All pupils newly arrived from overseas have the same entitlement to free, government-funded, part-time early years education as settled residents. The foundation stage, with its focus on active learning and oral development, can make a substantial contribution to the language skills of pupils for whom English is an additional language.

Local authorities (LAs) and schools have a general duty under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000) to 'eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups'.

Schools also have a specific duty to monitor and assess how their policies affect minority ethnic pupils, staff and parents.

Inclusive schools recognise that some groups of pupils experience disadvantage in our society and may not enjoy equal access to entitlements and services. These schools actively promote equality of opportunity, and ensure that newly arrived pupils and families do not experience additional barriers that will impact on their progress and well-being.

All children of compulsory school age in the UK have a right of access to education. This includes asylum seekers and refugees, EEA nationals and children accompanying parents who have the right of abode in or leave to enter the UK.

It is important that schools and LAs are clear about the educational entitlements and options available for post-16 education. The DCSF has identified that good arrangements for induction should resolve issues of immediate concern (Managing pupil mobility: guidance, 2003). Information and guidance on these issues is provided on this site through the following links:

• free school meals
• school clothing and uniform grants
• school travel and transport

When planning certain types of educational visits it is important to consider the specific needs of some newly arrived pupils.

These include:

• pupils who are entitled to the remission of charges made for the cost of board and lodging during residential school trips
• non-British and non-EU nationals, asylum seekers and pupils without passports, who will all need special arrangements to go on overseas school visits.

Useful weblinks

Please note: QCA is not responsible for the content of external sites

DCSF: Pupil mobility project
This is an area of the School improvement and excellence website. It is concerned with accelerating access and raising attainment of mobile pupils. Fifty-one schools from 26 LAs and one education action zone (EAZ) were involved in a project developing, trialling and evaluating innovative strategies to narrow the attainment gap between the mobile and static populations. Schools involved experience pupil mobility greater than 20 per cent.

DCSF: Managing pupil mobility: guidance
This guidance to schools on managing pupil mobility provides definitions, ways of measuring mobility and how to develop information systems and analysis. It also provides case study examples of good practice, including effective admission procedures and support strategies.

DCSF: Managing pupil mobility: a handbook for induction mentors
This guidance for induction mentors includes the role of the induction mentor, working with pupils, parents and staff, admission and induction procedures, assessment and more.

DCSF: School improvement and excellence
The School improvement and excellence team works with schools that face challenging circumstances. Working together they continue to develop a range of initiatives to support better ways of working and to raise attainment.

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