements can be started whilst the family is still in its present home country. Many parents will also consider a private school as a back-up option, and try a state application when they actually arrive and can apply by law.
Because of Covid, many UK local councils have employees working from home so communication via normal channels has been slower than usual. Added to this many council education departments have waited for schools to return for the beginning of 2020/21 academic year before offering places, causing quite a delay in placements. This has now eased, so for any new families arriving between now and the end of the academic year placements in UK state schools should be a little more straight forward. In fact, we are finding that the Head Teachers of most state schools are happy to have a family tour their school if they have actually applied for a place.
If you are looking for advice or guidance around relocating any of your employees with children. Do get in touch. Educatus has plenty of tips and ideas to make for a smooth transition during this time.
Sarah Teasdale, Lead Consultant at Educatus
sarahteasdale@educatus.org.uk
