General Information

Well over a century ago, our school was built by members of Busbridge Church, and we have enjoyed a close relationship ever since. As a Christian school we value our assembly: a daily act of worship where we can also share and celebrate our achievements and successes. Assemblies are often linked to the church calendar or topical themes, and are enriched by regular outside visitors, who can provide a wider view of the world. We celebrate festivals such as Easter, Harvest and Christmas with services in the church.

Our links with Busbridge Church are extensive and wide ranging. Many of our governors are nominated by the church and its staff and members are involved in assemblies, clubs and trips. The church also provides financial support for building maintenance and other projects. The church community uses the school premises for Sunday worship, youth activities and other events.

Both church and school benefit greatly from this excellent association and are enriched by it.

Should a parent prefer, their child may be excused participation in aspects of worship and religious education.

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We value:

• respect for each member of our community as an individual and aim to cater for his or her unique needs
• a life long love of learning which promotes enquiring and lively minds
• a worshipful Christian community within which every child grows to understand their value before God
• an environment which fosters learning and the best qualities of mind, body and spirit
• a broad and balanced curriculum which stimulates a sense of awe and wonder
• the celebration of diversity in all creeds, cultures and races
• the development of self-esteem and a positive attitude towards others
• creativity, enjoyment and excellence in all we do
• mutually supportive relationships between pupils, staff, parents, governors, church and community
• ambition and achievement - 'reach for the stars!'.

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Each year the Governors of Busbridge Junior School will admit 60 children for entry into Year 3 in accordance with the official Published Admissions Number (PAN) for the school. This number will be reviewed annually.

If the number of applications for admission into the school exceeds the PAN for any year, the Governors will apply their Admissions Policy, which gives priority according to the categories below.

1. Children in Care.

2. Children with a documented social or medical need to attend this school.

3. Children of families who will have another child still at the school when the sibling starts in September.

4. Children whose parents are practising/communicant members of the two Churches of the United Benefice of Busbridge and Hambledon.

Applications under this category should be supported by a letter from the Rector to be attached to the admission form.

5a) Children whose parents are practising/communicant members of the Church of England and desire a place at a denominational school where there is no nearer Church of England denominational school to the home address.

5b) Children whose parents have proven links with other Christian denominations in Godalming and desire a place at a denominational school where no nearer place exists.

Applications for entry on a denominational basis must be supported by a reference from a parish priest and/or others. Similar supportive evidence should be provided of links with other denominations wherever relevant. This reference must be attached to the admission form.

The total number of places reserved for applicants in categories 5a and 5b together will be three per annum. Preference will be given to those applicants in category 5a. Should the total number of applications in 5a and 5b together total more than three, then proximity to the school (as defined below) will be the deciding factor in each category.

6. Children who reside within the fixed (and published) catchment area for the school. When determining the catchment area in each year the Governors have given careful consideration to:

• the boundary of Busbridge Parish, which this Church School was established to serve
• the established links with Bargate Wood, Tuesley Lane and roads accessed from it which are geographically and socially part of Busbridge community.

7. Any child of a parent who wishes them to attend Busbridge Junior School.

Notes:

If any category is oversubscribed, then proximity to the school based on the radial (straight line) distance measured from home to school will be the deciding factor.

In accordance with the DfES Code of Practice on Admissions, priority is given to children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

The names of pupils not initially awarded a place at the school will be held on a waiting list. Any place that becomes vacant will be offered on the basis of the above criteria applied at that time.

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Busbridge Junior School as a Church of England Voluntary Aided school is its own Admission Authority.

Each year the Governors of Busbridge Junior School will admit 60 children for entry into Year 3 in accordance with the official Published Admissions Number (PAN) for the school. This number will be kept under review.

