Transition Information

New Starters Information

Starting primary school is an exciting time. It can also be a big change for children and families. For many children it will be the first occasion they spend time away from their family or in a more formal group setting.

For some children, starting primary school may increase anxiety around separation from their main caregiver. These feelings can also be exacerbated by a parent or carer who transfers their own feelings of anxiety onto their child. But this phase is usually temporary and can be successfully managed through staff, parents and carers working together.

If you have any general questions or concerns in relation to your child starting with us please email chapelford_admin@omegamat.co.uk. We will endeavour to get back to you or sign post you to appropriate support as quickly as we can.

Here at Chapelford Village Primary, we have started to make preparations for your child's transition to school.

New Starters

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EYFS Intake Meeting - Powerpoint

Updated: 08/06/2023 5.26 MB

The Road to School

Encourage your child to complete the activities on each sheet below. When they have finished each activity, ask them what they enjoyed. There is also a space for you to write some information about how your child completed the activities and whether they needed any support. This will help your child’s new teacher build a picture of what your child can do.

Transition activities

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Getting ready to start school challenge

Topsy + Tim - First Day at School

Spot Goes to School

Peppa Pig at School

Starting School by Janet Ahlberg + Allan Ahlberg

School Uniform

Please find a copy of our school uniform policy below. The school uniform page in the school office section of our website contains further details explaining how to order school uniform.

How to help young children learn at home

No one expects parents to act as teachers or childcare providers. Or to be able to provide all the activities that a nursery might.

While children gain a lot from nursery, things that parents do at home can help their development more.

You can help your child to learn through the little things you do with them, for example:

everyday conversations
make-believe play
games with numbers or letters
reading together
involving them in the things you are doing, such as household chores, and talking with them about it

Find ideas for new things you can try at Hungry Minds.

Hungry Little Minds

Starting Primary School Flyer

Updated: 13/05/2020 73 KB

Starting Primary School with BBC Bitesize

A free and useful resource for parents whose little ones are starting primary school. Search for BBC Starting Primary School or visit Starting Primary School.

You do not need to set separate time or plan complicated activities dedicated to learning. These activities can be incorporated into everyday life and play. You know your child best. Avoid forcing them into lengthy planned activities if they naturally respond better to a mix of shorter activities. This can stop them getting bored or frustrated and keep them active, interested and learning through things they enjoy.

Keeping a routine

Do not worry about trying to keep to the full routine that your child had in nursery or with their childcare provider. But children will feel more comfortable with a predictable routine, so try to make sure they:

get up and go to bed at the same time each day
have regular meal times
turn off any electronic devices, including the TV, at least an hour before bedtime

Keeping active

Young children should be active for at least 3 hours a day in total.

It is also good to get some fresh air every day. If you do not have a garden and are taking children outside to exercise, make sure you follow the rules on social distancing.

While inside, there are plenty of things you can do to keep children active, such as:

playing hide-and-seek
seeing who can do the most star jumps
making an obstacle course
playing music and having a dance-off

Television and using digital devices

There are lots of ways to help your child to learn such as reading together and make-believe play. You can also use what children have watched on television or the internet to help their learning. Talk with them about what they are watching or use their favourite TV characters in other games and activities.

Digital devices such as a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone can help some children learn. If your child does use them, try downloading some apps that will help them learn.

Set age-appropriate parental controls on any devices young children are using and supervise their use of websites and apps. See advice on keeping them safe online.

Try sharing things your child makes with your friends and family online and encourage others to do the same. Your child might enjoy seeing things they have made on the screen or seeing what other children have done.

You can also visit Hungry Little Minds for ideas of activities to do together without using a device.

Website: https://www.easypeasyapp.com/

Key stages: early years foundation stage

Description: Fun and games that are proven to help children's development - from birth to 5 years-old.

Registration: is required

Love My Books

Website: http://www.lovemybooks.co.uk/

Key stages: early years foundation stage

Description: With lovemybooks you will find out about wonderful books to read with your child. You will find many creative activities based on each book to make reading even more enjoyable and interactive.

