Croydon Virtual School

What we do

We offer additional support to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and young people who are resident in the borough. We have a UASC officer who can give advice and guidance on schools, colleges and educational support available in the borough.

For further information or advice please contact: croydontownschool@croydon.gov.uk.

School applications

Primary or secondary school applications need to be made on our school admissions portal.

You can read:

• the infant and junior schools in the borough
• the secondary schools in the borough

College applications

Social workers and foster carers should support care-experienced young people to apply for further education.

They should help young people to:

• apply to their chosen college through the college’s website
• complete the enrolment process
• prepare for induction

The following is a list of colleges who offer dedicated ESOL support to learners:

• Croydon College
• John Ruskin College
• East Surrey College
• Lambeth College

Community support and local support services

UASC who arrive in the UK part way through the academic year, may experience some delays with securing a school or college place. 

The following local support groups are available to offer additional educational and social support to UASC and young people whilst they are awaiting a school or college place:

• Refugee Council
• CARAS (Community Action for Refugees & Asylum Seekers)
• Refugee Roots 

Support for UASC at Croydon Town School

Croydon Virtual School runs Croydon Town School (CTS) for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people who need English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) support and do not have a school place.

CTS runs every day at Oasis Academy Arena.

When a young person starts at CTS, they will have an assessment to identify their level of English. The results are used to plan lessons that meet their needs.

CTS supports young people to:

• improve their English language skills
• prepare for mainstream education
• move into a school placement when they are ready

Young people can continue to receive support from CTS after they move into mainstream education.

Further information

• Kent Public Health has produced a range of useful resources for meeting the health needs of UASC. 
• Sleep is a video which details how sleep impacts UASC’s mental health
• Support for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC)
• Coram Children's Legal Centre promotes the legal rights of children in the UK and internationally