Transition

Thanks to our partnership with the Pinnacle Learning Trust, Werneth Primary School pupils will now get priority admissions to Hathershaw College. As one of our community’s leading secondary schools, this ensures that all of our pupils will be guaranteed access to an incredible educational pathway if that is what you want for them.

Children in the Early Years:

We have very good relationships with local pre-schools, health visitors and the Early Years Special Educational Needs team

We hold ‘Stay and Play’ sessions in the Nursery and Reception where you can come each week and spend time with your child- getting to know the staff and familiarising your child with the Nursery
Our staff will make a home visit to meet you and your child before they start with us at school
With your permission, we will contact any health professionals that you have informed us are working with you and your child so that we have all the information we need before they start
When a child who has already been identified as having SEND is going to start with us we visit the current setting and attend Review Meetings there. Their current nursery or pre-school usually brings the child to visit us too
We receive transition information for children who are already attending an Early Years setting
An extended transition is available for any child who needs it
Most children in the Early Years will settle very quickly but for those who need it we offer shorter days initially
A visual timetable (pictures showing the order of the day) and a structured daily routine are in place to help with settling in
Individual ‘hand-overs’ are used whenever needed
Parents are invited into the classroom every day to help with settling in and there is daily contact with the Early Years Staff and key workers

Transition to high schools:

Werneth Primary School liaises closely with the Secondary School to ensure that they have all the information that they need to make the transition as smooth as possible
The SENCO and Pastoral Lead from the Secondary School usually requests a meeting with staff from our school so that we can talk about the child’s needs, strengths, interests and learning styles
For children with an EHCP, a teaching assistant may be able to escort your child for additional transition visits to the secondary school, if these are available to them
All information and personal equipment (e.g. specialist seating, communication aides, etc.) is transferred to the Secondary School prior to the child starting in September
Social Stories are used when necessary
The whole year group will be making preparations and talking about transition and your child will be fully included in this

Please read the letter below about how to apply for a high school place:

High school applications for September 2022

Transition to high schools – children with Statements of SEND or EHC Plans:

For children with a statement of SEND or EHC Plan, the transition process begins at the Year 5 annual review
Whilst the decision about which secondary school to choose lies with parents, Werneth Primary School will support you to find the right secondary school for your child
The SENDCo will help to arrange visits to Secondary Schools and if you wish will accompany you on these visits
Werneth Primary School liaises closely with the Secondary School to ensure that they have all the information that they need to make the transition as smooth as possible
Your child’s Key Worker will escort them for additional transition visits to the secondary school if these are available to them
Once the decision about placement has been decided and a new school allocated, the Secondary School SENCO is invited to attend the Year 6
Annual Review, where we will all be able to share information and make plans to assist the transition process
All information and personal equipment (e.g. specialist seating, communication aides, etc) is transferred to the Secondary School prior to the child starting in September
Social Stories are used when necessary
The whole year group will be making preparations and talking about transition and every child will be included in this

Moving classes can be worrying for any child. For some children with SEND it is a particularly difficult time and we want to make all transitions as smooth as possible.

We spend a lot of time with children who need the extra support, providing additional visits to the new classroom and giving them extra time with their new teacher.
If your child has additional key worker support we will discuss if it is in their best interest for the Key Worker to move on with your child. If it is in the child's best interests, whenever possible, we will aim to do this.
Your child’s class teacher/key worker will have discussions with the new teacher/key worker about your child’s specific needs. All action plans, equipment and resources they need will be passed on ready for the change. The SENDCo will also help with this.
The whole year group will be making preparations and talking about transition and every child will be fully included in this. Social stories are often used to help and these may be used in school and at home.
When children have moved to the next class the new class teacher continues to draw on the expertise and advice from the previous teacher and may also need your help in settling your child.
It is important that you also build up a relationship with the new teacher/key worker so that you are comfortable and happy to share your thoughts, successes and any concerns.

Children joining Werneth Primary School in Key Stage 1 and 2:

Ideally before your child starts at our school there will be the opportunity for you and your child to come and have a look around, meet with the Principal, the SENDCo and the Class Teacher. We will have the chance to talk about your child’s needs and what we can do to support him/her.
As long as we have notice of a child’s arrival at our school we contact the previous school to ask for any up-to-date advice to be forwarded to us so that we can put any special provision requirements in place ready for them to start with us.
With parent’s permission, we will contact any health professionals that we have been informed is working with the child or their family so that we have all the information we need before they start.
A class ‘buddy’ will help the child to follow the class routines and will help with establishing friendships.
Individual ‘hand-overs’ are used whenever needed.
Most children in Key Stage 1 and 2 will have been to school before and will settle very quickly but for those who really need it we offer shorter days initially.
A visual timetable (pictures to show what is happening in the day) and a structured daily routine are in place initially to help with settling in.
In the first few days the parents of younger children are invited into the classroom to help with settling in (where this is helpful to the child) and there is daily contact with the teacher or key worker.
Social stories are used if needed.
Lunchtime supervisors will be made aware to keep a special eye on individual children over the lunchtime period and support them when needed.
For children who already have a statement or Education, Health and Care Plan, the SENDCo or member of staff will attend meetings at the current school prior to transfer and the support stated in the Statement/EHC Plan will be in place for the child when they start at Werneth Primary School.