Before your child starts school, you should visit the school and talk to the headteacher and the teachers about what the school is like. You should also ask for the school's prospectus which will give a great deal of information about the school. After your child has started, the school will invite you to visit from time to time to talk about your child's progress. Most schools have a special day or evening at least once a year when you will be invited to discuss how your child is getting on. If you are not happy or confident speaking English, take a relative or friend along to help you.
State schools are free for all children.
However, you can buy additional equipment such as pens and pencils etc. You may be asked to make a voluntary contribution to some school activities that take place mainly in school hours. For example, you may be asked to pay something towards the cost of a school journey, materials in cookery lessons or individual music lessons. You are under no obligation to pay and your child will not be treated differently if you do not contribute. Your child's school may well have an educational activity on offer as an optional extra such as a school trip on a Saturday.