5 - 10 year olds - Primary age

Dedicated teams at the Council are here to help:

The Family information Service (FIS) team is dedicated to providing free and impartial information for parents, parents to be, carers and professionals. Advice sessions are held frequently in our Children’s Centres.
If you have concerns about your child’s education, for example their development, attendance or behaviour, the Education welfare team can offer advice and support.

Have you checked to see whether you are eligible to claim child tax credits or working tax credits?

Education

If your child has not enrolled in a primary or junior school, information is available on schools in the Borough as well as the how to apply for a place.
A comprehensive list of all term dates will help you plan your year around your child’s education.
If you’re receiving benefits, apply to see if you are eligible for free school meals. They not only benefit the child but the school as well, in the form of extra funding that can be used for equipment or extra staff.
There are also grants available to help with the cost of getting to school.
Very occasionally schools have to take into account external issues which may affect their ability to be open and to safely receive children (for example bad weather). A list of the current status of all schools in the borough is available for times when there may be uncertainty.
As your child nears the end of their primary education, thoughts will turn to progressing up to a secondary school. Admissions advice is available, including specific application dates for secondary school admissions.
Search and apply for secondary schools online.

Before and after school clubs are available in a number of locations in the borough. The hours each club operates may vary slightly; some are even open during school holidays.
For your child, the internet can become a place for entertainment as well as learning. To help teach children about how to use the internet, avoid dangers and be safe online, a series of age related guidance is available for 5 to 7 and 8 to 10 year olds.
Developing reading skills can give your child huge amounts of confidence, the Young Peoples Library Service is there to support this, it’s free to join and hosts various events throughout the year.
Play is an integral part in a child’s development. There are many outdoor locations, including ‘pop up’ seasonal venues such as the play beach.
If you live, work, or your child is registered at a youth centre in the borough, make sure you apply for a free Leisure and Youth card to claim your discounts.
Sports play an important part in maintaining fitness, socialising and learning skills such as the importance of team work. There are venues across the borough that offer activities for various age ranges.
We actively promote sports, exercise and activities for disabled people of all ages, find out about inclusive and disability-specific sports and exercise from our Sport Development team.
There are also family friendly activities taking place throughout the year.