Effective transition at all stages is essential to ensure that children feel safe and welcome within the learning environment.
At Witton-le-Wear Primary School, we have systems in place to ensure transition is as smooth and seamless as possible for all pupils and their families. Please visit our Useful Links section where you will find the websites of our Secondary schools. If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
How we support children/young people with SEN starting at our school
Transition into our EYFS unit, either for Nursery or Reception, is planned in advance through consultation with parents. Sometimes shorter sessions are planned initially to enable the child (and the family) to gain confidence and become comfortable in our setting.
We offer Home Visits to all new starters and their families and will happily liaise and visit other providers and setting to ensure communication links are created and all relevant information is shared.
All Nursery children are offered ‘Stay & Play’ sessions before embarking on their allocated Nursery hours. All Reception children are invited to visit school for three induction afternoons to meet our EYFS Team and explore our provision.
From children joining our school from other primary settings, we encourage children and their families to visit our school to become familiar with staff and surroundings. Visits and discussions would be organised to ensure transition arrangements were smooth and needs would be met form the beginning.
How we support children/young people with SEN moving between classes in our school
All children are given the opportunity to take part in ‘Moving Up’ morning where they spend time with their new class teacher in their new classroom. During the summer term staff meet with the SENCO to share information and for those children who require provision that is additional to or different from quality first teaching. We make additional arrangements to support these children through the transition. This can include spending additional time in their new classroom, visiting their new classroom with their current member of support staff, beginning transition arrangements earlier in the Summer Term. The support provided is tailored to the needs of individual children and will be discussed with parents and carers and the child. As we are a small school, we pride ourselves on being part of ‘One Big Family’ where all staff know all pupils so transition between classes is seamless.
How we support children/young people with SEN leaving our school
Children with SEND are given an extensive level of support before they leave for their new school. We work closely with parents to help this be as smooth a transition as possible. When children are preparing to leave us for a new school, typically to go to Secondary education, we arrange additional visits. At our ‘feeder’ secondary schools run programmes specifically tailored to aid transition for the more vulnerable pupils. We liaise closely with Staff when receiving and transferring children to different schools ensuring all relevant paperwork is passed on and all needs are discussed and understood. If your child has complex needs and has an Education Health and Care Plan, then a review will be used as a transition meeting during which we will invite staff from both schools to attend and any other relevant professionals. Their teacher and SENCO will discuss with secondary colleagues how many transition visits can be arranged over and above those offered to children without SEND. These additional visits to the new school will be carried out with the child and Secondary School Staff in the summer term.
