Visiting the School

We understand that prospective parents will be keen to visit St. Joseph's in advance of choosing our school for their child. We are holding two Open Mornings in the Autumn Term, on Thursday 17th October and Tuesday 5th November at 9.30am with an introduction from the Headteacher followed by a tour of the school. In addition, we hold regular tours of the school during October and November during the school day, to give new parents an insight into our ethos and all we have on offer. Numbers on each tour are limited and places must be pre-booked by contacting the School Office on 01306 883934 or office@stjosephs-dorking.surrey.sch.uk 

We hope also that the film posted below, which was filmed for prospective Year R parents during Covid restrictions, will also give you a flavour of life at our school.    We look forward to welcoming you.

 

Admissions Policy and Procedures

St. Joseph’s is a voluntary aided school in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton.  The school was founded by and is part of the Catholic Church and is in Trusteeship of the Diocese.The school is conducted as a Catholic school in accordance with canon law, the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton. It seeks at all times to be a witness to Jesus Christ.

The school offers a Catholic education. The governors expect that parents applying for places for their children will accept and uphold the Catholic character and ethos of the school. The school was set up primarily to serve the Catholic community in St. Joseph’s Parish, Dorking. The relevant parish map can be viewed by clicking the link below. Although Catholic children have priority of admission, the Governing Body also welcomes applications from those of other denominations and faiths who support the religious ethos of the school.

Having consulted with the Diocese, Local Authority, other admission authorities and other relevant groups, the Governors intend to admit into the reception class, in September 2025, up to 27 pupils without reference to ability or aptitude.

Please click on the links below to view our Admission Policy for the relevant year which details our admission procedures and criteria and explains how to apply for a place.   Our school application form, the Supplementary Information Form, is also available to download.  

All applications must be made by 15th January 2025.

Further information regarding admissions arrangements and applying for school places may be found on the Surrey County Council website  https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions

 

In-Year Admissions

In-Year Admissions for St. Joseph’s School from 1 September 2024 until 18 July 2025

What are In Year Admissions?

You can make an in-year application if your child needs to join a school outside of the normal admissions round - for example, if you move house and your child can no longer attend their current school.

How Parents can apply for a school place

If you want to apply for an In-Year admission to St. Joseph’s, you need to complete:

1. A Centrally Managed Application for In-Year admission to a school (CMA) – Application Form

• The CMA Application Form can be found on Surrey's In-Year Admissions webpage which can be accessed via the link below:  

            https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/in-year

• You MUST scan or photograph your completed CMA Application Form and supporting evidence and email it to: schooladmissions@surreycc.gov.uk. If you are unable to email it, please post to Surrey School Admissions Team, Surrey County Council, PO Box475, Reigate, RH2 2HP.  

2. The School’s Supplementary Information Form (SIF)

• The SIF is available to download below
• You MUST return the Supplementary Information Form to the school for the attention of: Mrs Lisa Cook St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Norfolk Road, Dorking, RH4 3JA or email a scanned copy to office@stjosephsdorking.surrey.sch.uk

Who processes your application?

The governing body is the admissions authority for St. Joseph’s and has responsibility for admissions to the school, including setting the priority of admissions when the school is oversubscribed. Applications should be made via Surrey County Council. Details of how to apply can be found on the In-Year admission pages of their website. The governing body will consider if the school has any vacancies and if so, whether they are able to offer a place. The school will contact you to let you know the outcome of your application.

When will parents be notified of the outcome of their application?

Upon receipt of an In-Year application, the school will aim to notify parents of the outcome of the application  within 10 school days.  You must respond to any offer of a place within two weeks.

The right to appeal

If you are refused a place at any school you applied for, you have the right to make an appeal to an independent appeal panel. Where an application is refused, the school will set out the reason for refusal.

For applications for In Year Admissions, appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. If parents wish to appeal, they must set out the grounds for appeal in writing.

Other Information

Where an applicant is offered a school place following an in-year application, and the offer is accepted, arrangements should be made for the child to start school as soon as possible, particularly where the child is out of school.

If your child is not offered a place, you can add their name to a waiting list. Waiting lists are ranked according to each school’s admission criteria. Your child’s position on a waiting list may go down as well as up, for example, if other children with greater priority according to the school’s admission criteria are added to the list.

Note: a hard copy of this online page is available on request for parents who don’t have internet access

Admissions Appeals

Parents whose applications for places are unsuccessful may appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel set up in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.   Appeals must be made in writing and must set out the reasons on which the appeal is made. 

School Admission Appeals Timetable

In year or Immediate Entry Appeals

Appeals resulting from in year admission applications will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

September 2024 Entry Appeals

Appeals resulting from year of entry or transfer applications for admission in September 2024 will be heard according to the following timetable

Offer Date:	Appeal Lodged By:	Appeals to be heard by:
16 April 2024	15 May 2024	17 July 2024 (40 School days)

Please note, appeals will not start being heard until after the relevant closing date has passed.

Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date.

Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing at least 10 clear school days in advance of the hearing.

Appellants will be sent a copy of the school's case 7 clear working days in advance of the hearing.

Appellants must ensure that any further evidence not included with their initial appeal, is received by 5pm on the day notified in the letter with details of the hearing.   Any additional evidence or information received after this date might not be considered at the appeal hearing.