At Newdale Primary School, we understand that transitions can sometimes feel overwhelming for some children and their families. We are committed to making transitions as smooth and positive as possible by providing tailored support, opportunities to build familiarity and close communication with parents/carers.
Nursery to Reception
- For children moving from Newdale Nursery to Reception, transition meetings take place between nursery key workers and the Reception team to ensure important information is shared and support is planned effectively.
- Children take part in transition visits and activities, giving them opportunities to spend time in their new classroom, meet staff and become familiar with their new environment.
- For children joining us from other nursery settings, the Reception team works closely with their current setting to gather relevant information and ensure any additional needs are identified and supported. Where appropriate, we also liaise with other professionals, including the Early Years SEND Team.
- The Reception team contacts all families whose children are joining us from an external nursery to discuss their child’s strengths, interests and any areas where additional support may be needed.
- Additional transition arrangements can be put in place for children who may need extra support, such as extra visits, transition booklets, photographs of staff and classrooms or meetings with key adults.
Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2
- Carefully planned transition days during the summer term to help pupils become familiar with their new classroom, teacher and daily routines.
- Transition booklets for each class, including photographs of new adults, classrooms and key routines.
- Additional visits and support from new class teachers for pupils who may require enhanced transition arrangements, helping to build positive relationships and familiarity before September.
- Information sharing between current and future class teachers to ensure any support strategies, individual needs and successful approaches continue seamlessly.
- A strong focus on relationships, connections and establishing routines during the first few weeks of the autumn term.
- Meet and greet opportunities for parents/carers with their child’s new class teacher.
Year 6 to Secondary School (Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3)
- Key information is shared with your child’s new secondary school to help ensure a smooth and successful transition.
- Most secondary schools in Telford offer at least two transition days during the summer term, giving pupils the opportunity to become familiar with their new environment.
- A member of staff from the secondary school will usually visit Newdale to meet pupils who are due to attend their school. This is often followed by discussions with Year 6 staff to share information and plan support.
- The SENDCO at Newdale will liaise with the secondary school’s SENDCO to discuss any additional needs, support arrangements and successful strategies already in place.
- Where appropriate, additional transition visits may be arranged to help pupils become familiar with key areas of the school, daily routines and key members of staff.
- Some pupils may receive transition booklets, visual supports or photographs of important staff and locations to help prepare them for the move to secondary school.
- For pupils with an EHCP, transition planning will form part of the Annual Review process during Year 6 to ensure appropriate support is in place for September.
- Parents and carers are encouraged to share any questions or concerns about transition so that we can work together to support their child.