Cockton Hill Junior School has an admission number of 240 pupils and where possible we keep this to class sizes of 30 pupils. Children can be transferred from another school at any time, provided that there is a place available.
School admissions and in year transfers are managed by Durham County Council School Admissions Team and can be contacted on 03000 265 896. Alternatively visit the Durham County Council website for information about school places and guidance on how to apply at www.durham.gov.uk/schools.
We would ask parents and carers to contact the school prior to submitting a request for a school place to discuss the admission or school move.This means that any identified needs can be shared prior to starting school so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Families are welcome to visit the school by making an appointment via the school office. This will also support the transition process from previous schools and allow important information about pupils to be passed on. Advice from the Local Authority or other agencies may be requested to ensure that the school can meet any needs appropriately.
Transfer from Infant schools
The majority of our children in year 3 transfer from Cockton Hill Infant School, however, a small number join us from elsewhere. As a junior school we are keen to ensure the change from infant to junior school life is a smooth as possible and we work closely with our infant school partners on a number of events throughout the year to familiarise our youngest pupils with the junior school environment. Throughout the third term of year 2 the children will make additional visits to Cockton Hill Junior School and the respective teachers will have conferred closely as to the needs of every child. We endeavour to ensure that anxieties and concerns about the move will be allayed for both parents and children. Our close relationship with our infant colleagues means that specific barriers to learning can be managed effectively so ensuring the continued progress of every child. The junior school maintains the class structure already established by the infant school but reserve the right to move children if it is believed to be in their own, and others, best interests within the first year.
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Children and young people with an EHCP follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs. The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care Plan assessment or following the most review meeting.
If your child has an EHCP, or is undergoing an Education, Health and Care needs assessment, you should contact the SEND Casework Team for advice. They can be contacted on 03000 265 878 and via email at sencasework@durham.gov.uk.
Arrangements for admission of pupils with disabilities
All children will have the same access rights. The school is very willing to review the facilities it offers and is willing to make modifications if required in order to meet the needs of our children. The school has undergone major building work to improve the access arrangements within the building.
Mrs J Cooper is the designated Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) and can be contacted via the school office.
If you would like a paper copy (or any other format) of any of our documents on our website please speak to the school office, who will provide them to you free of charge.
If you require further information about any of the items shown in this section, please contact the school office and we will do our best to help.
