Berwood Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1BS
01214648014

Reception Open Sessions 2023/2024

Tuesday 10th October at 5pm

Wednesday 11th October at 2pm

Secondary School

 

Which schools do our Penns pupils attend once they leave in Y6?

 

2023 Admission

 

Greenwood Academy

Bishop Vesey Grammar School

Bishop Walsh Catholic School

Fairfax School

John Willmott School

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

Plantsbrook School

Highclare Independent School

Queen Marys Boys Grammar School (Walsall)

 

Our recent parental surveys can be found here

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Cruse Bereavement Care

Telephone: 0121 687 8010

Website: www.cruse.org.uk, http://www.crusebirmingham.co.uk/

Free National Helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am-5pm; Tuesday and Thursday- 9am-8pm; Saturday and Sunday – 12-5pm)

Email: support@crusebirmingham.co.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care offer confidential counselling and support groups for adults and children, by telephone, email or face-to-face. 

 

Edward’s Trust

Telephone: 0121 454 1705

Website: https://edwardstrust.org.uk/

Email: admin@edwardstrust.org.uk.

Edward’s Trust provides holistic family bereavement services supporting children, young people and parents across the West Midlands.

 

Grief Encounter

Tel: 0808 802 0111

Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk

On-line bereavement support for young people, parents & professionals

Email: contact@griefencounter.org.uk

Grief Encounter offer support for bereaved children and families to address difficult issues such as death and we help make sense of the hurt and confusion. Services include: Confidential helpline, family programmes, specialist resources and e-counselling services

HOW TO HELP CHILDREN DEAL WITH DIVORCE OR SEPARATION

Separation may involve bad feelings between the parents and their families. Children can pick up on this, which may make them confused or unhappy – or even blame themselves for a break-up.

To support children during a separation and help them with their worries, you should:

  • remind them that they're loved by both parents
  • be honest when talking about it but keep in mind the child's age and understanding
  • avoid blame and don't share any negative feelings the adults have about each other
  • keep up routines such as going to school and specific meal times
  • let them know they can talk about their feelings with you – explain that it's okay to be sad, confused or angry
  • listen more than you speak – answering questions will help them to open up.

There are lots of ways to make it a bit less painful when talking to children about divorce or any other difficult subject. We’ve got more advice for parents in our guide for talking about difficult topics.

Childline

Sometimes children find it hard to talk to someone in the family about their parents separating. Remind them they can always contact Childline by phoning 0800 1111 or having a 1-2-1 chat online.

 

Go to Childline

Who has parental responsibility?

In general, mothers automatically have parental responsibility for their child from birth.

Fathers usually have parental responsibility for the child if they were married to the child's mother and/or are listed on the child's birth certificate.

If both partners have parental responsibility, then both are responsible for the child's wellbeing until he or she reaches adulthood at age 18.

Learn more about parental rights and responsibilities on the UK Government website.

 

How to agree on child contact

Children tend to do best when they have contact with both parents. And they have the right to maintain contact with both, unless it's not in their best interest.

There are 3 ways for deciding who a child lives with and how visits will work.

How courts decide on child contact

Every child and set of circumstances is different. But in every situation, the child's welfare must be put first. When deciding on contact and residence, the courts focus on a number of key factors, such as:

  • the wishes and feelings of the child
  • any harm or risk of harm
  • the child's physical, emotional and educational needs
  • the likely effect of any change in the child's circumstances
  • the child's age, sex, background and characteristics
  • the ability of each parent to meet the child's needs.

Other organisations you can talk to

We can't provide legal advice but the Coram Children's Legal Centre offers free information and advice on all aspects of the law relating to young people. Coram's helpful Contact factsheet (PDF) addresses common questions about contact arrangements.

You can also get help from the following organisations.