Junior Department Life
Junior Department - Reception to Year 6
The Cobham Free School (CFS) junior department (Reception to Year 6) opened as a one form entry primary school in September 2012 following a successful bid in wave 2 of the government's Free School Programme. Opening in a small Gospel Hall, with just three infant classes, it has now has cohorts up to Year 6. The junior school moved to the Old Police Station site on Portsmouth Road, Cobham in November 2013; the building was re-designed and refurbished to provide excellent educational facilities. The expansion to become a two form entry school in September 2021 has resulted in a further move to the smart, new Main School site, where the upper juniors have their own wing and have access to the specialist facilities. The lower school (Reception to Year 2) has remained in the lovely, nurturing environment provided by the Old Police Station.
The department is led by Mrs Hodgetts and Mrs Grenander. The staff teaching team are experienced and highly qualified practitioners. Pupils from reception upwards have specialist lessons in Music and PE.
Since opening, the school has achieved success in national assessments. This includes achieving 100% in the phonics check twice and being in the top 10% nationally for progress in 2016 for Reading and Mathematics. In 2019 100% of KS2 pupils reached the expected level in both Reading and SPAG. 83% of these pupils reached the expected level in Reading, Writing and Mathematics against the National Average of 65%.
The junior department has proved very popular with parents and is oversubscribed for every year group. In June 2023 the school maintained a Good rating in its third OFSTED inspection and we were delighted with the very positive report from the inspectors.
Mrs Hodgetts
Mrs Grenander
Message from Mrs Hodgetts and Mrs Grenander - Lower and Upper Junior Heads
We wish you a warm welcome to Cobham Free School (CFS) junior department, where we have the highest expectations, the highest aspirations and a strong, supportive community where everyone is welcome.
Our Lower and Upper Junior departments are a place of curiosity, exploration, and growth. From Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2(KS2), we are dedicated to providing an enriching educational experience that nurtures young minds and lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Our curriculum is carefully designed to stimulate young minds and encourage critical thinking. We aim to go beyond the classroom and motivate our children to be active, not only physically but mentally, developing into well rounded individuals leaving CFS junior department with a thirst for knowledge, a respect for all and a desire to achieve the best they can.
As parents and guardians, your partnership is invaluable. We encourage open communication and collaboration to ensure that every child receives the best possible support on their journey through the Junior School.
We invite you to explore our website and discover the essence of Cobham Free School. Whether you're a current member of our community or a prospective family, we are confident that you will sense the enthusiasm and dedication that make our school a special place for our young learners.
Department Organisation
Lower Juniors, based at the Old Police Station:
Age 4+ Reception: Early Years Foundation Stage
Age 5+ Year 1: Key Stage 1
Age 6+ Year 2: Key Stage 1
Upper Juniors, based at the Main School:
Age 7+ Year 3 : Key Stage 2
Age 8+ Year 4: Key Stage 2
Age 9+ Year 5: Key Stage 2
Age 10+ Year 6: Key Stage 2
Junior Day
The formal school day runs from 8:30 to 15:30 in the lower juniors (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) and from 8:30 to 15:45 in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6). The school doors at each site open at 8:30 for those not attending Breakfast Club and children make their way to their classrooms having been greeted at the door by a senior member of staff. Pupils are dismissed by their teacher in the playground at the end of the school day, before being released to parents.
