Ask ACE Advisory Centre for Education launch text advice service
Tuesday, March 4th, 20084th Mar 2008
UK
Ask ACE, a free, independent education advice service delivered via text is now available to all O2, Orange, Vodafone and 3 users. This is during the time when thousands of families across England will be considering the school their child has been offered a place at. The service will be available across all networks later this month. Please visit www.ace-ed.org.uk for further details.
Families should text the word ADMISSIONS to the Ask ACE number, 68808, to access free advice on what to do if they wish to appeal against the school their child has been offered or need help with any part of the admissions process.
Simon Hepburn, Chief Executive of the Advisory Centre for Education, said:
“This is a stressful and anxious time for many families who have not been offered a school that they feel is appropriate for their child. This may be for a range of reasons, for example because the school does not meet their child’s learning needs, because they may be at risk of being bullied, or because it is geographically unsuitable. Last year the Advisory Centre for Education received almost 1,500 calls about admissions and appeals and over 56,000 appeals were heard during 2005 – 2006. Ask ACE will provide fast, easily accessible information to support families considering the appeals process.”
The Advisory Centre for Education has provided free, independent advice to families on a full range of educational issues for over 40 years. A parent who has used the confidential Advisory Centre for Education advice line said:
“The Advisory Centre for Education is excellent. The people there are very kind and understanding, they know what they are talking about. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have taken this horrible situation further.”
From March – May 2008 the Ask ACE service will be dedicated to families with enquiries about school admissions and appeals. From May the service will be able to offer advice on the full range of educational issues including special educational needs (SEN), exclusions and bullying.
To access the free, independent Ask ACE service text ADMISSIONS to 68808
For further information on The Advisory Centre for Education please visit www.ace-ed.org.uk
For further information and interviews please contact Jenny Robottom on 0207 704 3386 / 07813 610 965 or email jenny.robottom@ace-ed.org.uk
Alternatively please contact Beverley Russell on 0207 704 3371 or email Beverley.russell@ace-ed.org.uk
Notes to editors
- The Ask ACE service is delivered with technology partner Cy-nap Ltd, using its secure online txttools available at http://www.txttools.co.uk
- Enquirers will receive a choice of options including tips by text, an information pack on appeals or on applying for a school and the chance to ask their own particular questions about the process.
The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) is an independent advice centre for parents of children aged 5 – 16 in state funded education. ACE aims to provide the information, support and high quality legal advice that parents need to help their children at school, particularly when there are problems.
ACE’s perspective is informed by the nearly 7,500 calls received on our telephone advice lines in 2006 – 2007. We deliver training to educational professionals including admissions staff and appeal panel members and personnel. ACE produces a wide range of publications and has an influential membership scheme. Founded in 1960, ACE is a registered charity.
