Access to school
If you or your child are new to the UK and need help getting into school, this page is for you. It explains where to find clear information about the school system and who to contact if you need more support.
This page is about schools. We have separate pages with information about college and further education, and university and higher education.
Education Welcome Pack: your main guide to schools in the UK
Our Education Welcome Pack explains how schools work in the UK, and how to get a school place. It is designed for young people, parents and carers, and includes information about:
how the school system is organised;
how to apply for a school place;
what to expect in school and the classroom;
who can help if there are problems.
If you still have questions after reading the pack, you can contact our advice line for more help.
Download the Education Welcome Pack
Choose the language you find easiest to read.
Advice line
Need more help with getting into school?
If you have read the Education Welcome Pack and still need help, our advice line can support you.
You might want to contact us if:
you are finding it hard to get a school place;
you have been out of school for a long time;
you are not sure what you or your child are entitled to.
We can talk through your situation and help you understand your options.
These resources can help children, young people and families practise English at home. Whenever children use the internet, please check what they are doing to make sure they stay on safe and appropriate websites.
Resources for learning English
Websites and games to help with English and other subjects:
Arcademics: games for English and maths (US English)
BBC Bitesize Primary: games and learning for all school subjects
Cambridge English: learning activities and songs
Find Pairs matching games: simple word games
Fun Brain: games and books for English and maths (US English)
Games to Learn English: simple games to practise English
Highlights Kids: games, activities and jokes (US English)
LearnEnglish Kids (British Council): games and activities for learning English
Many Things: simple quizzes for learning vocabulary
ABCYa: games for maths and English (US English; free on desktop, registration needed for some use)
Memory Games: vocabulary games
Starfall: games and activities for reading (US English)
Online story books and videos:
BBC Learning English - children’s stories: story videos for children to watch with their parents
Story Books UK: online story books to listen and read, including stories in Farsi (Persian)
Unite for Literacy: online story books to listen and read in English (US) and Farsi
World Stories: story books to read in English and Pashto
For primary‑age children
Websites to help with English and other subjects:
Learn English with songs: learn English using popular songs
English File: grammar and vocabulary activities
BBC Bitesize Secondary: help with all secondary school subjects
For secondary‑age young people
Websites to help adults and older young people learn English and understand life in the UK:
English My Way: videos and activities for beginners
British Council ESOL Nexus: spelling, grammar, reading and vocabulary, plus activities for the Life in the UK test
For adults and older teenagers
Apps you can download to a phone or tablet:
For younger children:
For older children and adults: