4parentsbyparents in the UK

Goverment promises extra help for children with dyslexia

2009-06-22T01:07:00.000-07:00

The Government has promised to train 4,000 teachers to support children with dyslexia in state schools, representing ~1 trained teacher per 4 schools, supported by additional resources for teachers to help identify pupils with such learning difficulties. This is a major step forward and recognition of dyslexia as a learning difficulty.

Whilst, this is a major change, the support will be aimed, quite rightly at the worst sufferers and so will mean that those children with 'milder' problems will not get so much support and possibly schools watching budgets will still try to avoid identifying sufferers, to avoid extra drain on stretched finances.

Whilst these changes are very welcome, parents will still need to fight to get the help for their children. Don't just rely on promises from your child's school, keep closely in touch with those providing support to ensure your child does get the support needed.

UCAS Points?

2009-03-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

UCAS Points are based on examination type and grades achieved. Not just A-Level but AS- Level and other examinations. You may find the calculator and the UCAS tariff tables helpful see Useful Links on the right.

University Open Days: Student Accommodation

2009-03-04T02:30:00.000-08:00

What to expect and look out for in student accommodation and when to apply.

Most universities provide 1st year accommodation on campus. Check if this is the case and check if the accommodation is on the main teaching campus or on a separate campus, requiring transport costs to the teaching campus.
If university accommodation is not provided and you have to, or want, off-campus accommodation, make sure you use university approved accommodation and use approved landlords and agencies - Check with the university or student union be worldly wise to avoid bad landlords and bad accommodation - ask existing students.

So what campus accommodation may be available to you? Possible options...

Fully Catered: 7 days a week, 3 meals a day; or 2 meals a day provided in dinning halls attached to halls of residence, maybe requiring the student to purchase meals during the day from campus catering outlets.

Part Catered: Meals provided during weekdays but self-catering at weekends.

Self-Catered: Students have to purchase and prepare their own meals, probably supplemented by campus catering outlets during weekdays. Some university food outlets may offer full term catered reduced rate options for 7, 5 days.

Make sure you check out the accommodation facilities for self-catered and for snack meals if catered. Also check out food shopping available on or close to campus. Use the Internet to check out the locations of local supermarkets, as well as university websites for on-campus food shops.

Accommodation options may include en-suite (particularly in new campus accommodation) but most will be based on a small number of students sharing toilet and washing facilities. What, if any, bedding etc is provided or must be provided by the student and what laundry facilities are available.

Finally: Check out accommodation availability based on 2nd (insurance) choice university (some universities do not guarantee on-campus if selected as your 2nd choice) and what is available if you have to apply through UCAS Clearing. Remember to note the accommodation by University because it may become very confusing after a few open days.

Remember: Have your accommodation application ready in advance and send it as soon as you get your confirmed place, which may be on A Level results day, accommodation is probably assigned on a first come basis!

Statistics on Learning Difficulties - don't let your child be a lost statistic

2008-01-02T02:57:00.000-08:00

Statistics have been published that indicate that 3% of children in schools are identified as having specific learning difficulties, yet over 10% of children are known to have specific learning difficulties. A significant discrepency!

To use a government phrase - 'in real terms' this means that in a class of 30 children there will be at least 3 children with specific learning difficulties, yet only one child will be identified as having such a problem.

So don't let your child be one of the unidentified. If you suspect your child may have a problem, you will need to have your child assessed. This is the start of the fight you must undertake! Don't be dissuaded, if you are concerned, until an educational psychologist has shown your child not to have a problem. The system is designed to persuade you there is no problem, it saves on resources and funds.

Remember this is your child's future you a fighting for, so keep up the fight to have an assessment.

Meningitis C vaccinations for new students

2007-10-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Remember that universities and colleges require new students to have the Meningitis C vaccine before taking up a place. It is true that young people grouped together present a good scenario for meningitis to develop.

Whilst it is unlikely that an outbreak will occur, it is advised that new students should ensure they have had the Meningitis C vaccination and that they are aware of the symptoms of meningitis.

Remember this is not something to panic about but to take precautions and be prepared.

Contact your local surgery to arrange for the vaccination before going on to University or College.

Student Bank Accounts

2007-10-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

A Student bank Account is needed for your student load etc. So, what is a Student Bank Account?

It is a normal bank Current Account but with the bonus of an interest free overdraft facility, as needed by a student. The account lasts for 3 years but may be extended to a 4th year if required. the overdraft must be repaid, within a set time period after graduation, or the overdraft will attract interest at the standard rate for the bank in question.

Some accounts offer 'freebies' such as a 5 year Student Rail Card. The amount of the overdraft will vary from bank to bank and remember the overdraft if progressive starting with e.g. £500 for the first term and increasing progressively to the (maximum) advertised level.

Note also, you cannot open a Student Bank Account until you have a confirmed college or university place and you will need to show evidence to the bank.

To find the best Student Accounts check out Moneysaving Expert see useful links

NUS Associate Membership

2007-06-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

6th Form students in schools are eligible for Associate membership of the National Union of Students and can make use of their NUS Card to benefit from Student Discounts offers by some stores and outlets etc.

This is a recognition that 6th formers in schools are on a par with students in 6th Form Colleges, with student privileges and is a lead-in to full membership of the NUS when they reach college of university.

An application form can be downloaded from the NUS website and applications need to be validated by the student's school.

If the school does not suggest membership for its students, it may not be aware of the Associate membership - make it known to the school.

