The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

ACE is an independent registered charity, which offers information about state education in England and Wales for parents of school-age children.

This is a service which, although hardly advertised, is overwhelmingly used and much regarded for its independence, its confidentiality and the quality of its advice.

Telephone advice lines are the cornerstones of ACE, and their frequent engaged tone (but do keep trying – you will get through!) demonstrates parents’ need for help and information.

About half of ACE’s advice calls are related to special educational needs. Parents of children with learning difficulties will know that the law in this area is complex, but an important principle of the Code of Practice for SEN is that parents should play a full part in supporting their children. ACE helps parents understand the system, offers advice on the next step to take and explains how parents can contribute to planning their children’s education and appealing against decisions they feel are wrong.

The Advisory Centre for Education adds:

As well as telephone advice, we give free advice via our website. This provides answers to frequently asked questions, a jargon buster and parents’ forum as well as details of our publications and membership of ACE.

Our bestselling title is the ACE Special Education Handbook, which explains in parent-friendly language what parents should expect from schools and local education authorities when their child has a statement. It also provides information on key court decisions, on disability discrimination and on a range of subjects such as transport, examinations and school records. The Handbook costs £17.99 and can be ordered by phone or via our website. Our free advice booklets provide step-by-step advice for parents whose children have special educational needs. Getting Extra Help, Asking for a Statutory Assessment, Getting the Statement Right and Understanding Annual Reviews focus on key issues for parents and help them have their say at critical points in their children’s schooling. Download them from our website or call our advice line for a copy.

ACE’s exclusion helpline runs five afternoons a week, to support parents whose children have been excluded from school. Some three-quarters of these are children with SEN. The advice line was set up in response to the rising tide of permanent exclusions. ACE’s expert advisers can explain how to appeal against an exclusion, how to get more support in school and how to find a new school place.

As well as special educational needs and exclusions advice, ACE encompasses a very wide range of topics including truancy, bullying, school phobia, and school admissions advice.

Contact details

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

E-mail: enquiries@ace.dialnet.com

Freephone advice line (2pm–5pm Mon–Fri): 0808 800 5793

Freephone exclusion helpline: 0808 8000 327

Fax: 020 7354 9069

Address: 1 Aberdeen Studios, 22 Highbury Grove, London N5 2DQ