For parents who are subject to no recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

If you are new to Sheffield and need a school place for your child, this is called an in-year admission.

You should contact the Pupil Admissions Team to:

• Provide details about your child (child’s name, DOB, address, parent name)
  
  
• Let them know if your child has any additional needs, such as a disability. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

The team will register your child and offer them a school place. This can take a few weeks.

Most schools admit pupils from their local area, known as the catchment area. If your nearest schools are full, your child may be offered a place at a school further away.

In some cases, the council can help with travel to school (for example, by providing a bus pass). This is done on a case by case basis and only some children will qualify.

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What you can do:

• ‍Apply for an in-year school place

• Check your catchment area

• Contact the Pupil Admissions Team for support‍
  
  • Email: [email protected]‍
  • Telephone: 0114 273 5766
• Read more information about how to apply for school in Sheffield

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If your child already goes to a school but you want them to move to another school, you can ask for a school transfer.

You will need to:

• Ask your child’s current school for a Common Transfer Form
  
  
• The school will fill in Section 2 of the form
  
  
• The school will then send the form to the Pupil Admissions Team at the Council.

Full details about how to transfer schools are on the Sheffield City Council website.

What you can do:

• ‍Check the official guidance

• ‍Contact the Pupil Admissions Team for advice‍
  
  • Email: [email protected]‍
  • Telephone: 0114 273 5790

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Some children move automatically from their infant school to a linked junior school.

In other cases, parents need to apply for a junior school place when their child is aged 7–8.

If you are not sure whether you need to apply, ask your child’s current school for advice. They can tell you what to do next.

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What you can do:

• ‍Apply for a Junior School place

• Read guidance for parents

• Check your catchment area

• Contact the Pupil Admissions Team for advice
  
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 0114 273 5790

If you are subject to no recourse to public funds (NRPF) you might still be able to access Post 16 study at The Sheffield college. 

Contact The Sheffield College first who will be able to offer advice based on your individual situation.

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Sheffield College Contact Information

• Phone: 0114 260 2600
• Email: [email protected]
• If you are hearing impaired and have a Minicom device, contact The Sheffield College on +44 114 260 3636

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Find out about your education entitlement depending on immigration status

If you are subject to no recourse to public funds (NRPF) and your child goes to primary or secondary school you can still apply for free school meals as this is not classed as public funds. 

Children in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2 automatically get free school meals under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme.

No application is needed — just contact your school to request this.

Or you can check if you qualify and apply online on the Sheffield City Council Website.

If you would prefer to speak on the phone, you can call the Free School Meals team on 0114 273 4567, select option 4 and option 3.

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Help with uniform costs

Each school in Sheffield has its own uniform rules. Ask your child’s school about the school uniform when you attend the admission visit. 

You can save money by buying second-hand items. Schools often give information about this on their websites. Some schools have second hand uniforms that child can borrow. 

If you are finding it hard to pay for a uniform, ask your child’s school. They can tell you what support is available.

You don’t have to buy school uniform with a logo/brand on it. You can buy plain unbranded school uniform from supermarkets which is usually cheaper. Your child will usually just need a pair of black trousers and a pair of black shoes but ask your school what else they will need before purchasing any items.

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Help with transport costs

Discounted bus passes are available through Travel South Yorkshire. These make bus tickets cheaper for children and young people.

If you are subject to no recourse to public funds (NRPF) and are on a low income but your child’s school is a certain distance from your home, they may be able to get a free bus pass from Sheffield City Council.

• You can apply for a discounted travel pass if your child is under 16 on the Travel South Yorkshire website.
• You can apply for a discounted travel pass if you child is 16-18 on the Travel South Yorkshire website.

You can also check on the Sheffield City Council website if your child qualifies for free travel.

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Support during the school holidays

If your child gets free school meals, they should be able to join in with Holiday Activities and Food (HAF).

HAF offers free holiday clubs during the Halfterm, Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays.

Activities may include:

• Sports, dance, music, drama, crafts, art and songwriting
  
  
• Day trips and group activities
  
  
• A healthy meal for each child at the club
  
  

If your child is eligible, Sheffield City Council will send you a letter with a HAF code. You will need this code to book activities.

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What you can do:

• ‍Book activities using your HAF code
  
  • You can book online (by creating an account)
  • Or calling 0114 203 9303

• Check what’s available in your area

• Find more information from the Council

• Contact the programme team directly (if you need help)
  
  • Telephone: 0114 203 9303
  • Email: [email protected]

If you are subject to no recourse to public funds (NRPF) your child may still be able to attend nursery for 15 hours per week. Nursery is not considered a public fund. 

For children under 4 years old, there are different nursery and childcare options.

This can include nurseries or kindergartens for a few hours each week.

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Early learning helps children:

• Feel safe and happy
  
  
• Learn new skills
  
  
• Make friends
  
  
• Get ready for school
  
  

Childcare also helps parents:

• Settle into the community
  
  
• Know their child is being cared for and learning
  
  

Government Funding

• All 3- and 4-year-olds can get funding for early learning including parents who are subject to no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
  
  
• Some 2-year-olds might also qualify depending on family circumstances.
  
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What you can do:

• Explore childcare options on the Sheffield Directory.

• Check what government funding you could receive.

• Learn about other childcare options and eligibility on the Government website.

Sheffield has many libraries across the city. Children and young people can:

• Read or study in a quiet space
  
  
• Take part in activities and events
  
  
• Borrow books, DVDs, and other resources for free
  
  

Sheffield Children’s University (CU) helps children and young people take part in learning activities outside school.

The CU keeps track of activities and rewards children for their achievements.

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What you can do:

• Visit a local library

• Sign up for a library membership

• Get involved with Children's University

There are many organisations in Sheffield that help young people with:

• Education and learning
  
  
• Careers and training
  
  
• Wellbeing and mental health
  
  
• Fun activities and hobbies
  
  

Most of these services are free.

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Young People Services:

• ‍Sheffield Futures – support with careers, employability, wellbeing and free activities.
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• ‍Chilypep (Children and Young People’s Empowerment Project) 
  
  • Telephone: 0114 234 8846
  • Email: [email protected]
• Youth clubs and activities – run by Sheffield City Council’s Community Youth Services (CYS) and Element Society.
  
  • Email: [email protected]‍
• Element Society: projects such as Chill Zone (ages 14–17) and the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
  
  • Telephone: 0114 2999 210  
  • Email: [email protected]
• Children’s Society Advice Hub – advice on jobs, money, domestic abuse, going into care and more.

• Red Cross - Weekly Youth Group for Asylum Seekers and Refugees age 16 - 25.
  
  • To sign up please text your details (Name, DOB, language) to Lisa on 07731523303 (mobile and Whatsapp)
• Door 43 - a Youth Information, Advice, Counselling and Support Service (YIACS) within Sheffield Futures. Door 43 offers support to 13-25 year olds on a range of emotional wellbeing issues.
  
  • Telephone: 0114 201 2800
  • Email: [email protected]