When is the deadline to submit application forms?
The deadline for Surrey to receive secondary school applications is 31st October.
What forms do I need to submit to the Local Authority and which forms must be sent to the school?
The local authority requires you to complete the online common application form by the 31st October; this can be accessed via www.surreycc.gov.uk/admissions. At SJB we require you to complete the supplementary information form and return it to us with a copy of your child's Baptism certificate if applicable by 31st October.
Does a priest need to sign my application form?
Yes. Given the restrictions to collective worship brought about by COVID-19, we would suggest that you speak to your local parish about how you go about obtaining your priests signature.
I am not Catholic. Can I still apply?
Yes. Any family has the right to apply for a place. Once your application is received, each child is placed into the relevant admissions category before places are allocated. Details of these categories our within the admissions policy which is available on our school website.
I am Catholic, but am not in a feeder school. Can I still apply?
Yes. Any family has the right to apply for a place. Once your application is received, each child is placed into the relevant admissions category before places are allocated. Details of these categories our within the admissions policy which is available on our school website.
My other children attend the school. Is my child guaranteed a place?
We are never able to guarantee a child a place at SJB. If your child is Catholic, has a sibling in school and attends one of our four feeder schools, it is highly likely they will receive a place.
When will I hear if my child has been offered a place?
The offer will come directly from Surrey CC on the 1st March.
What happens if my child is not offered a place?
If you do not receive an offer of a place at SJB you are welcome to contact us to discuss the waiting list and appeals process. You will not be automictically placed on the waiting list.
What subjects will my child study at SJB?
In Year 7, 8 and 9 students study a fixed curriculum consisting of English, Maths, Science, RE, PE, Languages, History, Geography, Drama, Music, Art, Computer Science, Design Technology and PSHE. As they move into Year 10 they will have some options as to what they wish to study alongside the core curriculum of English (Language and Literature), Maths, RE, Combined Science, a Modern Foreign Language, PSHE and Core PE. Some of the options currently available include Geography, History, Business Studies, Media Studies, PE, Product Design (Resistant Materials and Graphics), Food Technology and Art.
What languages will my child be able to study at SJB?
In Year 7 all students study three modern foreign languages on a carousel; French, Spanish and Italian. This gives them the opportunity to try each one out before making a choice at the end of Year 7 as to which language they would like to continue into Year 8. We have set up the curriculum this way as we feel it provides our students with the opportunity to spend more time studying one language to a greater depth from Year 8 onwards and evidence shows that this generally leads to greater enjoyment and fluency later in on.
What extra-curricular clubs does SJB offer?
We run an extensive extra-curricular program that covers everything from football and netball to climbing, debating, chess and a wide range of choirs and instrumental groups; there is something to suit everyone! We encourage all our students to participate in at least one extra-curricular activity. There are a few clubs that run during lunch time but the majority of them are scheduled after school. At the start of Year 7 the students are given information about all the clubs available to them.
What are the timings of the normal school day?
School begins 8.50am with registration and finishes at 3.25pm
How many lessons will my child have each day?
Each day the students' study six 50-minute lessons. The day also contains a 25-minute form time, a 20-minute morning break and 50-minute lunch period.
How much homework will they be set?
We believe that homework should be both purposeful and enjoyable for the students – we don't want them spending time completing tasks that aren't assessed when they could be out having fun after school! However, we also believe it is important to support the students in establishing good working habits outside school so that they can be best prepared for the additional work required in Year 11, 12 and 13. For this reason we have a homework timetable which sees the students regularly completing 20 minutes per night in Year 7, 30 minutes per night in Year 8, 40 minutes per night in Year 9 and so on, gradually building up to 18 hours per week in Year 12/13. Alongside this in Year 7 and 8 there are opportunities for larger projects to be set at specific times of the year.
I hear all children at SJB have an iPad, do I have to buy a school iPad if my child already has one?
We do expect all children to have an iPad to use in school each day to support their learning. Students can use an existing iPad for school work if they wish to do so or you can buy into the school scheme and pay monthly. If you do decide to provide your own iPad then we will require them to be linked to the schools operating systems in order to provide global settings such as access to the school Wi-Fi. If your child is allocated at a place at SJB we will send further information to you about how this scheme works.
