So far, over 300 children aged 2-18 have applied for visas via the Homes for Ukraine scheme to come to live in Suffolk. In addition, unknown numbers of children are also coming to the county via the Family Visa scheme.

We are aware that many education settings are now receiving pupils, or enquiries about places, for Ukrainian refugees.

These families are entitled to a school place and must be given an opportunity to apply, even if the year group is full. Their hosts are encouraged to help them with the application process as the family may not speak English. 

In line with colleagues across the region and in the absence of any alternative DfE guidance, we are following the normal in-year admission procedures. Therefore, applications should be made to the SCC School Admissions Team for community and voluntary controlled schools, and to academies and voluntary aided schools directly.

The Fair Access Protocol will apply if there are no places available in a particular area and will be applied by the Local Authority. However, we will not be able to place a child in a key stage 1 class if it already has 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher, unless a permitted exception applies.

As government have stated that there is no upper limit on the number of Ukrainian refugees who can come to the UK, we do not know how many will choose to come to the county. Also, as the locations are dependent on where host families are, we are not able to manage where pupils will be living in terms of pressures on school places.

The normal school travel arrangements will apply. A child will be eligible for funded school travel if they are attending the nearest suitable school to their home with a place available, where the distance from home to school is over the statutory walking distance. If a family is refused funded school travel, they will be able to follow the review and appeals procedure as detailed in the policy.

There will be some grant funding to EYFS and schools on a per pupil basis for those pupils who arrive via the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the Family Visa scheme. Once you have accepted a child onto your roll, please email [email protected] and we will get back to you about the available funding as the amounts vary depending on the visa status of the pupil.

Please direct Parents/Hosts to the Admissions Team:

Phone: 0345 600 0981 (local rate) (Language Line available to support families)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions

Refugee resources for schools

Please find the resources, created by the Education Psychology Team, in the link below to support you in your work with refugees in education.

Refugees, war and conflict | Suffolk County Council

EAL Network Meetings (virtual) will take place half termly throughout the year on the following dates:

17th May 2022

13th July 2022

All at the usual time of 3.45pm – 5.15pm

We would especially like to encourage colleagues from schools who have not attended before.

EAL Specialist Leaders in Education (SLE)

There are two EAL SLE’s available to support/coach school staff (leaders/teachers/support staff/groups) for full/half day sessions, bespoke to individual school’s EAL priorities and requirements.  These can be purchased at a cost of £350 full day £175 half day. 

Please email [email protected] FAO Emily Gough for further information regarding the EAL Network meetings and EAL SLEs.