Transition

We aim to provide new entrants and existing pupils with a sensitive and smooth transition between Early Years settings and Key Stages 1 and 2.  

We hold three transition sessions across the whole school in the Summer Term.

Activities include:

  • Making maps of classrooms/school site, lists of children in class, equipment lists, writing about likes and dislikes and sharing with new teacher. 
  • Spending the morning or afternoon in new classroom.
  • Parents invited to one session providing an opportunity to see the classroom location and environment and to informally meet the teacher and support staff for the year group

Transition into Nursery

Making links between the pre-school establishments and nursery is vital for the well being and smooth transition of the child. Therefore:

  • Nursery staff will have opportunities to visit pre- school settings to observe and discuss relevant children.
  • Practitioners in pre-schools will be invited to visit Holy Trinity to familiarise themselves with the nursery environment as well as to discuss children.
  • Records of Transfer/My Unique Story will be passed on from pre-schools to enable all staff to form a clearer picture of a child’s needs.

Nursery into Reception

  • Nursery staff ensure that children are familiar with the school building and grounds, especially the school hall and playground
  • Nursery children have opportunities to visit their new classroom and meet their new teacher during the term before they start in Reception
  • Reception teachers visit the Nursery where possible.
  • Reception and Nursery teachers liaise closely with each other on all aspects of the admissions procedure and relevant information including a copy of My Unique Story which is shared with parents and then passed from the Nursery to the receiving teachers.
  • When appropriate Nursery children participate in whole school events and will be introduced to formal worship in the Reception class.

Key Stage 1

Transition from Reception into Key Stage 1

  • Reception staff ensure that children are familiar with the school building and grounds, especially the school hall and playground
  • Reception children have opportunities to visit their new classroom and meet their new teacher during the term before they start in Reception
  • Year 1 teachers visit Reception classes where possible.
  • Year 1 and Reception teachers liaise closely with each other during transition
  • The Learning Journey is linked to transition sessions and is shared with the Year1 teacher.
  • The EYFS profile is shared with the Year 1 teacher to inform planning for next steps.
  • Year 1 teachers also include child initiated sessions during Term 1 & 2 as well as more formal Literacy and Numeracy lessons to ease the transition between Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.
  • Whole School Worship once a week provides an opportunity for children to celebrate across the Key Stages. Important club notices and whole school information enables the children to observe activities across the school.
  • Children have the opportunity to watch drama performances across the Key Stages throughout the year including class assemblies, Christmas and End of Year productions.

Key Stage 2

Transition from Key Stage 1 into Key Stage 2

  • Opportunities throughout the year to ensure that Year 2 children are confident with the layout of the whole school building including Key Stage 2 classrooms.
  • Year 2 pupils have opportunities to visit their new classroom and meet their new teacher during the term before they start their new class.
  • Year 2 and Year 3 staff liaise closely with each other on all aspects of the transition procedure and relevant information is passed from Year 2 teachers to the receiving Year 3 teachers.
  • Children have the opportunity to watch drama performances across the key stages throughout the year including class assemblies, Christmas and End of Year productions.
  • Whole School Worship provides an opportunity for children to celebrate across the Key Stages. Important club notices and whole school information enables the children to observe activities across the school.

Transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3

  • Autumn Term last year’s Year 6 return for social evening with current Year 6 and pupils and staff.
  • Teachers from surrounding schools invited to meet the children in their own setting
  • Year 6 teachers meet with Year 7 teachers  and pass on PSHE information and assessment levels
  • Year 6 children visit new school for 1 day.
  • Year 6 pupils take part in individual schools transition procedures.
  • Year 6 pupils all tested in PE for Gifted and Talented. Scores passed to heads of PE in secondary schools. High scorers invited to a Sports academy.

Links to Secondary Schools Admissions Information:

If you need any help completing an admissions form please contact our Family Liaison Officer who will be happy to help.

Get in Touch

Holy Trinity C. of E. Primary School
Trinity Road, Gravesend, Kent,
DA12 1LU

01474 534746