HIGHFIELD
COMMUNITY
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Transition
Policy and Procedures
Written – Summer 2015
Reviewed - Summer 2016
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‘Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.’
Johann Wolfgang
Introduction
This transition policy is intended to outline the procedures that we have in place here at Highfield to support all our
learners and their families with the changes that take place as children join us, progress through and prepare to
leave the school. The list is not exhaustive and many children will receive individual support to adapt to new
routines or build new relationships, and this work will take place on a case by case basis in consultation with the
child’s parents or carers.
Children will experience many different transition points these include:
Beginning Nursery
Moving into full time school time
Moving from Early Years in to Key Stage One
Moving from Key Stage One to Key Stage Two
Moving up a class
Moving on to another school out of area
Moving up in to Secondary Education
Each of these transitions is a unique phase which has its own challenges and expectations.
Aims
At Highfield, we will:
Encourage all parents to be partners in their child’s education.
Assist parents in helping their child prepare for school and for the transition to each new year group.
Make a happy and seamless transition from home and/or pre-school to school and from year group to year group.
Support all children towards independence and develop their confidence and ability to cope with change.
Give pupils a clear understanding of the new expectations ahead of them.
Ensure that any relevant information from outside agencies is acknowledged and acted upon, particularly in
regard to children with Special Educational Needs or English as an Additional Language.
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Beginning Nursery:
Mrs Wall holds responsibility for this phase of the transition.
Any request for a place at Highfield Nursery is managed by the Nursery staff and administration team. A start date
is established based on the child’s age and a home visit is arranged prior to this start date.
The purpose of the home visit is to be able to meet the child in a familiar and safe environment in order to observe
their interests and abilities. Meeting at the child’s home also gives the parents a chance to discuss any personal
information they may wish to pass on and also allows the staff the chance to establish a positive relationship with
the family before the child begins school.
Following on from the home visit, Highfield Nursery will send out invitations to ‘stay and play’. Again, this helps
to reduce any anxiety and helps the child familiarise themself with the resources, layout and routines of the
Nursery.
Information packs and the school Nursery webpage are also given to parents to access for additional information.
Moving from Nursery to full time school (Reception):
Mrs Tynegate holds responsibility for this phase of the transition.
As Highfield School operates with an Early Years unit, Nursery and Reception Classes share many resources,
learning spaces and curriculum themes. This unity allows all children to build up familiarity with routines and to
experience working with adults other than their key worker/class teacher.
The preparation for full time school is a constant focus for the Early Years staff. School trips, Inspire Days (Family
Learning days), data sharing and staff training all take place consistently throughout the school year to allow
adjustments in the teaching and learning of each phase to happen with the end goal of settling children in to
Reception class quickly and positively.
Specific activities and events include:
New Parents Meeting explaining all about life in Reception class
Information booklets for parents ‘Starting School’
Signposting to the school website
Transition days in the summer term
Staggered intake for the first two weeks of the new term
Visits to other early years’ settings where children are currently
Reception to Year One
Miss Martin holds responsibility for this phase of the transition.
The leap in to Key Stage One can sometimes cause some anxiety for parents and children, as this is often the first
time that significant changes in the curriculum have been experienced since starting school. With this in mind, Year
One and Reception class regularly join together at different points throughout the school year.
Activities and events include:
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Class/Pupil observations by both teachers and data sharing/moderation of work
Joint trips and learning events
Welcome to Year One Parents’ Meeting
Teaching Assistants may sometimes move up with children who need additional support and continuity
It is also important to acknowledge the change in both learning environments throughout the year to reflect the
maturity and needs of the children.
Key Stage One to Key Stage Two
As a single form entry school, we are fortunate in that the move in to a new Key Stage is physically the same as a
move to a new classroom, as children progress from Class Two to Class Three. The curriculum expectations are
well known to both class teachers and termly moderation across the school allows for agreed standardisation of
pupil’s work. Three transition sessions are arranged during the summer term to allow children to get used to the
new routines and expectations.
Parents’ consultation meetings in the summer term include both the existing and the receiving class teacher in order
that clear messages and targets are shared between the family and each of the two teachers.
Vertical grouping for special calendar events and themed weeks also help pupils to experience working outside of
their own classroom and alongside other members of staff from another Key Stage.
Moving from Year Group to Year Group
We firmly see Highfield as a learning community and believe that learning from one another is very important.
Opportunities exist right throughout the school year for children to work with one another regardless of their age,
ability or phase of learning. These opportunities also involve working with staff from all key stages, too.
Activities supporting transition include:
Vertical grouping for themed events
Buddying up with classes on a weekly basis
School trips and outdoor learning in teams
Summer Parent Consultation Meetings with the existing and receiving class teacher
Family Learning events for Maths, English and E-safety that signpost parents to the different stages and
expectations in their child’s learning.
Cross phase moderation and data sharing
Class leaflets each term setting out learning expectations and ways to help your child
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