LEAs
The most effective authorities
gave crucial guidance and support on effective procedures for the admission and teaching support of the asylum-seeker pupils.
Ofsted 'The Education of Asylum-Seeker Pupils' Oct 2003
Background
There are currently over 17 million refugees in the world - roughly one out of every 350 people on earth [1]. Although most refugees have found sanctuary in Africa and Asia, a small number do flee to Western Europe. Today there are estimated 72,000 refugee children in British schools and almost every English LEA now has refugee pupils attending its schools.
Ofsted Guidance
Ofsted provide clear criteria for measuring an LEA's support for refugee and asylum seeker pupils in their Inspection Guidance, while the report quoted above gives clear guidance on the role of LEAs when describing good practice.
Definitions
The legal definitions of refugees and asylum seekers.
The Policy framework
Government documents relating to the education of refugees.
The Role of Senior Management
'The contribution of the headteacher and senior staff was crucial in ensuring the rapid and successful integration of pupils'. (Ofsted)
Training and consultancy
A crucial role of LEAs is to 'provide training for front-line staff in schools on the information parents need, the cultural backgrounds of the local communities and the services to which parents and children are entitled'. (Ofsted)
Case Study: Greenwich
An outline of one authority's creative approach to maximising the impact of training.
[1] Estimated numbers of Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Others of Concern to UNHCR 1st Jan 2004. www.unhcr.ch