We are aware that many education settings are receiving enquiries about places for Ukrainian refugees.
In line with colleagues across the region and in the absence of any alternative DfE guidance, we are following the 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. 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.
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.
We will review options for school transport, if needed, once we start to see where pupils are arriving and whether they can be placed in their local school or not.
There will be some grant funding to schools on a per pupil basis for those pupils who arrive via the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Once you have accepted a child onto your roll, please email [email protected] and we will get back to you about the funding. (Please note the email address in previous Suffolk Headlines was incorrect. The above is email is the correct address to use)
If you are accepting Ukraine refugees who have arrived via another route, please let us know by also emailing [email protected].
We will provide further updates as the scheme evolves. Please bear with us while we put processes in place.
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
Psychology and Therapeutic Service colleagues have recently completed training for Suffolk education settings in order to support staff with welcoming refugee children and families and helping children to understand and process events involving conflict.
EAL Network Meetings
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. Please email [email protected] FAO Emily Gough for meeting teams invite.
Podcast: Talking to your children about the Ukraine War
Talking to our Children about the war in Ukraine – Mental Health and You podcast – YouTube
As parents and families we are likely to have been shocked about the devastating situation in Ukraine. Our children will be having conversations with us and others and trying to make sense of what is happening. So how do we talk to our children, who may be different ages and temperaments about this war; in a manner which helps them make sense of what is happening whilst not disproportionately increasing anxieties? In this episode Dr Beth Mosley (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) both mother and mental health professional, talks with Dr Kelsey Odgers (Clinical Psychologist) and Kelly (mother of two) about these dilemmas and some of the mistakes they might have made as parents during this time.