The Transition Process between Year Four and Year Five

As a partnership of schools, we recognise the fact that individual children respond differently to the transition process between First and Middle school. Some children see beginning a new school as an exciting adventure whereas others find it a major challenge which is very stressful. Even if they view it as being exciting, many children will still feel some loss over leaving their previous school and the relationships they established there. Our aim therefore is to make the transition process between First and Middle school as smooth and as easy as possible for our children, therefore minimising pupil anxiety.

We have worked together as a partnership of schools to develop a comprehensive transition programme which allows the children in Year Four to feel more secure about transfer to the Middle School.  We employ a range of activities and strategies for our pupils including the following:

• School brochures are sent out in September.
• In early October, there is an open evening when parents and Y4 children can come to look around the school.
• During the early part of the Summer term, the Headteacher of the Middle school visits the First schools to be available to speak to parents.
• In mid June, two members of Middle School staff visit each first school to discuss pupil information with Y4 staff (3 staff visit Alnwick South). One member of staff speaks to the teacher while the other covers the Year Four lesson and conducts a ‘Hopes and Fears’ session about coming to Lindisfarne with the children. The Learning Mentor also attends.
• A group of children who are more vulnerable or who find it more difficult to make friends are invited to attend a friendship building session in June which is run by the Learning Mentor and present Year Five pupils.
• For children with special needs several visits can be arranged before transfer day, if required.
• Parents of Year Four children receive a letter from the Director of Learning at Lindisfarne to inform them about the arrangements for transfer day.
• Jane Hall (kitchen manager) sends information to parents about school meals and the cashless system.
• Children come for general transfer day in early July.
• There is a parents’ evening in July.
• A letter is sent to the children from the Director of Learning at Lindisfarne after transfer day and before the end of the academic year.
• A list of required information is sent to First schools. Data is passed electronically to the school office at Lindisfarne.

Transition units of work in Literacy and Numeracy help to establish a clear link between the First and Middle schools and they have been collaboratively designed by staff across all of the schools. The children have previously enjoyed the familiarity of knowing that their work from First school will be continued at the Middle school while ensuring that they are still able to progress with their learning and are appropriately challenged.

As a Middle School, we use Year Four data (from both test results and teacher assessment) to ensure that our children do not ‘tread water’ with their academic progress when they begin Year Five.

The value of peer support is recognised.  When the new children arrive in September, they have their own yard which is separate to the rest of the school, but there are plenty of older ‘buddies’ there for the children to talk to and play with. Our half day session, to which children with friendship issues are invited, also uses peer support to make the children feel welcome and allows them to recognise familiar faces on transfer day and in the Autumn Term.

Our Learning Mentor has a vital role in the transition process as she visits all of the First schools with the teaching staff and introduces herself to the Year Four children, explaining to them that she will be there to support them in the Autumn Term (and indeed throughout the Key Stage). She also runs the half day session for children with friendship issues where they can become more familiar with her on a personal level therefore reducing their anxiety.

Parents have an extremely important role in supporting their child through the transition process and they also need support and reassurance themselves. We include parents in the transition process by giving them the opportunity to visit the Middle School in the Autumn Term when their child is in Year Four. They are guided around the school by older pupils and are able to meet with the Headteacher and other staff who can answer any of their questions and address any concerns that they or their child may have. The Headteacher also visits each individual school early in the Summer term in order to be available to speak to parents. A welcome letter is sent to parents from the Director of Learning for Key Stage Two in June and there is a further opportunity for parents to visit the Middle school after their child has attended transfer day.

Once pupils have joined us, parents of new pupils are invited to one of two drop in sessions early in September to meet the teachers in an informal setting.  We welcome any comments or suggestions from parents on our transition plans and together with first school colleagues we constantly review them to ensure we support pupils in their move to a new school.

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