Hatchlands
Primary School
Transitions
“You’re off to great places, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so get on your way”
Dr Seuss
Transition is when a pupil moves from one phase of education to another. For all students, moving class, Key Stage or School can be a challenging time. At Hatchlands, we understand the importance of promoting effective transitions throughout school life and we aim to support our children through all periods of transition in a variety of ways to ensure all changes are as smooth as possible.
Starting School - Reception
In order to make the transition to full-time school as smooth as possible the following are considered;
- A Welcome Meeting for all new Reception parents is held in the Summer term
- Reception Staff and Inclusion Leader attendance at 'Transition Tea' with local nurseries
- Handover meetings between nurseries and reception staff to share information about each child and to discuss areas for development highlighting children’s targets.
- Transition visits arranged to Nurseries for children who would benefit from additional support
- Additional transition meetings arranged with nurseries / parents / external agencies for children who would benefit from additional support
- School Welcome Pack, Admission form and any prior nursery records shared
- All children entering Reception are invited to a ‘Stay and Play’ session with their parents and carers in the Summer Term.
- Home visits are undertaken by the Reception Team prior to child starting,
- Pupils attend for half day sessions during their first week of school
- Teachers accompany children to the lunch hall and help forge relationships between the children and lunchtime supervisors
Reception to Key Stage One
- Increased attendance at Key Stage 1 assemblies, across the year from the Spring term
- Reception children have opportunities to use the main playground during their Reception year to help familiarise them with the environment.
- Transition meetings between Reception and Year 1 staff are held in the summer term. All assessment results are passed up.
- Phonics tracking is shared with Year 1 staff.
- Pupil Progress meetings are held at the end of Summer Term between Reception teacher, Headteacher and Inclusion Leader to ensure provision is adapted accordingly.
- All children visit new classes and work alongside new teachers on ‘Transition Morning’ in the Summer term.
- Year 1 teachers use the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to inform their teaching for some children
- Opportunities in the first half term for child-initiated learning, both inside and outside the classroom.
Other Year Group Transitions
- Achievement Team meetings held regularly between staff to discuss support and provision in place for children
- Pupil Progress meetings are held at the end of Summer Term between teachers, Headteacher and Inclusion Leader to ensure provision is adapted accordingly.
- All children visit new classes and work alongside new teachers on ‘Transition Morning’ in the Summer term.
- Additional transition support groups, led by Emotional Literacy Support Assistant for children who would benefit from additional support
- Social stories shared with children and families
Transition Social Stories 2024
- Transition to Year 1 - Hedgehogs.pdf
- Transition to Year 1 - Robins.pdf
- Transition to Year 2 - Kingfishers.pdf
- Transition to Year 2 - Squirrels.pdf
- Transition to Year 3 - Otters.pdf
- Transition to Year 3 - Skylarks.pdf
- Transition to Year 4 - Hares.pdf
- Transition to Year 4 - Woodpeckers.pdf
- Transition to Year 5 - Foxes.pdf
- Transition to Year 5 - Swans.pdf
- Transition to Year 6 - Owls.pdf
Key Stage Two to Secondary
- Opportunities arranged for visits to with local secondary schools
- Secondary school open days shared with families
- A Parent Information evening for all new Y6 parents held in the Autumn term
- Additional transition support groups, led by Emotional Literacy Support Assistant for children who would benefit from additional support
Moving Up! The transition to secondary school