Registration: not required

Transition

Change is a normal part of life and can provide opportunities for children to develop their resilience. Whether a child is starting primary school, changing schools, or moving from key stage 1 to key stage 2, or primary to secondary school, this transition period needs to be carefully managed.

If a child struggles with a transition it can have a negative impact on their wellbeing and academic achievement.

During any transition period, it’s important that children are able to talk about their concerns and are supported to cope with any readjustments.

In school transition

Transition into another class is always a carefully planned event at Chapelford Village Primary School with dedicated planned time given for the children to spend with their new teacher and class. This year will be no different in terms of the thought, time and support we give to the children and this process. Once we are clearer in terms of time frames for return, this will feed in to how we plan this for the children and staff and consideration around class arrangements. As always, we will keep you informed.

Transition to High School

At Chapelford Village Primary School we recognise that moving to secondary school can be an exciting yet difficult time for our Year 6 children, and even harder with the uncertain future of when we may return to school. Every year, our Year 6 teachers meet with members of staff from each High School to share information on the children that may be moving up to ensure that when they start, transition is as smooth as possible.

This year will be no different, and although our teachers cannot physically meet each other, they have already started to communicate over emails and the telephone to ensure the High Schools that your children attend, have as much information as possible. This can include; interests, hobbies outside of school, achievements, targets, friendship groups and academic achievements in school so far.

This year, the staff at Chapelford together with secondary colleagues have already started to think about, communicate and discuss arrangements that will help us ensure each child is well prepared for their next step on their school journey. This could include, transition packs, transition units of work or opportunities to look after pupil well-being as they begin to think about the step up. As a school, we will of course update you with anything you need to be aware of as the time comes.

What about transition visits?

Each year, your child’s High Schools arrange for transition events to take place before your children start in September, these can range from open days and weeks visiting the new school and open evenings all designed for the children to attend the new setting and opportunities to go and meet the teachers. Depending upon when schools reopen this year, these events could look slightly different. Obviously, we and the High Schools are aware of how important it is for your children to have chance to meet staff and possible form tutors for the next academic year and we are all working hard to put things into place together.

High School Transition 2022-23

https://www.warrington.gov.uk/secondary-school-admissions

In September 2023

60 children will transfer to Great Sankey High School

12 children will transfer to Penketh High School

1 child will transfer to St Gregory's Catholic High School

2 children will transfer to The Blue Coat School

3 children will transfer to Bridgewater High School

1 child will transfer to Cardinal Newman Catholic High School

1 Child will transfer to Beamont Collegiate Academy

More information on the Local Authority Admissions Procedures and other schools can be found on the Warrington Council website.

Resources

Please find below a couple of useful websites that you may find informative when talking to your child about transition or raising the conversation. On the web pages, there are a few resources and ideas of things you can do to prepare together should you wish to start having these conversations.

The School Run

BBC - Transition to Secondary School

Questions we have:

On our first day, where do we go?

Your school will send you information explaining where to go on your first day. Try to buddy up with a friend from your new form and find your way together.

Who are the teachers?

Visit the school website and find the staff page.

How many people are in a class?

This will likely depend on the school and the subject. Most classes have less than 30 children.

What happens if you forget where you are going?

Usually, your high school will provide you with a map of the school. Your timetable will tell you which room you need to be in for each lesson.

How long are the lessons?

Lessons are usually 60 minutes but these can range from 45 to 90 minutes. Your timetable will clearly show how long each lesson is.

Which year are our GCSEs?

GCSEs take place when you are in Year 11. In most schools, you will decide your options for these in Year 9.

How much do school dinners cost?

The cost of meals varies depending on what you buy. You will have an account and will need to manage your own weekly budget.

What does our uniform look like and what colour are our ties?

Each school website will have clear uniform expectations - and the consequences for not following these! At Great Sankey, the uniform colours are dependent upon your house.

Can we access the leisure centre during the school day? (GSHS specific)

Some of your PE lessons will take place in the leisure centre.

What school trips will be on offer?

At the moment, many school trips are on hold. There are usually many trips on offer - reward trips, history visits and many more.