Transition

At St Michael’s CE Primary School, we recognise that transition is an important part of every child’s educational journey. Our aim is to ensure that every child feels known, safe, valued and ready for the next stage of their learning.

Transition is not seen as a single event. We plan carefully before a child moves to a new class or setting and continue to support them until they feel settled, confident and able to engage fully in learning.

Our approach

Our transition arrangements are built around five key principles:

• Belonging – every child should feel welcomed, known and included.
• Relationships – positive relationships with children and families are established before transition wherever possible.
• Continuity – learning, routines and successful support strategies continue across transition points.
• Inclusion – transition is adapted according to the individual needs of each child.
• Partnership – children, families, staff, receiving settings and other professionals work together to support successful transition.

Supporting every child

All pupils receive a core transition offer, including opportunities to meet new adults, become familiar with new environments, take part in transition activities and share any questions or worries they may have.

Some children benefit from additional or highly personalised transition support. This may include extra visits, small-group or individual sessions, photographs or social stories, a trusted adult, additional parent meetings or personalised transition plans.

We adapt transition particularly carefully for children with SEND, medical needs, social or emotional needs, safeguarding or pastoral needs, children joining us during the year and those experiencing significant change.

Key transition points

We carefully support children through each stage of their journey, including:

• starting Nursery;
• starting Reception;
• moving from Reception into Year 1;
• moving between year groups;
• joining St Michael’s during the school year;
• returning following a prolonged absence or suspension;
• moving into or out of The Nest;
• preparing for and moving on to secondary school.

For pupils moving to secondary education, preparation begins progressively through Key Stage 2, with Year 6 transition tailored increasingly to each child’s receiving school and individual needs.

Working with families

Parents and carers are important partners in transition. Depending on the transition point, families may be supported through home visits, induction meetings, parent information, Meet the Teacher opportunities, individual planning meetings and ongoing communication while children settle.

Our Transition Curriculum and Framework

Our full Transition Curriculum and Framework: Helping Every Child Achieve, Belong and Thrive explains our whole-school approach in greater detail, including our graduated approach to transition, professional handover, inclusion, secondary transition and how we evaluate impact.