Transitions

For many of us, changes in our lives can be difficult and can cause anxiety. For children, moving classes also involves a degree of apprehension.

Children have to adapt to different academic expectations as well as changes in social interactions with adults and their peers. Children with additional needs might experience increased anxiety at the prospect of moving up to the next year group.

There are key transition points in children’s school lives: from pre-school or home to Early Years; from Early Years to Year 1; from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 and then from primary to secondary education. Although we recognise and provide support for these ‘big moves’ at Woodhall, we also believe that support is key for all children in every year group. Therefore we provide carefully thought-out activities and resources for all children, with increased support for those with additional needs.

We are a small school, and from September 2023 we are undergoing some big changes in terms of our new merged classes. It is therefore especially important that we focus on carefully-planned transition activities and on building a sense of team identity within the new classes, whilst at the same time retaining friendships and opportunities to play, learn and interact together. We pride ourselves on positive relationships and the ‘Woodhall Family’. Staff know the children extremely well. We hope that the following overview enables you to understand how we deliver our transition support. As ever, if you have any questions, please get in touch and we will be pleased to help!