Coxhoe Primary School

Transition Information Page

Change is a normal part of life and can provide opportunities for children to develop their resilience. Whether a child is starting primary school, changing schools, or moving from infants to juniors or primary to secondary school, this transition period needs to be carefully managed. If a child struggles with a transition it can have a negative impact on their wellbeing and academic achievement.

(Anna Freud - National Centre for Children and Families)

At Coxhoe Primary we understand the importance of managing transition points carefully for each of our children. Some of our children cope extremely well with change and for others it is a huge struggle. We are constantly reviewing our practice and we welcome further suggestions of how we can further develop our transition programme. Below is an outline of the types of things we offer at different times of the year. This has been adapted over the last two years to reflect the current government guidelines. We hope you find this page helpful. 

Transition changes for Summer 2021

Transition is important for all children, whether moving from nursery to school, from primary to secondary or from year to year in primary. These steps can be exciting and offer new opportunities, but it is vital that all children are supported as they make these steps to ensure that any worries or anxieties are addressed and kept to a minimum. This is something that we have been developing over the last 3 years, enhancing the activities in place to support transition. This has included more time with new classes/teachers, more time in their new classrooms/settings, additional specialised holiday sessions for children who require extra support, personalised transition for all children with SEND or for those who may be more vulnerable throughout this process. We have worked with other schools and agencies to improve moves both to and from our school too. To further enhance this, we are delighted to share a new and exciting plan for 2021. During the whole week of July 12th to 16th, children will spend the week with their new teachers. This will include whole school themed activities as well as lots of activities to get to know each other. COVID19 restrictions permitting, we would also like to try using allocated doors/gates/times for lunch and play etc. The children will then return to their class for the last two days, 19th and 20th of July. This enhanced transition provision, will allow children to move into the holiday without the ‘whatif’ worries about a new class/teacher/room/toilets….

The provision introduced in 2019/2020 for pupils with SEND will continue with a transition passport and additional short and less formal activities. Staff know their children well and some other children may have a few less formal activities that will help them throughout the transition period. If you feel that your child is worried about transition, please let their teacher know. We will be conducting a short survey in September to reflect on any future development and your feedback will be greatly appreciated. 

UPDATE  JUNE 2021

PLEASE NOTE - WE HAVE NOW HAD TO ADAPT THIS PLAN IN RESPONSE TO THE CHANGE IN DATE FOR EASING OF RESTRICTIONS.

As a staff, we had reviewed the transition process for all of our children and had a super new programme planned for last summer which had to be hugely adapted. Yet again, the change in restrictions may mean that the new programme will be again postponed until Summer 2022.  However,  as a school with family at the heart of our practice, we have a creative back up plan to include several socially distanced/virtual activities that we will implement if required.  It is vital that our children have support through the transition process to support their mental well-being.

• ALL classes will watch videos made by their new class teachers introducing themselves. These will also be uploaded to the website so that children can share them with their families at home and perhaps watch them in the summer holidays again too
• ALL children will receive a pack of activities to complete from their new class teacher  - they will be completed in their current class during the week beginning 12th July
• Monday 12th July - year group Zoom sessions within school
• Wednesday 14th July and Friday 16th July - socially distanced storytime in their new classes in our outdoor spaces
• SEND transition will continue as planned with small adaptations to ensure social distancing can be maintained. 

Meet Your New Teachers 2021

Resources to support with transition:

Click here to download an example timetable for KS2 and KS1

Return to school September 2020

See below social stories which can be adapted and shared with your child to prepare them for their return to school. Social stories are often used to simplify situations and give the facts for something which may seem unknown or worrying for a child. They can be used with any child of any age. Any text in RED is to be adapted for your child; this can be done using the example timetables link below for KS1 and KS2. We hope that you will find these helpful.

I'm Going Back to School - Word Document

I'm Going Back to School - PowerPoint

Meet your new teacher... 2020