Parent's Charter, the Charter for Further Education and other information

The Parent's Charter was first issued in 1991. It signalled the start of an information revolution to extend parental choice and raise standards. Important changes have since taken place in education. Parents' rights have been strengthened. An Updated Parent's Charter was issued in June 1994. It explained what parents can expect and how to become effective partners in their children's education.

The Charter for Further Education was published in 1993 and explains what information, including comparative summaries of results for all colleges and school sixth forms, students and employers have a right to expect about colleges. A new version of the Charter will be published in 1996.

Copies of the Parent's Charter and the Charter for Further Education are also available on audio cassette and in Braille, and in: Bengali, Chinese, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Colleges also have their own charters which explain in more detail the information and services students can expect in the light of the requirements of the Charter for Further Education and the college's individual circumstances.

The Charter Mark

The Charter Mark is a prestigious award for schools, colleges, hospitals, local authority services and other public service providers. It is awarded for excellence in the delivery of customer services.

Further details about the Charter Mark can be obtained from:

More information

If you have any questions about the information in the tables, including qualifications mentioned, you should first contact the school or college concerned.

If you or your child will be going to college, you may find it helpful to have a copy of the Department's Charter for Further Education. If you would like a copy of this, or the Parent's Charter, you should contact:

If you want to know more about the Charter for Further Education, you can contact:

If you want to know more about the Parent's Charter, you can contact:

You can find more information on choosing courses, and on the difference between GCE A levels, AS examinations and vocational qualifications, in the booklet It's your choice.

You may also like a copy of the Department's leaflet The New Qualifications Framework, which gives a brief guide to the three main kinds of qualifications available at the age of 16 and beyond to prepare for higher education and work.

If your child will be starting at secondary school in September 1996, you may find it helpful to read our leaflet called Your child's next school.

You can get copies of all these leaflets from the DfEE Publications Centre at the address shown.

Ordering details

This service will be available until 31 March 1996. Thereafter copies will only be available from the DfEE Publications Centre, PO Box 6927, London E3 3NZ. Telephone 0171-510 0150