Your education

School is very important. The things you learn will shape your future success, and give you more opportunities in the future. Looked after young people have the same rights to education as everyone else, and are just as able to succeed and do well.

Your education rights

If you are looked after, you have the right to:

• be in full-time education (and should be unless there is a very good reason not)
• have a teacher at school who will keep an eye on how you are doing
• get any special support if you need it
• have an up-to-date Personal Education Plan (PEP), which will be reviewed at the school at least every 6 months.

Staying happy at school

Where possible, efforts are made not to disrupt the schooling of children in care. This is because you feel better and learn better when you are happy and settled at school, you do better. There are people who can help with this, but you can also help yourself to feel good:

• Go on school trips and take part in clubs and activities
• Make new friends and get to know new people
• Take care of yourself and others
• Learn new skills and experience new things 
• Make decisions about what you want to do
• Enter competitions, join groups and take part in contests

If you are unhappy at school because someone else is making you unhappy, then you should talk to a teacher about it.

• More information about Bullying

Designated teachers for looked-after children

Your school will have a special teacher for looked-after children. You can talk to them or to another teacher you like or trust – maybe your form teacher or head of year. They can make sure that any problems you have in school are sorted and can arrange for extra help and support for you.

Missing school

Missing school is not a good solution to problems. In fact, it will cause you more problems:

• Fall behind with your work
• You could get into trouble
• You could find it hard to settle in again at school

Your school needs a note or a telephone call from your carer or key worker to say why you have been off school. The school will decide if it is a good reason, like you have been ill or have a medical appointment.

Find out more…

• Check out the Virtual School for Looked-After Children: a team of specialist teachers who support the education of looked after children.
• All looked-after children will have a Personal Education Plan to help them get the most from their education.
• For any further information, why not check out The Who Cares Trust website, which contains lots of info for looked-after children and young people on rights and education.