School Admissions and Attendance
Admissions
Children are offered a place in the September of the academic year in which they will become five years old. In line with government legislation classes do not exceed thirty and are kept as small as possible.
The process of applying to a school can be a daunting one, particularly for parents who haven't done it before, but we endeavour to make it as simple as possible.
Please click on the link at the bottom of this page to see our admission policy. For in- year applications please contact the School Office.
Come and Visit Us
In the autumn term we hold an open morning, the date of which will be publicised on the website and in local newspapers. This is a chance to meet with the Headteacher, Governors and members of FONSAP (Friends of Newdigate School and Preschool), but visits are warmly welcomed from families at other times by arrangement via the school office.
Application Forms
As a Voluntary Aided school we are our own admissions authority which means that admissions are based on criteria in a policy agreed by the Governors. For those applying under the Church related criteria there is a supplementary form to complete; follow the link to download the form Newdigate School Supplementary Information Form. We are part of the Surrey Co-Ordinated Scheme of Admissions which means that much of the administration to do with admissions is dealt with by the local authority and in accordance with the law, admissions are based on an equal preference system. A Surrey Schools Admissions form must be completed and Surrey encourages this to be done online wherever possible. Surrey Admissions Website Admissions forms generally have to be returned by a closing date in January and details of the current years dates can be found on the Surrey Admissions website.
Where Do our Children Come From?
We do not have a specified catchment area although those within the parish of Newdigate are given priority over those outside the parish. However, in 2015 our intake included children coming from over 16 miles away as the crow flies which is Surrey's way of measuring distance for the purpose of admissions.
Induction Process
A letter or e-mail informing parents of allocation of a place will be sent by Surrey County Council in April. Once the place has been accepted the induction process will commence. Parents are invited to a welcome meeting at which various aspects of school life will be explained, information handed out and school specific items of uniform will be available for purchase. The children will be invited for a number of story sessions during the second half of the summer term. Children at Newdigate Pre-School also have the opportunity to join us for school lunch on a number of occasions during this term. Home visits can be arranged if required.
Transfer at the end of Year 2
At the end of Year 2 children transfer to a number of local junior schools. In recent years these have included The Weald, Sandcross, North Downs, Surrey Hills and several independent schools. Staff from the new schools visit children here at Newdigate Infant School and the children attend induction days at their new schools during the summer term. A detailed handover is made of records relating to the children's progress whilst at Newdigate Infant School.
For further information please visit the Surrey County Council website: Apply for a place at a primary, infant or junior school - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)
Attachments
Attendance
By law children must attend school when it is in session unless they are unwell. If your child is ill, please telephone and inform us immediately. Please inform teachers in advance of any absences due to medical appointments.
Children are always happier and eager to learn if they arrive promptly, therefore we ask you to be on-time when bringing your child to school, similarly at the end of the day a prompt pick-up will avoid any unnecessary upset or worry. Children are welcomed into their classrooms in from 08:50, with registration closing at 9am. School ends at 15:00 for Reception children and 15:10 for Year 1 and Year 2.
Parents and carers should avoid taking children out of school during term time in order to go on holiday. Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The regulations make it clear that parents do not have any right or entitlement to take a child out of school for the purposes of term-time holiday. However, if you feel that it is absolutely unavoidable, then you should complete an 'Application for Leave of Absence' form and return it to the Headteacher at least one month in advance, making it very clear how the circumstances are exceptional. By 'exceptional' we would expect the circumstances to be of unique and significant emotional, educational or spiritual value to your child, which outweighs the loss of teaching time. NB: No leave will be authorised for Year 2 children during the assessment month of May.
If leave is taken after permission has been withheld, then this will be recorded as unauthorised absence. This is the same as truancy. This will appear both in the school register and in your child's report. Persistent unauthorised absence may result in the involvement of the Eduation Welfare Officer and possible legal proceedings.
Application for leave of absence
When your child is ill
Parents are requested not to send their child to school if they are unwell. Please phone the school office (01306 631353) on the first morning of absence by 9.30am. When your child returns to school a note should be sent to school to explain the absence for our records. We currently insist on 48 hours off, if the child has had diarrhoea or sickness in line with Government recommendations.
