Get back to school ready for the new term in Caterham Valley

With schools returning across Tandridge from Wednesday September 1, it’s time to get “back to school” ready and Caterham Valley is fully stocked with shops to help ensure the kids go back in top shape.

A national institution, a trip to Clarks Shoes in time for the new school term is something of a tradition for many families. As always, they have a wide range of school shoe styles for boys and girls at the Church Walk Shopping Centre branch in Caterham Valley. It is recommended that you book a kids in-store fitting to avoid the queues.

You can also pick up sports shoes and trainers at Sports Direct, while Boots or Vitaltone can make sure you’re fully stocked in hair bands (and hand sanitiser and wipes, depending on your school’s rules).

Also in Church Walk Shopping Centre, you’ll find the ever reliable WHSmith and Lorimers for stationary and arts and crafts needs.

It’s only a short walk round the corner into Godstone Road for the excellent Crafts Stationers too. This unique Caterham Valley family business has been dealing in premium stationery, artistic materials, craft supplies and much more for over 100 years and they’re still going strong.

If eye tests or new glasses are required, we have Specsavers in Church Walk and Rawlings Opticians out on Croydon Road.

After a summer of rough and tumble and exploring, back to school means it’s also time to take back control of kids’ hair.

We’re spoilt for choice in Caterham Valley, with hairdressers like Time Hair & Beauty, Touché Hairdressing, Jones the Hairdresser, Starkuts and Dtail Salon and barbers like Ben’s, Edi’s, Hope’s and AR for the young gentlemen.

And, finally, how about those little treats to incentivise and reward the kids for all their hard work?

If you haven’t visited Caterham Sweet and Savoury Waffles yet, you really must! Or how about some pick ‘n’ mix from Pedrick’s Zero Waste Shop? A few sweet treats from Coughlans Bakery and an after school picnic at Timber Hill Recreation Ground is a great way to relax outside the classroom too.

On Croydon Road, we must have one of the unique groups of family attractions in Surrey, with the Beach soft play, Caterham Dance School and Croydon Gymnastics Club all within walking distance – and also perfect for kids who are looking to express themselves outside of homework and academic learning.

Best of luck to all the Caterham kids returning to school in the coming weeks – and well done to all you parents for surviving another summer holiday!

New rules for schools in England

• The system of “bubbles” – where children only mix within a fixed year or class group – has ended, as has the need to stagger start and finish-times, or avoid mixing at lunch or in the playground.
• Face coverings are no longer advised for staff or pupils in school, although they’re still recommended in crowded spaces such as on school buses.
• Any pupil under 18 who tests positive for Covid will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and told to isolate. The child – or their parents – will be asked to provide information about close contacts at school and elsewhere, and their contact details, if known.
• Under-18s who are named as close contacts will be asked to take a PCR test, but will not have to self-isolate unless they themselves test positive.
• Secondary school pupils and staff are being asked to continue self-testing twice a week, beginning a week before the start of term. This advice will be reviewed at the end of September.

Schools in and around Caterham, Surrey

Audley Primary School
Audley Primary School is a one-form entry school in Caterham. Their school motto, ‘A Journey to Excellence’, is at the heart of everything they do in school and together with parents, carers, governors and the local community
Whyteleafe Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 5ED
www.audleyprimary.uk

Caterham School
Caterham School, a leading independent, co-educational day and boarding school, Surrey, England.
Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YA
www.caterhamschool.co.uk

Caterham Prep School
Caterham Prep School is nestled at the far end of the Caterham School campus, surrounded by its own woodland.
Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YA
www.caterhamprep.co.uk

Clifton Hill School
Clifton Hill School is a special school for children and young people aged 11 to 19 with severe and profound multiple learning difficulties.
Chaldon Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5PN
clifton-hill.surrey.sch.uk

De Stafford School
De Stafford School is a mixed secondary school educating students from ages 11 to 16. De Stafford Sports Centre is also based on site.
Burntwood Lane, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5YX
www.destafford.org.uk

Essendene Lodge School
Essendene Lodge is an independent co-educational Preparatory and Nursery School providing a high-quality education for 3 to 11 year olds within a friendly, family environment with wraparound care from 8am to 6pm.
Essendene Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5PB
www.essendenelodge.co.uk

Hillcroft Primary School
Hillcroft is a Primary school for children aged 4 to 11 years of age with a nursery catering for children from 3 years of age. It is an academy within GLF schools.
Chaldon Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5PG
www.hillcroftschool.org

Marden Lodge Primary School
Marden Lodge is a one form entry primary school with its own nursery which provides for the education of children from two to eleven years. The school is situated on the outskirts of Caterham on a large site.
Croydon Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6QH
www.mardenlodge.org

Oakhyrst Grange School
Oakhyrst Grange is a small, co-educational independent preparatory school that aims to provide a friendly, caring and supportive environment.
Stanstead Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6AF
www.oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk

Saint Francis Roman Catholic Primary School
Saint Francis Roman Catholic Primary School is in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton and serves the Catholic community of the Tandridge parishes of Caterham, Warlingham and Oxted.
Whyteleafe Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5ED
www.stfrancis.surrey.sch.uk

St John’s C of E Primary School
As a church school, the leadership, its teaching and the experiences St John’s offers are underpinned and rooted in the Christian values of faith, love, respect and thankfulness.
Markfield Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6RN
www.stjohns-primary.surrey.sch.uk

Sunnydown School
Sunnydown School is a residential special secondary school educating students aged 11 to 16. They educate young men in KS3 and KS4 who have a statement of SEN or an EHC Plan, which identifies communication and interaction needs as a primary need.
152 Whyteleafe Rd, Caterham CR3 5ED
www.sunnydown.surrey.sch.uk

Woldingham School
Set in 700 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside near Caterham Valley, Woldingham is one of the UK’s leading day and boarding schools for girls aged 11 to 18.
Marden Park, Woldingham, Caterham CR3 7YA
www.woldinghamschool.co.uk