The school has four classes organised by age into three stages, Foundation Stage Unit, which includes Nursery and Reception children, Key Stage 1, Year 1 and Year 2 children (5-7 year olds), and Key Stage 2 which includes all children in Years 3 – 6, (7-11 year olds).
We have an admission limit of 18 pupils per year group. Pre-school provision is provided in our fabulous Nursery (EYFS Unit). We offer free 15 and 30 hour provision for all 3 year olds. Additional sessions can be purchased and Nursery age children can also stay for lunch.
Most activities occur within the class structure although on occasions a mixed Key Stage system is used for some activities, we believe this helps foster co-operation and caring between children.
The Local Authority is currently admitting children in the September of the year in which they are five Parents of children moving into the area who are interested in a place are advised to visit us and in the first instance to contact the school and speak to the Head Teacher.
Admission to our Nursery Class
Is my child eligible for 15 or 30 hours?
All children aged 3-4 are entitled to 15 free hours in school term time from the start of the school term that follows their 3rd birthday. Some children will also be able to access an additional 15 free hours depending on the Government’s eligibility criteria being met by their parent(s):
You can check your child’s entitlement to 15/30 free hours via Childcare Choices at:
Childcare Choices or the Childcare Calculator
These websites also provide information about other forms of childcare support including childcare vouchers and the new tax-free scheme. Those who could be eligible for 30 hours and/or Tax-Free Childcare will be directed to the digital childcare service to apply. Both schemes work through the same checking system. Parents who don’t want to use Tax-Free Childcare should still apply via the digital childcare service (you can choose to apply for the extended 30 hours entitlement only). If they are receiving financial support through tax credits (or childcare vouchers through an employer) and only want to take up 30 hours, you can choose not to apply for Tax-Free Childcare (and keep your tax credits/childcare vouchers) as part of the application. Please note that you can check your eligibility for the 30 free hours prior to an offer being made – we advise parents to do this as soon as possible so that the free hours place can be confirmed as quickly as possible. Please see additional information about the checking service at the bottom of this webpage.
When does the free 15/30 hours entitlement begin?
- Child born between 1 April – 31 August: September term intake
- Child born between 1 September – 31 December: January term intake
- Child born between 1 January – 31 March: April term intake
You can apply for a place in the Nursery by email to cockfield@durhamlearning.net. You may also collect an application form from the school office. You will receive confirmation that your application has been received (please allow up to 14 days for this). Your child’s name will be held on our waiting list and you will be informed when a place is available. A 15 hours place is offered subject to proof of your child’s age being provided to the school office prior to the start date. A 30 hours place is offered subject to proof of your child’s age AND proof of parental eligibility being provided to the school office through a fully completed eligibility checking form prior to the start of term. This form is provided to parents when an offer of a place is made. 30 hours places are also subject to eligibility criteria continuing to be met during your child’s time in our nursery setting.
Government Information
How will parents apply for 30 hours?
As part of the application process, parents will be asked to enter personal details including their name, address and National Insurance number and the same details for their partner (if they have one). They will also be asked whether they expect to meet the income requirements over the coming three months and whether they are in receipt of any relevant benefits. This information will help HMRC decide whether the parent (and their child) are eligible for 30 hours. At the start of the application process, parents will create a Government Gateway account if they don’t already have one. If parents encounter any problems with the application process or accessing the childcare account, they should direct their queries to the childcare service Customer Interaction Centre on 0300 123 4097.
At the end of the application process, parents will have a childcare service account. In the “secure messages” section of their account, parents will receive messages regarding their eligibility. If parents are eligible for 30 hours, they will be given an 11 digit ‘eligibility code’ for their child. They will be asked to take this code (along with their National Insurance number and child’s date of birth) to their provider to claim their 30 hours place.
Parents can find their eligibility code in the ’30 hours free childcare’ section of their childcare service account and in their secure messages.
Parents will be prompted every three months to reconfirm the details they entered on their application are still accurate. This is to check that they are still eligible. They will be prompted, via text message and/or email, four weeks before their reconfirmation deadline and again two weeks before the deadline if they still haven’t reconfirmed. If their circumstances have changed, they will log into their childcare service account, amend their details and then resubmit their details. If their circumstances have not changed, they only need to reconfirm their details.
If parents miss the reconfirmation deadline, they will receive a message telling them that their eligibility has lapsed. Although they are no longer eligible, they may be able to retain their childcare place for a short period; this is known as a grace period. Parents are directed to speak to their childcare provider about this.
You do not need to apply via the digital service if you only want the universal 15 hours entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds.
Information
30 Hours Free Childcare May Update
Nursery information letter
Durham Parent Carer Declaration Form 17-18
Contact Us
Please contact cockfield@durhamlearning.net if you have any questions about nursery places. You may also phone the school office on 01388 718263.
Nursery Admissions Application Forms (NA1 form) are available from the school office.
School Admissions
Full details for the admission arrangements can be found in the Primary and Secondary Admissions brochure produced by Durham County Council. Visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and primary school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit: School admissions-appeals. If you would like any further information about applying for a place in our School or Nursery please contact us to arrange a visit or call in at the school office.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents to discuss the identified needs with the school prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure any the school can meet any needs appropriately.
Admitting Pupils with Disabilities
We do not discriminate against or disadvantage disabled children. As we do have limited access to the school building for disabled pupils, specific arrangements to cater for the pupil’s needs would need to be put in place as soon as possible, we would not delay admitting the pupil in order to make these arrangements.
Admission Arrangements
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEN
Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (or Statement of Special Education Needs) follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to 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 assessment or following the review meeting. View or download our SEND and Inclusion Policy, Equality and Anti-bullying Policy located in our School Policies section.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.