Schools and adoption

All children who are adopted should be able to attend whichever school is best for their needs

Admissions

Schools are asked to give all children who are adopted from care priority access to schools, which means that your child should be able to attend whichever school you think best meets their needs.

You can find out more about how to apply from Cumberland Council school admissions or Westmorland & Furness Council school admissions

Pupil Premium

School aged children are eligible for the pupil premium, an additional £1,900 every year for state funded schools to help meet the educational needs of adopted children. You will need to inform your child's school that they are adopted in order to receive this.

Free Early Education for two-year-olds

If your child is 2 years old you can take up the offer of a free early education place. You will need to be referred by a professional such as a children's centre worker. If your child is:

in receipt of the early education entitlement, and
was adopted from the local authority care or left care under a special guardianship order or child arrangements order.

Your child's early education provider can claim the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).

The EYPP is worth an extra £300 per child and is paid to early education providers to improve the quality of provision for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

If your child is eligible to attract the EYPP and is accessing the early education entitlement, let your early education provider know.

You will be asked to provide evidence of your child's status, such as a copy of the adoption order.

Further information about the EYPP can be found at Gov.uk where there is also guidance for childcare providers.

Cumbria Virtual School

Cumbria Virtual School is responsible for raising the educational standards of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Children Looked After (CLA).

The Virtual School team works with schools that CLA are attending to ensure they reach their full educational potential and go on to succeed in their adult lives.

The Virtual School also provides information and advice to parents and carers, educators and other professionals of previously looked after children.

The schools aims are:

Ensure all CLA make good progress from their starting points
Ensure every CLA has a high quality Personal Educational Plan (PEP) which sets out the actions and support to be provided
Provide advice to schools on effective use of the Pupil Premium Plus for CLA
Improve the attendance of any CLA where this is a problem
Reduce exclusions for CLA
Deliver training to schools, designated teachers, carers, children's services personnel and other partner agencies
Be a source of advice and information for parents and educators of previously looked after children

Read more about the work of the Virtual School in the latest Virtual School Annual Report (PDF 153kb)

Virtual School for children looked after | Westmorland and Furness Council

Virtual School for children looked after | Cumberland Council