Transition

Transition is a vital part of every child's educational journey, both at the beginning of the academic year and if joining the school partway through the year. We are committed to ensuring that every child feels welcomed, valued and that they have a strong sense of belonging from their very first day.

We recognise that positive relationships are at the heart of successful transitions and we place great importance on helping children build trusting connections with their peers and the adults who support them. For children who join us from another setting, we work closely with their previous school or early years provider to gather information about their strengths, interests and individual needs. This collaborative approach enables us to provide continuity of care and learning, ensuring that each child experiences a smooth, nurturing transition and is supported to settle confidently into our school community.

Our approach to transition is bespoke to the needs of each cohort and individual and the details below are not exhaustive. 

There are key transitions throughout school inlcuding the move from EYFS to Year 1 and Year 6 moving to secondary. For our children in EYFS significant time in the summer is protected to focus on relationships and preparation. This includes welcome meetings, time in the new classrooms, family picnics, home visits and stratergies such as 'spies in disguise!' where children go and spy (and report back) on their new classroom. 

Supporting our children in Year 6 to move to secondary school is done in collaboration and overseen by Chessbrook ESC. There is general support, taregeted group sessions in school and bespoke workshops in the new school as well as summer camps. https://www.chessbrook.herts.sch.uk/about-us/welcome

Our staff also attend information sharing events and complete detailed transition documents for each child. We also provide many opportunities to visit the local secondary school for wider curriculum opportunities (cooking, drama, dance, PE) throughout their time at Maple Cross so they are familiar with the building and environment. 

Whole Class Transition 

Every year we dedicate time for each teacher to meet their new class. This provides a special time to build relationships and learn more about what they will be learning in September. Our teachers also create 'All about Me' guides which we share with parents and children as well as the termly information letter about what is coming up. 

We also ensure our class teachers use time to be in their classes current classroom. This may include reading with them at the end of the day, spending time with them at break or lunchtime or joinng a lesson. 

Group focussed/additional transition

For groups of children who we identify as needing a little extra tansition, we create a bespoke set of activities to support the strengthening of relationships. This could including group reading, games and activities. It may also include additional phonecalls or meetings with parents.

Individual transition 

For children we know may find transition difficult, we provide additional opportunities for them to spend 1:1 time with their new class teacher. This often involves games such as snakes and ladders, uno, snap and top trumps. 

Transition handover

Staff have protected time to meet with their classes new class teacher to share vital information for each child. This includes information about accademic and pastoral progress. 

Joining mid-year

When a child joins us mid-year, we ensure there is a bespoke plan in place as the reason for joining mid-year varies for each child and family. We encourage in person-visits, time to meet the class teacher before starting and stratergies such as buddies, social stories with photos of key learning spaces or visits to their current setting to see them in an environment that is familiar to them.