Transitions

Starting School

Starting school is a significant milestone that can bring both excitement and anxiety for children and their families. Effective support during this period can ease the adjustment and set the stage for positive academic and social experiences.

Please visit the Nursery and Reception pages on the school website for strategies and tips for supporting your child starting school:

Nursery and Reception

Moving Years

Transitioning between year groups in school can be a challenging time for some children, involving new routines, teachers and expectations. Effective support helps children feel secure, confident and ready to engage positively with the new school year.

In school, we try to ensure that all children are supported during this time. This support may include:

• Children visit their new classrooms, playgrounds and other school areas that may be new to them. They meet their new teachers and key staff. This helps children feel more comfortable and less anxious.
• Encouraging children to talk about their feelings—both excitement and worries. We validate their emotions and reassure them that mixed feelings are normal.
• We discuss any changes in expectations, homework and new activities (e.g. PE). We can provide timetables or information about the school day that helps children understand what to expect and reduces uncertainty.
• We use social stories to help child visualise what the new class will be like - this help settle nerves.
• We create safe spaces for children to ask questions, such as worry boxes or dedicated discussion times in PSHE. This helps children express concerns anonymously and feel heard.
• We ensure rigorous handover of information between staff, including successful strategies for learning, regulation and crisis management.

We inform parents and carers of the new class arrangements, inlcuding staff, on the same day that children are informed. In September, there are dedicated parental meetings with staff to ensure open communication.

Leaving School

Transitioning from Key Stage 2 (KS2, primary school) to Key Stage 3 (KS3, secondary school) is a significant change for children, involving new environments, routines, academic expectations and social dynamics. Effective support during this period is crucial for both academic continuity and emotional wellbeing.

We work hard to ensure a smooth transition and to prepare children for starting a new stage in their educational journey. This support includes:

• Primary and secondary schools work closely together, sharing information about pupils’ academic progress, strengths and needs to ensure a seamless transition to KS3.
• We identify and provide additional support for pupils who may be particularly vulnerable during transition, such as those with special educational needs or those at risk of disengagement.
• Secondary specialists engage with Year 6 pupils through visits, workshops or teaching sessions to introduce KS3 content and expectations. Y6 pupils visit their secondary school for taster days.
• We look to support pupils’ emotional health with activities that build resilience, self-confidence and coping strategies for the challenges of transition.
• We talk openly to parents/carers during the transition process to ensure they can support their children at home and understand what to expect from secondary school.
• We run Y6 transition groups - Stepping Up: KS2 to KS3 Support Programme - for specific pupils who may need additional guidance during transition. 

 As a school, will liaise with the new school to ensure that they have all the relevant information, history, strategies and paperwork relating to the child.