What opportunities will my child have to strengthen their faith?
Every day the students observe a daily act of worship either collectively as a whole school, as a year group or as a tutor group. They make time for prayer and for exploring their faith during these times. Alongside this we hold several school masses and liturgies throughout the year that are supported by the priests within our local parishes. We have strong links with the Parish of St Dunstan's and enjoy celebrating mass with Father Peter and Father Simon each week on a Friday morning in our Chapel. We have a full-time school Chaplain, and the students have the opportunity to deepen their faith through reflection days each year. We are also very proud of the charitable work the students do be it raising much needed money for charity during Lent or supporting sick pilgrims in Lourdes each year.
When they are in Year 7, if I have a concern or question who should my initial contact at the school be?
If you have any questions or queries your child's Head of Year is a suitable place to start or alternatively the main office.
What is the school uniform like? Where can I buy it?
You can find out all the information you need about our school uniform and where you purchase it on our website.
Can I drop my child at school early or collect later?
Yes. Students can be in school from 7am until 5.45pm each day. Please note, they may not necessarily be supervised between the hours of 7am – 8.50am and 3.25pm – 5.45pm.
How does my child pay for school dinners?
The school canteen operates a cashless catering system. Parents can top their child's account through Scopay and they can then use their finger print to purchase food/drinks. This will also allow you to see what your child has purchased each day; you can set spending limits!
I live in Camberley. How will my child get to school?
Students who live over the Camberley/Frimley/Bagshot side of Surrey are normally bused into school by D&P coaches. This is an externally arranged and organised directly through D&P. Information about how you can arrange this will be sent to parents once they have been offered a place in the school.
Can I drop/pick-up my child at school each day?
Those of you who have visited SJB before will know we are inconveniently located at the end of a cul-de-sac. With 1500 students arriving and leaving school each day, the road can get very busy. It can cause friction with the local residents if parents try to drop-off or pick-up their children from the school gate or White Rose Lane. Therefore, we ask any parents driving their children to school to drop-off and pick them up from the car park at Woking Leisure Centre.
Will my child receive a locker to keep their belongings in at school?
It is up to you whether your child has a locker or not. They can be rented directly from Secure Locker Rentals. Once you have been offered a place at SJB, further information will follow on how to reserve a locker.
How can parents get involved in supporting the wider life of the school?
We have a small PTA who work really hard to support the school in raising money through the SJB Club and a few other events throughout the year. It is a little different at SJB than at primary school; we don't ask parents to make cakes and bring bottles in for a fair each year, instead we ask you to join the SJB if you feel you can contribute monthly to supporting the wider life of the school – there is a monthly prize draw where you can win up to £250! Mary, the Chair of the PTA will provide more information in the summer term.
What pastoral care is available at SJB to help support my child?
When your child joins in Year 7 they will be initially allocated a form tutor who will set them up and make sure they are ready for each day. Your child will also have a Head of Year who will be on hand to support the students and their families with any particular needs they have and ensure the highest possible standards every day in Year 7. We also have a full-time school Chaplain and Counsellor who will support any student as and when the need arises. Finally, we have an Assistant Headteacher who oversees and supports the whole pastoral team in Key Stage 3.
What provision is in place to support my child's transition from primary school?
The Head of Year 7 visits all our feeder schools in June to meet with the students and their current teacher. If your child isn't coming to SJB from one of our four feeder schools then don't worry the Head of Year 7 will still speak to their current teacher to find out all about them. We also run a Year 6 into 7 day at the end of June where all the new Year 7s come to SJB for the day; this is great opportunity for them to experience what life is like at SJB and what it is like to be part of a year group of 240 children who move around the school between lessons. This is a great day and the students all get the opportunity to meet some of their new teachers and make some new friends before starting in September.
My child has a diagnosed special educational need, is there additional support available with transition from primary school?
Our SENCO and Head of Learning Support will meet with the SENCO at your child's school to discuss their individual needs and how we can best support them. Depending on your child's needs, they may be invited to be part of a more staggered transition programme where the students are given additional time to visit the school in the summer term. This provides further opportunities to meet the Learning Support department staff who will be working with them and supporting them in school. We will always ensure that every child who has an EHCP has been into school with their parents prior to starting in September.