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School Readiness and Transition

As a school and community we aim for all children to start each year of school life ready to learn, academically and emotionally. ‘School Readiness’ is a term used to describe this ideal state in which we, as parents and as a school, ensure we ‘maximize the development outcomes for children’ (UNICEF, 2012).

Starting School
For children and their families, starting school may seem a big step. At Great Wilbraham Primary School we work hard to ensure that this transition, and equally the transition to Secondary Education, is as smooth and stressfree as possible.

School life begins, for many of our children, in our Foundation Stage Unit known as Fieldmice Class. In this setting our Nursery aged children are introduced to school life, getting used to the routines, whilst engaging in a creative, play based curriculum. Each child has a Key Worker who is there to support their development and act as a first contact for families. Joining our Nursery cohort provides children with a seamless transition into their Reception year and full time education.

For those children joining us in the September of their Reception year we have developed strong links with our feeder nurseries, First Steps Nursery in particular.

Mrs Forshaw, our FSU Class Teacher and Early Years Lead Practitioner, visits these settings prior to your child starting with us and also offers home visits to meet your child in a familiar environment.

The 'New Parent's Meeting' is an excellent opportunity to meet staff, the PTFA, other agencies including our School Nurse and other parents. Information shared at this meeting provides parents with all they need to know for a successful start to school and the opportunity to ask any questions, however small.

School tours are welcomed and can be arranged through our school office.

In partnership with First Steps Nursery, we have created a statement of school readiness which outlines our joint expectations for children at different stages of transition. Our aim, of course, is to give your child the best possible start in life; supporting us in meeting these expectations will help your child to start school ready to learn.

For further information on expectations at different stages please click here.

Starting Secondary Education
Leaving the familiar learning environment of Primary School is another potentially daunting experience for children and their families. Transition work begins early with our work on the Young Minds 'Academic Resilience' Campaign, designed to support children in coping with the inevitable challenges of school life. Through whole class and small group Citizenship/PSHE sessions, children are guided through strategies and life skills that may prove useful through this transition period.

Teaching staff from the local Secondary Schools contact and visit the school, working closely alongside our own teachers to ensure a smooth transition for all of our children. We encourage our children to visit their new schools for Open Days and Transition Days throughout their last year with us.

Most of our children move onto Bottisham Village College with whom we do partnership work to aid transition.

Further support is available if you have any concerns over transition for your child.

Please contact the office for more details.