Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 8 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 10 March 2006. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Refuges

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how far from the school ordinarily attended by a child of someone who has moved into a refuge the refuge is required to be for temporary schooling nearer the refuge to be considered.

Answer: There is no qualifying distance for a child to be considered for a temporary school place. Where the parent or carer of the child wishes the child to attend a school closer to the refuge on a temporary or permanent basis, they have the same rights as any other parent to apply for a school place. They should initially contact the local authority for the area in which the refuge is situated, because many have protocols which ensure that vulnerable children are admitted quickly into a suitable school. Local authorities are under a duty to ensure that all children of compulsory school age living in their area have a school place.

Secondary information