It’s always daunting to start a new school (even as an adult!) but when you are only six or seven, the thought of leaving the familiarity of the Infants and joining the Juniors is a big deal. As one of only two
Junior schools in Sefton, transition is very important at Forefield, as every year we wave goodbye to 90 pupils and say ‘hello’ to another 90 new-starters. Definitely a time for mixed emotions! Fortunately, we have a great relationship and many links with both Forefield Infants and the various high schools that receive our Year 6 children.
May, June and July are key months for transition and over the years we have developed several projects that help to ease the move from one school to another.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter the most: where will I hang my coat? Where are the toilets? Which door will I use? Where will I eat?
To alleviate these worries we have lots of strategies.
Y2/4 Buddies
By far the most important is the ‘buddy’ system that we set up between Year 4 and Year 2. This involves the careful selection of an appropriate older buddy, who will carefully guide their new friend around the building, months before they are due to start! In a series of visits, junior buddies will get to know the prospective Year 3s and then invite them over to our school to show them around. A hunt for aliens, map skills and lots of excitement then follow as the children complete tasks around the school, subtly getting used to new rooms and corridors along the way.
Playtime at the Juniors
The Y2 pupils have access to our playground in the last few weeks of term so they can get a ‘feel’ for junior life.
Enhanced Transition for SEND Pupils
Staff begin the important process of sharing key information. Headteachers, SEN(D)Cos and Learning Mentors meet regularly to identify any pupils who would benefit from enhanced transition and extra visits and meetings with parents are arranged. Smaller group visits at quieter times allow those pupils to become more familiar with the layout of the school and meet staff informally.
Mrs Barton (SENDCO) will contact parents of all children with SEND to ensure that transition meets the needs of all pupils.
Special Assembly with Mr Swift
As headteacher, I look forward to leading a Y2 assembly to share photographs and stories of FJS and I’m always amazed by how much they already know. It’s fantastic to hear children, who haven’t even started your school, recite your Mission Statement with confidence!
Transition Days at the Juniors
By the time we get to the official ‘Transition Days’ at the end of June, the vast majority of pupils have already started to feel a sense of belonging, but it’s great to be able to spend time in their new classrooms with their new teachers. This year, we are utilizing the two days that our Y6 pupils will be visiting their new high schools to enable every child to spend quality time in their new classes.
Meeting for Parents of Y2 Children
Following all of these experiences, parents are invited into school to meet staff and then (by far the most enjoyable part of the evening) they have a guided tour with a Year 6 pupil – where they really get to see everything! Armed with the school prospectus and directed to further information on the website, they then have to navigate the emotional roller-coaster of attending their child’s Leavers’ Assembly before handing them over in September for the next phase of their school career.
