*We are a growing school - we currently have a limited number of places from Reception through to Year 6*
Choosing the right school for your child and family
Choosing the right school for your child is so important and we know it can often feel like quite an overwhelming decision to make. At Bisley we don't try and sell you the school or tell you why you should come here; we just like to show you what we can offer to see if we are the right match for you. We are very lucky to have so many wonderful schools around us in Surrey Heath and Woking for parents to choose from.
Below you will find further information about our school including videos and FAQs.
We have our own Facebook Page which will help give you a flavour of us as a school and a glimpse of what we get up to! @BisleyCofEPrimary
Enjoy learning a bit more about us!
Mrs McConnell, Headteacher
Applying for a place
How do we apply for a Reception place?
If you are looking for a place for September 2023 you currently need to contact admissions directly.
Online applications for September 2024 start will be on the admissions website here Apply for a place at a primary, infant or junior school - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk) in November 2023.
To request a paper copy please phone 0300 200 1004
How do I apply for an year place?
As we are a growing school we have a number of places currently available in Reception - 6
As we are a Voluntary Aided C of E school we can do our own admissions for children starting in Year 1 - Year 6.
This means that you do not have to go through Surrey County Council and you can come straight to us.
Please contact Mrs Fisher admin@bisley.surrey.sch.uk who will be more than happy to help you.
My child is summer born, can they start school the following year?
Parents of summer born children often worry that their child will be 'behind' as they are the youngest in the year. This is very often not the case and we actually find that often the summer born children make the most progress. Please rest assured that we do keep a special eye on our summer born children.
If you are thinking of delaying your child's start to Reception please ensure that you have spoken to us first. Currently parents do not need to have approval from schools to delay the start but they do need approval to still start in Reception and not be placed straight in Year 1. Please note if you do delay your child's start we are unable to hold a place for you for the following year.
The DfE have produced this document which may help to give you further advice. Guidance for parents of summer born children thinking of delaying application
Frequently asked questions
What time do children start and finish school?
Drop off between 8.35am and 8.55am and collection is at 3.05pm for Reception
How many Reception classes does Bisley have?
We have two classes, Squirrels and Hedgehogs. Each Reception class has a teacher and a support member of staff. Although the children are based in one class they can move between both and they share an outside area too.
What are the school uniform requirements?
Please have a click here for the full details. We try hard to make the uniform as family friendly as possible. For example children can wear school shoes or fully black trainers, school trousers, shorts, dresses, leggings or jogging bottoms. We do not require children to wear crested uniform and usually suggest that if you do want to buy the crested items you purchase one of each, especially for photo day! We do have a second hand rail and non crested items are £1 and crested items are £2..
How does lunchtime work?
Children can choose to bring a packed lunch from home or have a meal from our school kitchen. Currently Reception to Year 2 all receive free school meals and so we suggest that you take this option up, however the choice is yours. If your child is having a school meal you make your selection on the day. The menu is sent home and advertised on our Facebook page in advance. The children have three choices of meals (main/vegetarian/jacket potato or pasta) When the register is taken the children state what they would like.
The children eat in the hall altogether as a year group. Reception staff supervise them so that they have a familiar adult with them at all times. Children ask to move onto their pudding which means we can monitor how much the children are eating. If a child hasn't eaten very much or we can see a pattern forming their teacher will contact you.
Do you cater for children with allergies or dietary requirements?
On the admission form there is a space for you to indicate that your child has a particular dietary requirement. The office will then send you a more comprehensive form to fill out. Once we have your child's details a photo of your child and their specific requirements is put up in the kitchen for the kitchen staff to see. The kitchen can cater for all allergies and dietary requirements. If you have a specific concern or query surrounding this please contact Mrs Fisher at any point and she will happily talk you through the process and answer any questions. admin@bisley.surrey.sch.uk
My child has a medical need. Can you accommodate them?
We will ask you to fill out a medical form so that we can gain a better understanding of your child's needs. We then ensure that staff working with your child understand what your child needs. For more complex health needs we will work with you to draw up a full medical health plan. If you have a specific concern or query surrounding this please contact Miss Cook at any point and she will happily talk you through the process and answer any questions. a.cook@bisley.surrey.sch.uk
Do you offer Forest School?
We are very lucky to have four members of staff who are trained to deliver Forest School. All children in Reception have the opportunity to do Forest School for one morning a week for a whole half term. You are informed the day and which half term to ensure your child has the correct clothes with them. Forest School takes place on our school site. As the children move through the school there are plenty of opportunities for the children to continue to enjoy Forest School.
Are music lessons offered?
All children take part in whole class music as part of our curriculum offer. We do have peripatetic teachers who come into school to teach during the day. Currently we have piano, guitar, drums and woodwind as well as Rocksteady. If there is something that your child would like to learn we will endeavour to find a teacher to deliver this in school. These individual lessons are paid for by the parent directly to the music teacher.
Who is the Headteacher?
Mrs McConnell has been Headteacher of our school since September 2016. She lives in Bisley herself and you may even see her out and about at weekends! Mrs McConnell's two children also attend Bisley School and are currently in Year 2 and Year 5. Living and working within the same community helps Mrs McConnell to lead the school with passion and authenticity.
How many times a year would we get formal feedback regarding our child?
Our usual pattern is to have a formal parent's evening in Autumn and Spring and a written annual report in the Summer with the option to have a meeting after the report has been issued.
As a school we are very open and would always encourage you to raise any concerns or queries that you may have in relation to your child ASAP. You can contact teachers via their email and request phone appointments via the office at any point in the year.
Do you have staff who can support the children with anxiety or other worries?
At Bisley we have a fantastic Pastoral Team. They support children in school but also take time to support you as a whole family. There are many ways they offer support including working with your child, offering parents advice and signposting, supporting with a food parcel, just lending a listening ear and so much more. Please email support@bisley.surrey.sch.uk if you would like to chat.
What wrap around care do you offer?
Face to face tour of the school
We love meeting prospective families, explaining more about our school and answering questions; however big or small.
Our official tours for a September 2023 application have now finished. However, we can book you in for your own tour. Please email a.cook@bisley.surrey.sch.uk to book a tour.
We have now released our Early Bird Tours for parents of children starting in September 2024 and dates can be seen below.
Videos and tours/information
Welcome to our school - a child's view of Bisley
A virtual tour of our Reception classrooms
Click here to see what our children thought about their time in Reception at Bisley
Click here to see a video we created at the end of Summer 2020. It gives a great feel for our school and the opportunity to see the staff and pupils
Click here for a virtual tour of Bisley Base who offer wrap around care for all children from Reception to Year 6
Helpful links to our website pages
Click here for our Bisley Basics page which gives parents, carers and pupils a quick guide to Bisley School and our procedures; including uniform and the school day.
School contacts
- Admissions: For questions relating to the admissions process please contact our Admissions Officer, Mrs Fisher admin@bisley.surrey.sch.uk
- Additional Needs: If you think your child may require additional support (academic or medical) please contact Mrs Charman, our SENCO who will discuss your individual needs with you. senco@bisley.surrey,sch.uk
- Pastoral Support: If you feel your child may require pastoral support please feel free to contact Mrs Miles who heads up our Inclusion & Pastoral Team deputyhead@bisley.surrey.sch.uk
- Early Years Curriculum: For questions relating to the specific teaching and set up in our Reception classes please contact our Early Years lead, Miss Hare misshare@bisley.surrey.sch.uk
- General Questions: Mrs McConnell, our Headteacher is always happy for prospective parents to email with questions and she will personally reply to you. head@bisley.surrey.sch.uk