Am I Wrong or Just In the Wrong?

2007-05-19T01:21:00.000-07:00

A Level time is extremely stressful for students and hence parents.

It’s all about studying, exam results, selecting a short list of colleges or universities. Select a first choice, choose the 2nd insurance choice. No pressure from the universities (?), some do not guarantee accommodation on campus if selected as 2nd choice.

Organising student finance, completing the PN1, open a student bank account, revise, take exams, wait for the dreaded day of the results. Add to that the teenager effect... what do you expect!

It must be the most stressful year of a student's life. So, who are the targets on which the stress is vented ... Parents! You will always say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, and be in the wrong; whether it is trying to be supportive or helping test the revision notes.

Other parents say "yes we remember that ... just hang in there!" But they don't warn you in advance. Well, it can be a bit like hell, building through the AS year but it only really lasts about 18 months. It really is a case of accepting you are wrong and you are in the wrong but really do just hang in there, it is surely worth it ... in the end!

Getting to a university or college Open Day

2007-03-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Check out public transport, it may be the easiest way to get there but remember the campus may be some way out of town. London campuses are far better reached by public transport and you avoid the Congestion Charge.

If you intend to drive check the university or college website for directions and parking. You may be able to use a parking permit for the day. Some universities recommend using a park and ride , especially if the campus is in a city centre (e.g. University of Plymouth) and special buses may be provided on the day to take you to the campus.

Some campuses operate 'Pay and Display' parking, you may need £5 or so in change for a day's parking and don't forget to obtain and display the ticket. Get there a bit early so that you can find a parking space. Campuses are busy places anyway, so Open Days compound the problem, unless parking is provided for the day.

Ducks at university!

2007-03-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am adding this humerous posting to balance the more serious aspects of moving into Higher Education.

You may like them or you may hate them but some university/college campuses have lakes or rivers which attract a duck population, as well as a student population. You can find out the duck to student ratios by following the link under 'Useful Links'.
It may not be a serious way of selecting a university but does show there are many aspects to life on a campus.

University/College Open Days - Students with Specific Learning Difficulty

2007-03-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

Universities and colleges have an obligation to provide for students with disabilities including SLD and should be very positive to such students.
During an Open Day make contact with Student Support Services, they will usually have a display in the exhibition area, so that you can determine what provisions they offer. Most universities have separate tutors e.g. for dyslexia, and also have a specific support tutor in each department.

When you complete your UCAS application make sure you check the box for 'Disability', this will ensure that the College or University is aware and your short listed choices will send you specific information. Once you have submitted your initial short listed choice, you may be invited to a Departmental Open Day, or an interview (much rarer these days); if you are, it is an opportunity to arrange an appointment with Student Support Services, it all helps to get a feel for a place.

University/College Open Days

2007-03-13T05:18:00.000-07:00

Be well prepared, with a pack containing drinks and snacks and a waterproof, as well as your note pad and pen. Some campuses will require a lot of walking and may be hilly. Be prepared for a very tiring day and you won't be able to get to every talk, as they may overlap or not give time to get between locations. Remember that most talks on Student Finance are similar and tours of student accommodation can become repetitive, as well as leading to confusion about which accommodation was on which campus.

Make sure you locate the Student Union Shop and Resturant for cheaper food and drinks. Do stop for lunch at some stage, as you will be on the go from the start at 9:30 to the end at 16:00 and beyond.

Beware of split campuses, they may be close together or could be 50 miles apart. Don't end up on the wrong site for your subject of interest.

If you are travelling far afield then you may want to stay over. Travelodge have special offer rooms at £19 and £29 if you book on-line. see Useful Links

Disabled Students Allowance Application Flow Chart

2007-03-12T03:47:00.000-07:00

Click on the image for full view

This flow chart is provided for guidance on making an application for a DSA. The application is based on the PN1 Student Loans and Allowances Application Form
(Flowchart provided by Student Finance at Somerset County Council)

Initial university visits

2007-03-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

Many universities provide maps for campus self-tours, or provide informal campus tours (usually on a Wednesday or during a holiday period), ahead of formal open days. Contact the college or university Admissions Department or Schools Liaison Department. Don't wait for the formal round of Open Day invitations to get a taste of a campus. Try it out on a normal weekday.

Some universities provide virtual tours (e.g. Uni of Exeter) on their websites and possibly even a campus webcam (e.g. Uni of Warwick).

Formal Open Days are limited and your choices may clash so don't wait until your final school year. Most Open Days are booked through the university or college website, look for the link under 'new students', or 'undergraduate students' or an Open Day Flag link.

Higher education college and University websites can be found at www.(name of college/university).ac.uk

Disabled Students Allowance, incl. Specific Learning Difficulties

2007-03-09T04:19:00.000-08:00

This is available to all students with a SLD for provision of equipment aids and is independent of means testing. Application is included within the PN1 Application Form for Student Grants, Loans and Allowances. Application must be supported with an assessment of the student's SLD carried out post 16th birthday.
Contact the Student Finance Department of your local Authority for information and 'A Guide to Disabled Students Allowances'.
The applicant undergoes an assessment by the local authority to determine what equipment will benefit the applicant in their future studies, such as hardware, software, equipment to record lectures etc. The equipment is then ordered and set up by the local authority.
The PN1 form is available from March and should be completed as soon as possible and submitted, to ensure the process can be completed and equipment be in place before the commencement of the Student's course.
It is important that students with SLDs are not put-off applying for DSA because they do not think they have a disability.