Schools and learning

Frequently Asked Questions about the Minority Ethnic Curriculum Support Service (MECSS)

I’m not happy with the education my child is receiving. Who do I complain to?

If you have a concern about the education of your child you should make an appointment to meet a senior manager at the school (usually the headteacher in Primary Schools, anyone from a year head to the headteacher in a Secondary school) to explain your concerns.

If you are unable to resolve your concerns, you have the right to make a formal complaint to the governors of the school. You should contact the school in the first instance, and ask for a copy of the school’s “formal complaint procedures”. These will tell you what steps you need to take.

Can my child wear faith clothing at school?

There is currently no legislation in Britain that deals specifically with school uniforms. Each school draws up its own uniform policy, with which pupils are expected to comply.

Schools’ policies must be sensitive to the needs of different cultural, racial and religious groups. The DfES (Feb, 2002) tells schools that it “expects schools to accommodate these needs within a general uniform policy”. This does not mean that they must allow faith clothing, but they must have justifiable reasons for excluding it.

I think my child is experiencing racism at school. What can I do?

Racism is always unacceptable. Under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act schools have a statutory duty to do all they can to prevent racism and to deal with it effectively when it occurs. All schools are required to have policy and procedures for responding to racist incidents. You can ask the school for a copy of this policy at any time. You will find the local authority guidance to schools on dealing with racist incidents by following the link on this page to the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning (HGfL).

If you think your child is experiencing racism do not hesitate to contact a senior manager (usually the headteacher in Primary Schools, anyone from a year head to the headteacher in a Secondary school) immediately to arrange for an urgent meeting.

Which ethnic minorities does MECSS support?

MECSS supports schools from any minority ethnic group according to the type and level of the need for that support. However there are times when limitation on resources means that the amount of support given to a school may be less than expected.

How would I arrange for my child to have time off school to visit the Home Office, Solicitors or any other appointment?

Tell the school as far in advance as possible. Ask for an interpreter or have your letter translated if necessary. Your letter to the school should detail:

• the name and class of child(ren)
• date and time of appointment
• the amount of time your child will be out of school
• the type of appointment e.g. Home Office, dentist

At the end of the appointment return your child to school if time allows. If for some reason your child cannot return to school the next day, tell the school.

We are asylum Seekers - is my child entitled to attend school?

Yes, asylum seekers who have leave to remain in the UK can seek a school place for their child. They have the same rights to statutory education as the indigenous children and can participate in all aspects of school life.

If you requrie an admissions form, please email us at hdc.mecss@hertscc.gov.uk

We are asylum seekers and my 16 year old sits GCSE’s this year. Will they be entitled to the Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) support in years 12 and 13 (Sixth form)?

While your case is being decided and you have discretionary leave to remain (DLR), your child is not entitled to EMA. If your case is decided before the end of Year 13 and your child is given Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for 5 years or refugee status you should apply for the EMA as soon as you have your decision, but it will be paid only from the date of application.

I want my child to go to a single sex school, can MECSS help?

There are 12 single sex schools in the county (they are in Watford, St Albans, Bishop’s Stortford, Hatfield and Ware, Hitchin and Hertford), all of which are secondary schools. Seven of these are community schools.

To gain admission to these single sex schools, it is very likely that you will need to be living in the priority area of the school. The schools also use admission rules, and some will take into account other criteria for admission such as pupils' grades and academic ability. Community school admission rules do not take into account religious or cultural preference for a single sex school.

Where parents, carers or children feel that they may have been discriminated against during the admissions process on the grounds of their race, colour, religion or nationality, MECSS might be able to provide advice. Please email us at hdc.mecss@hertscc.gov.uk if appropriate.

I want to set up a supplementary school, how can MECSS help?

Hertfordshire County Council highly values the contribution that complementary and supplementary schools make to the education, self-esteem and improvement in achievement levels of minority ethnic children.

MECSS can provide detailed advice & guidance to support setting up your school in the community. This covers issues such as availability of premises, teaching and learning resources, minimum professional standards a school is expected to adhere to, grant aid and the like.

There are already up to 55 complementary and supplementary schools serving the needs of various minority ethnic communities in Hertfordshire. For further information on these schools please follow the link on this page to the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning (HGfL)

How do I find classes to help my child develop their first language?

Hertfordshire County Council positively supports bilingualism and the development of the mother tongue amongst children and young people. In Hertfordshire there are 55 complementary and supplementary schools providing language classes in a wide range of community languages. In addition to these, there are community language classes held in some of our mainstream schools during weekdays. These classes may be held in lunch breaks or during after school hours. Further details of these can be obtained by emailing us at hdc.mecss@hertscc.gov.uk

Should I speak my first language to my child at home?

It is very important for parents to speak their first language with their children at home. Children whose first language is well developed are able to learn English more easily and make better cognitive and academic progress at school. Being bilingual is a positive factor in developing intelligence and flexible and creative thinking skills. It develops positive parent/child relationships and creates a bridge between the generations. It is very important in maintaining cultural links and for children’s emotional and social well being. For further information on support offered please follow the link on this page to the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning (HGfL).

How do I find out about schools?

General information about starting school is available by following the 'Schools and learning' link on this page.

Alternatively, you can contact Children, Schools and Families for all inquiries about education at:

01923 471500 from area codes 01923 and 0208
01438 737500 from all other areas in Hertfordshire

If you need to speak through a Language Line interpreter, ask the person who answers your call to arrange this.

You can also obtain leaflets for parents, which are available in Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali. If you need them in another language please contact 01992 588534

Information about a particular school can be obtained by looking at specific school websites. Follow the link on this page to the school address book.

Can MECSS help me with my child’s school admission?

MECSS can refer you to the appropriate admissions team who will be able to help you. If there are language difficulties MECSS can arrange for an interpreter to be available. In the first instance, please email us at hdc.mecss@hertscc.gov.uk
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children can get support to access schools through the Achievement of Refugees and Travellers Team (ARTT) by telephoning us on (01438) 844829.

Traveller children can get support to access school by Traveller Education Welfare Officers by telephoning (01438) 844839. The Welfare Officers will be able to help families with transition forms and there is a pre-school worker who can help access Traveller children to preschool settings.

My child does not speak English. How can I get additional help?

Make sure the school headteacher is aware that your child does not speak English as his or her first language and will require additional help in school. Provide the school with as much information as you can about your child’s previous education and achievements, including any classes the child is attending outside school hours. This will enable the school to build on your child’s previous experiences and plan an appropriate curriculum. If your child can read and write in his or her first language make sure he or she is equipped with a bilingual dictionary.

The school may contact MECSS for advice and support to ensure that your child’s needs are met fully.