If the number of applications for admission into the school exceeds the PAN for any year, the Governors will apply their Admissions Policy, which gives priority according to the categories below:

1. Looked after children

2. Children with documented medical or social needs supported by written evidence supplied with the application from a relevant health official (eg medical consultant or social worker), which should set out why Busbridge Junior School is the most suitable school and why another school may not be appropriate.
(The Governing Body reserves the right to take advice from the Local Authority, support agencies and medical consultants before making a decision)

3. Children of families who will have another child still at the school when the sibling starts in September. (For this purpose “child” includes all those children living permanently in the household and as part of the same family)

4. Children whose parents are active members of the two Churches of the United Benefice of Busbridge and Hambledon.

Applications under this category must be endorsed by a letter from the Rector to be attached to the admission form, setting out evidence of such active involvement in these churches.

5a) Children whose parents are active members of the Church of England and desire a place at a denominational school where there is no nearer Church of England denominational school to the home address.

5b) Children whose parents have links with other Christian denominations in Godalming and desire a place at a denominational school where no nearer place exists.

Applications for entry under Criteria 5a or 5b must be endorsed by a letter from a parish priest and/or other minister. This letter, setting out evidence of such active involvement or links, must be attached to the admission form.

The total number of places reserved for applicants in categories 5a and 5b together will be three per annum. Preference will be given to those applicants in category 5a. Should the total number of applications in 5a and 5b together total more than three, then proximity to the school (as defined below) will be the deciding factor in each category.

6. Children who reside within the fixed catchment area for the school. A map of the catchment area is available for inspection in the school office. When determining the catchment area in each year the Governors have given careful consideration to:

• the boundary of Busbridge Parish, which this Church School was established to serve
• the established links with Bargate Wood, Tuesley Lane and roads accessed from it which are geographically and socially part of Busbridge community.

7. Any child of a parent who wishes them to attend Busbridge Junior School.

Notes:

If any category is oversubscribed, then the deciding factor will be the distance measured in a straight line from the address point of the applicant’s house, as set by Ordnance Survey, to the nearest school gate available for pupils to use. This is calculated using the Surrey County Council Admission and Transport Team’s Geographical Information System.

The names of applicants for Year 3 not initially awarded a place at the school will be held on a waiting list for only one term after the start of the academic year 2010/2011 to which the applications relate. Any place that becomes vacant will be offered on the basis of the above criteria applied at the time of the offer to all names on the waiting list, irrespective of when they were added.

Applications for entry into Year 3 that are received after the date that Busbridge Junior School submits the ranked list of applicants to Surrey County Council in January 2010, will be considered as late and will not be dealt with until those meeting the original deadline have been processed, at which time they will be added to the Year 3 waiting list.

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As a Christian school high standards of behaviour, self discipline and a caring attitude to others are encouraged. All children are expected to be polite and well behaved in order to work and co-operate with others effectively. We operate a positive approach to discipline, with the emphasis on rewarding good behaviour and work. Recognition is given through our house point system, badges, certificates and whole class incentives.

Behaviour difficulties are dealt with by class teachers, the Deputy Headteacher or Headteacher as appropriate. Parents will be invited to discuss problems if serious.

When all measures have failed to bring about an acceptable standard of behaviour the Governing Body may exclude a child as a final sanction.

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We arrange a variety of interesting and exciting trips away from the school site, such as Butser Ancient Farm in Year 3 and Hampton Court in Year 4. We also offer a range of exciting residential trips; Year 4 to Sayers Croft Field Centre in Cranleigh, Year 5 to Little Canada multi-activity centre on the Isle of Wight and Year 6 to Somerset with a Geography and History focus.

Visits very close to school are also made, such as to Busbridge Church and Busbridge Infant School's sports field.

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The relationship between parents and the school is very important to us: we are partners in your child's education. We warmly welcome your involvement and value help with a variety of activities including school trips and after school clubs.

Interview evenings are arranged in the autumn and spring terms, giving parents the opportunity to discuss their child's work with the teacher. An annual Pupil Report is sent home in July. An open evening held in the summer term enables parents to view the work of the whole school.

School policies and the National Curriculum are available by arrangement with the school office.

Newsletters are sent home regularly to parents to keep everyone up to date with the life of the school.

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To and From School
Children should not be in school before 8.45am. School finishes at 3:30pm and children should be collected by 3:40pm.

