The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) is a national charity that provides independent advice for parents and carers of children aged 5-16 in state-funded education. ACE aims to provide the information, support and high-quality advice that parents need to help their children at school, particularly where there are problems. We were founded in 1960 by Michael Young, Lord Young of Dartington.
ACE's Vision
A fair education system for all.
ACE's Mission
ACE’s mission as a registered charity is to promote fairness and opportunity in education.
We work to:
- Empower parents and carers
- Encourage changes in education law and policy
- Promote good practice in the education system
for the benefit of all children, young people and families.
ACE's Values
ACE believes that is essential to be:
Independent
The advice, information and training we give is accurate, impartial and not subject to the political climate of the day.
Expert
We draw on over 45 years of work in the education field. Our team of advisers have an unrivalled understanding of education law, policy and practice and how they impact on children and families.
Responsive
Our day-to-day contact with parents and carers is at the heart of all we do. We develop our services according to the needs of families and changes to law, policy and practice.
Proactive
We work to improve education law, policy and practice as they affect the rights and experiences of parents, carers and children.
Collaborative/co-operative
We work in partnership with others to improve the education system for children. We believe that parents and carers, children, schools, governors, local authorities and government should all be equal partners in education.
Inclusive
We give parents and carers the information and strategies they need to support their child at school. We have a particular commitment to reach out to the marginalised and those who find themselves excluded from the system.
Accessible
We use straightforward language which is designed to simplify the complexities of the education system and make it understandable to everyone.
Why is ACE different?
We are unique in having day to day contact with parents all over the country on a whole range of issues. This wide expertise is valued by parents as children’s problems rarely relate to just one issue.
In 2008 we spoke to over 6,000 parents and over 60,000 more downloaded advice from our website. Hearing parents describe their experiences gives ACE privileged access to how education law and practice impacts on children and parents, and allows us to speak with authority on behalf of parents facing difficulties with the education system.
We are working to make ACE services available as widely as possible. Our helplines are freephones, giving equal access to parents throughout the country and we receive funding to send out some of our materials free of charge to parents. We are encouraging access through local advisers trained through our Education Step-by-Step project, help which is targeted particularly at minority ethnic groups, refugees and disadvantaged families.
ACE is a member of Adviceuk and the Telephone Helplines Association (THA). ACE advice lines hold the Parent Know Telephone Helplines Association Enhanced Quality Standard.
