Finding schools and services for children
Finding a school
If you are placed in temporary accommodation
outside of Tower Hamlets, you may wish to change your children’s
school. You and your children may find it tiring if they have
to travel for long journeys to school, and it could be
expensive.
Many families request transfers to temporary
accommodation near to certain schools. We realise how
difficult it can be to change schools but, due to a shortage of
properties, we are only able to move small numbers of families in
particular situations and they have to wait for long periods to
move. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider long distances
from schools as a special circumstance.
If you need help in finding a new school, you
should contact the Education Welfare Service of the local authority
you are living in.
To apply for a school place you will need:
- birth certificates for the parent or guardian
of the child or children
- birth certificates for the child or
children
- confirmation of child benefit award
- proof of identify and UK residence
- proof of address, such as council tax bill or
tenancy documents
Sometimes it can take some time to find a
school place so it is advisable to keep your child in their present
school until a place is found.
See more information on finding a
school.
Pre-school children
For information about services for pre-school
children that are available in your area, contact the children’s
information service for your local authority.
You can find the details
on their website or use the list below for the
contact number for the children’s information service in your
area:
- Tower Hamlets – 020 7364 6495
- Newham – 0800 074 1017
- Hackney – 020 8820 7590
- Waltham Forest – 020 8496 3000
- Redbridge – 0800 587 7500
- Haringey – 020 8489 1546
- Enfield – 0208 482 1066
- Barking & Dagenham – 020 8227 2163
- Havering – 01708 371991
Within Tower Hamlets, Surestart provide a wide
range of advice and services for people with children under five
years old - find out more.