Primary Education
Every child is required by law to receive full time education from the beginning of the school term after his/her fifth birthday. In CCBC, however, all children are able to start school full time at the beginning of the school year (September) in which they become five i.e. between the 1st September and the 31st August. Parents are able to defer the start of a child until the term following their fifth birthday. All children are able to attend school on a part time basis in the September following their third birthday.
Children between the ages of 3/4-11 are recognised as pupils receiving primary education. In Caerphilly County Borough, primary education is provided either in separate infant or junior schools, or in primary schools with one complete 3/4 -11 age range.
Reduction of Infant Class Sizes
Choosing a school for the first time for a young child is especially important, both for parents and for children themselves. In accordance, with Infant Class Size Legislation, infant classes at a maintained school should contain no more than 30 pupils where a teaching session is managed by a single qualified teacher (or where the session is managed by more than one qualified teacher, no more than 30 pupils for every teacher).
Admission to an Early Years Placement at a Nursery School
Children born between the 1st September and the 31st March maybe entitled to an Early Years placement (term after their 3rd birthday) at their local Primary/Infant school dependent on availability. Where a school has reached their Admission Number in their current nursery and where the in-catchment pupils exceed 70%, only pupils who reside within the schools catchment area will be admitted into an Early Years placement.
Admission to Nursery School
The number of places available in a nursery year is set by the LA and the decision whether to admit your child will be taken in accordance with the LA’s guidelines.
Note – Pupils who are admitted into a nursery year will not have an automatic right to continued education within that school. A formal application must be made for entry into the reception year at the appropriate time.
Admission to Infant Schools or Infant Department within Primary Schools
Pupils who attain the age of five during the school year may be admitted to an infant school/department, at the commencement of the school year in September. Pupils admitted to a separate infant school will not have an ‘automatic’ right to continued education at the feeder Junior School which serves the same catchment area. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate such pupils, a formal application must be made for transfer to the Junior school at the appropriate time.
Transfer to Junior Schools
Children enter or transfer to a Junior School on the first day of the Autumn term following their seventh birthday. In Primary Schools the infant and junior sections are simply departments of the same school and children progress through the school from the infants to juniors without having to transfer elsewhere.
Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate such pupils, a formal application must be made for transfer to the Junior school at the appropriate time.
Changing Schools
Primary Education Changing schools during primary education is a significant step for your child to take. In the case of moving the familyhome, suchadecisionmaywellbeanecessity andyouwillneedtocontact yourlocal schoolortheDirectorate of Education and Corporate Services for assistance. If, however, you wouldlike your childtotransfer from one school to another, please contact the Headteacher of your child’s current school first. Should you still wish to proceed with these transfer arrangements; you can apply at https://caerphilly.gov.uk/schooladmissions.
If there is a suitable vacancy, your child will be admitted to the school. Parents should note, however, that classes may include more than one age group and the Headteacher will have the task of locating your child in the most appropriate class.
Admission to Secondary Schools
Children normally transfer from primary school to secondary school at the beginning of the school year following their eleventh birthday. If your child was born between 1st September and 31st August, she/he will transfer to secondary school in September. Headteachers of primary schools will be able to inform parents of the secondary school which their children should normally attend. It should be noted that the home address denotes which school is the ‘catchment’ school and not the primary school attended. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate pupils, an application must be made for transfer to secondary schools at the appropriate time.
Changing Secondary School
Changing secondary schools is a significant step for your child to take. In the case of moving the family home, such a decision may well be a necessity and you will need to contact your local school or the Directorate of Education and Corporate Services for assistance. If however, you would like your child to transfer from one secondary school to another, please contact your present Headteacher first. Should you still wish to proceed with these transfer arrangements; you must contact the Directorate of Education and Corporate Services for advice in making your application, which will then be required in writing. In considering your request for transfer, the LA will review the number of pupils in the year group relevant to your child. If the child is in years 10 or 11, the range of subject options chosen may also be a factor. If that particular year has not reached the school’s admissions number, then your child will be admitted to the school. Parents should note, however, that curriculum option choices may vary from school to school.
Applying for a Place
When you apply for a place at a particular school, you must complete the relevant application form online at https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/schooladmissions Page | 15 You must apply by the closing date for admission in September. If you require assistance with completing the form, please contact the school admissions team on 01443 864870. The LA will inform you whether, or not it is possible for your child to attend your preferred school. Each school produces aprospectus,whichcontains relevant informationincludingschool aims andeducationalbeliefs,theorganization of the school and curriculum opportunities, including out of school activities. This school prospectus is available from the Headteacher.
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