EA Connect is an integrated, user-friendly platform which is home to several key services delivered by the organisation to support schools, pupils and their families. The platform simplifies processes and reduces the administration burden on schools, EA services and parents. It also provides a single source of truth for each child’s records and enables close collaboration with all those involved in a child’s education journey.
Key services delivered by the organisation which are now available through the EA Connect portal are:
- Admission applications for pre-school, primary school, post primary and 14+ admissions
- SEN Annual Reviews (now mandatory via EA Connect)
- Home to School Transport assistance for all eligible school pupils and further education students
- Free School Meal and Uniform Allowance applications
Current Services on EA Connect
FE College Transport Applications
Transport assistance is available for students who meet the following criteria:
- The course followed is a Full-Time course;
- The distance from home to the College in which you are enrolled exceeds 3 miles;
- The course you are attending is your closest Further Education College;
- The student is not eligible for student loan assessment.
- Transport assistance is not available for the incoming school session if the students 19th birthday is attained on or before 1st July; Parents and Students - For further information on transport assistance visit: Home to School Transport.
Home to School Transport Applications
Applications for primary and post primary school transport are made on EA Connect.
Details including eligibility, how to apply, general information, and contact details can be found on Home to School Transport.
Free School Meals and Uniform Grants
Applications for free school meals and uniform grants are made on EA Connect.
For information including eligibility, how to apply for support, and contact details visit Free School Meals and Uniform Grants.
SEN Annual Review Digital Returns
Annual Reviews for children with a statement of special needs can now be completed by digital returns on EA Connect creating a seamless, easy to follow review process for both school users and parents.
Parents – For more information view: SEN Annual Reviews
Schools – For more information view: SEN Annual Reviews (Schools)
Admissions
Parents can apply for their child’s pre-school, primary one and Year 8 post primary school places on EA Connect, by completing an application and uploading support documentation online when the application windows are open.
Notifications of outcomes are issued direct from EA Connect. All parents applying for a child’s pre-school or school place in future will be notified of the outcome of their application digitally, both through the portal and via email.
Parents – For more information view: Admissions
Schools - For more information view: Admissions Resource Hub
Key Stats for 2024-25 term
- 59,729 FSM applications submitted via EA Connect with 237,053 supporting documents uploaded.
- 4,783 Primary and 25,207 Post Primary Home to School Transport applications submitted and 5,280 for Further Education Transport.
- Over 71,000 school admission applications including the upload of around 170,000 supporting documents.
- Over 120,00 parents accessed EA Connect for services in 2024.
- 700 schools are accessing EA Connect for Annual Reviews.
- Schools initiated 16,327 Annual Reviews and completed 15,709 in 2023/24.