Last updated on: 22 February 2024
All children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old must attend primary education. Primary education is compulsory and takes place in a primary school. It is free of charge.
All children aged between 11 and 16 years old must attend secondary education or training. Secondary education is compulsory and takes place in a secondary school. It is free of charge.
Primary and secondary education is not affected by the immigration status of the child or parent. Your child can go to school, even if you have an immigration status with the ‘no recourse to public funds (NRPF)’ condition, or you are undocumented.
The school does not need to know the immigration status or nationality of a child. However, if you do not have a birth certificate from the UK for your child, the school may ask to see their passport or another ID document. This is to check the child’s correct name and date of birth.
More information about access to education is available on the Migrants’ Rights Network website.
The Bell Foundation also have information on how you can support your child at primary and secondary school in your own language.
Your child has the right to full-time primary education from the September following their 4th birthday.
You will need to contact your local council to find state-funded schools in your area and any entry criteria. You can also check online to find schools.
Each local authority is different, and you will need to follow their processes. You can apply for a primary school place; and for a secondary school place.
You must apply for a place even if the school is linked to your child’s current nursery, infant or primary school.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available in primary and secondary schools for children who are learning English.
State-funded schools in England are allocated additional funding for students whose first language is not English.
This support is not affected by the immigration status of the child or parent. Your child will have help to learn English, even if you have an immigration status with the ‘no recourse to public funds (NRPF)’ condition, or you are undocumented.
A child may be eligible for additional help at their school if they have special educational needs.
If you feel that your child requires more support, you can request an assessment for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. The plan will set out what extra support the child requires. The plan may also provide a personal budget (direct payment) to help you pay for this support.
This support is not affected by the immigration status of the child or parent. It does not count as a ‘public fund’ for immigration purposes. Your child will be able to access support even if you have an immigration status with the ‘no recourse to public funds (NRPF)’ condition, or you are undocumented.
In most areas, free school meals are provided for all children in younger school years (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2). This is not affected by immigration status. In these areas, meals for younger children are provided automatically, so you do not need to apply.
Children in older school years (Year 3 or above) can still access free school meals, but there may be eligibility requirements. In general, children can receive free school meals if they or their parents are receiving certain benefits, which are listed on the government website. You will need to apply.
Children can still access free school meals even if their parents or carers do not receive eligible benefits. Free school meals have been permanently extended to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) if the household earns below a certain income. The income threshold starts at £31,200 for families in London with one child (the threshold changes depending on location and number of children).
This means your child can access free school means if you cannot access benefits due to immigration status. This could be because you have an immigration status with the ‘no recourse to public funds (NRPF)’ condition, or you are undocumented.
To apply, you will need to visit the website for your local authority. You will need to apply every year. More information is available on the government website.
Transport for London (TfL) provides a wide range of concessions offering free and discounted travel on its network. For more information, please see our section on Free and discounted travel.
A local authority has a duty to provide free transport to a child if they consider it is necessary to enable a child to attend school. The child must be between 5-16 years old, and living outside of the 'statutory walking distance' of the nearest suitable qualifying school:
- For children aged between 5 and 7 the 'statutory walking distance' is 2 miles; and
- For children aged between 8 and 16 the 'statutory walking distance' is 3 miles.
For more information on free travel for children please see Child Law Advice or the government website.
Local authorities have the power, but no legal duty, to provide financial assistance for school uniforms. It is for the local authority to decide the eligibility criteria.
Parents can support their children by finding out about the UK education system and helpingchildren to learn.
Guidance for parents is available in English and other community languages.
Parents can also support their children by improving their own skills, including English and Maths.Find an Adult Education Provider.
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and undocumented children are entitled to full-time education.
Local authorities have a duty to provide education for them if they are resident in their area and they are of compulsory school age.
In most cases, the local authority has a duty to look after unaccompanied children. The local authority, in essence, becomes the child’s legal parent and has a responsibility to support unaccompanied children in different areas, including:
- health
- education and training
- emotional and behavioural development
- identity, with particular regard to religious persuasion, racial origin, and cultural and linguistic background
- family and social relationships
- social presentation
- self-care skills.
For more information, please see theCoram Children’s Legal Centrewebsite.