School responsibility for pupils ceases at 3.45pm. Children left unattended at the school gate after 3:45pm will be asked to wait in reception.

The Brighton Road is a busy one. Families and children must only cross at the pelican crossing.

Parking
Parking is a problem, especially at home time; please try to park away from school, and share lifts with other families.

Lunch Break
Children may have school lunches, or bring a packed lunch. We recommend our tasty and nutritious school meals, and the canteen offers a choice each lunchtime. Weekly notice must be given to change from one arrangement to another..

Payment of money to school
All cheques paid for visits, swimming etc must be made payable to: 'Busbridge Junior School'

Please note that any cheques for payment of school lunches should be made payable to 'Surrey County Council'. It is now possible to pay online and details can be obtained from the school office.

All monies must be handed in to the teacher in the early morning in a named envelope.

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Homework is set to extend and supplement learning and should be a relevant and purposeful activity. We see homework as a shared responsibility between home and school and encourage parents to become involved by allowing children time, space and access to an interested adult. A diary is used to communicate with parents about homework and we encourage parents to check and sign this weekly.

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We believe our school uniform creates a sense of equality and belonging, and we encourage the children to wear it with pride.

Coats and Hats
A warm and waterproof garment is essential for children using our open site. A blue school fleece * is also available.

All items MUST be named. Since space is limited please keep school bags small.

Items marked * are available from Wefit School Outfitters on 01428 683326.

Jewellery
This may not be worn at school, except for stud earrings for those with pierced ears, which must be removed for PE lessons. Watches are also removed for PE and therefore must be named.

Hair Styles
Extreme haircuts or styles are not appropriate for school. Please ensure that children have something to tie up long hair for PE.

Lost Property
Lost clothing and larger items are put into the green-lidded boxes on the playground. Smaller items are given to the office staff. At the end of each half term lost property will be returned (if named) or either sold as second-hand uniform or otherwise disposed of.

It would be helpful if your child could have the following items to use at school;

• school book bag (from Wefit)

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Anti-Bullying Policy
Art & Design Policy
Behaviour & Discipline Policy
Design & Technology Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy
Health & Safety Policy
History Policy
Information & Communication Technology Policy
Maths Policy
Outdoor & Educational Visits Policy
PSHE & Citizenship Policy
Racial Equality Policy
Safeguarding Policy
Special Educational Needs Policy
Teaching & Learning Policy

Please note: you will need the free Acrobat Reader to read these Policies.

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Change of Information
The school keeps a confidential record of children's addresses, telephone numbers etc. It is important to notify the school immediately of any change of details to enable us to contact a member of the family in an emergency.

Medicines
You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire regarding your child's health. If your child needs any medicines to be kept at school you will also be asked to fill in a separate form, and supply the medicine in a named container, ideally also supplying a small photo for ease of identification of your child.

It is essential that you inform the school of any health problems affecting your child. Please include this on the school application form or in a letter to the school office.

Illness during the school day
If your child is ill at school, you will be contacted by telephone. Please come to the school office to collect your child.

Absences
If your child is absent, please telephone the school office on the first day of absence by 9:15am and provide a letter of explanation when the child returns. There is an answerphone out of school hours.

Medical appointments should preferably be made out of school time, but if an absence is unavoidable, please make the request for absence in writing. Young children with appointments during the school day should be met in school.

We discourage family holidays in term time. If this is unavoidable, please ask the school office for a holiday request form. Permission can only be granted for absences up to the government limit of 10 school days.

Concerns and Complaints Procedure
If a parent has any worries or concerns about their child at school they should initially talk to the class teacher or a member of the school management team. Most concerns are resolved at this level.

If necessary a complaint will be dealt with by the Headteacher. If a problem is not resolved by the school, the Chairman of the Governors can investigate the issue. The matter can be pursued further by contacting the Local Authority and finally the Department for Education. Further details are available from the school.

Availability of Documents
Copies of documents such as the School Prospectus, policies, National Curriculum etc are available at the school.

Emergency Procedure
In event of any school emergency, a notice will be displayed at the school entrance and a message broadcast on County Sound Radio.

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