EDUCATION

Education is devolved to the Scottish Government, and Scotland has its own curriculum. It is the right of every child, and also a legal requirement, for children to be provided with a school education. All children under the age of 16 are legally required to attend school.

For more information about Education in the city of Aberdeen you can click here.

EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE (ELC)

WHAT IS EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE (ELC)?

All 3 and 4 year olds, including those who are displaced, refugees and asylum seekers, are eligible for 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare (ELC) per year, funded by the Scottish Government and local authorities. In the case of child younger than 2 years, they can receive funded ELC if they are looked after by a local council, or subject of a kinship care order or a guardianship order, or if their parent or carer is receiving certain benefits. Keep in mind that this is under the assessment of the local authorities.

The eligible hours are distributed as 30 hours a week if you use it during school term-time, or around 22 hours a week if you use it year round. A meal is included with funded ELC.

You can access funded ELC at nurseries, childminders, or playgroups – or a mix of these, depending in what is available near your home. You do not need to use the full 1140 hours.

ELC IN ABERDEENSHIRE

Local authorities are responsible for providing funded ELC to eligible children within their area. In the city of Aberdeen the information about the process of application and eligibility can be found through the website of Education and Childcare or through the website of Family Information Service.

Also, keep in mind that employer may also be able to help you to access Childcare Vouchers through a salary sacrifice scheme.

Education: Donate

SCHOOLS (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY)

SCHOOL AGE AND STAGES

Scotland provides free school education for all children from the age of around 5 up to the age of 18. Children usually start school between the ages of 4 ½ and 5 ½, depending on when their birthday falls, and can either apply for a place in a school in their local catchment area or at another school.

APPLYING FOR A SCHOOL PLACE

Your local council is responsible for providing school education in the area you live. You can request a place at another school, but whether this request is granted depends on whether there are free places. The Councils use 'catchment areas' to decide where your child is given a place at school. A catchment area is an area around a single school. Any children who live in this area are given a place at the school.

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Children start in primary 1 and move up to the next class each year through to primary 7. All children in primaries 1 to 5 receive free school meals.

St_Machar_Academy_(geograph_1854170).jpg

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Secondary Schools are also known as Academies. The senior phase covers the final three years of secondary school (S4 to S6) when students can study for a range of awards and qualifications. Most young people will continue to learn in school, but, depending on learners’ needs and aspirations, there may be collaborative opportunities to study courses at a college or another higher education provider.
Schools, in collaboration with colleges and employers, have the flexibility to offer a range of experiences to meet the needs of all learners. Young people can also study a range of national and vocational qualifications and awards, including Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers, Foundation Apprenticeships and Skills for Work courses.

HIGHER EDUCATION, COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT (CLD) AND ADULT LEARNING

HIGHER EDUCATION COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT (CLD) AND ADULT LEARNING

Eligible full time students resident in Scotland – including EU resident students – pay no tuition fees. Some part-time students may have their fees waived. If students are taking a course at HNC level or above they should apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for help with funding.

In Aberdeen, the North East Scotland College is the local college for further education covering the North East of Scotland, and there are two main universities: University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University.

COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT (CLD)

CLD helps tackle inequality and delivering social justice. It includes youth work,
community based adult learning, including literacies and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and community development.
They provide young people, adults and families with an alternative trusted
relationship so that people can access non-judgmental support to re-engage in
education, in employment or in their community.

Community-based ESOL is delivered in a variety of ways;
• by local authorities
• third sector organisations
• colleges
• community-led organisations

MORE INFORMATION

https://education.gov.scot/education-scotland/scottish-education-system/cld/about-community-learning-and-development/

SCHOOL BENEFITS

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

If you live close to your local school,
usually your child would walk to school.
If your child attends primary school and
you live more than 2 miles away, your
child will be given free transport. For
children attending secondary school, you
must live more than 3 miles away from
your local secondary school to be entitled
to free transport. If your child does not
attend your local school because you
have made a placing request, then your
child will not qualify for free transport.

SCHOOL MEALS

All primary and special schools provide

lunches for all pupils. Pupils in P1-P3

receive free school meals in Scotland.

Aberdeenshire – https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info/meals/school-catering-service/

Aberdeen City – www.aberdeencity.gov.

uk/schoolmeals/

Moray - www.moray.gov.uk/moray_

standard/page_55540.html

CLOTHING GRANTS

Clothing grants can be available to some parents. To find out more visits:
Aberdeenshire - www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info/assistance/school-clothing-grants/
Aberdeen City- www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/school-life/apply-school-clothing-grant
Moray -
www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_55486.html

KEY WORDS

EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE

All 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare (ELC) per year, funded by the Scottish Government and local authorities. That works out at about 30 hours a week if you use it during school term-time, or around 22 hours a week if you use it year round. A nutritious meal is included with funded ELC.

SCHOOL STAGES (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY)

Scotland provides free school education for all children from the age of around 5 up to the age of 18. Scotland has different enrolment and school entry dates than other parts of the UK. Children usually start school between the ages of 4 ½ and 5 ½, depending on when their birthday falls, and can either apply for a place in a school in their local catchment area or at another school.
Children start in primary 1 and move up to the next class each year through to primary 7. All children in primaries 1 to 5 receive free school meals. Children move up to secondary school automatically after primary school (aged 11 or 12 depending on when they started school).

SCHOOL CATCHMENT AREA

Usually children attend their local primary or secondary school, but this depends on where you live. To find out which is your local school, you should contact your local council or visit www.mygov.scot/register-your-child-for-a-school/ .

Children under 5 years old can access early learning and childcare places. A child may attend a funded nursery place after their third birthday.

https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/find-school

PAENTS/GUARDIANS INVOLVEMENT

Usually the parent or guardian contacts the Head Teacher of their local school. If a parent or guardian needs an interpreter, it should be possible to provide one. If you want your child to attend your local school, you must make a placing request.
Application forms are available from schools and education offices.