At Moorside Primary School we know how important a successful transition is to all our children.
How we support children/young people with SEN starting at our school
If your child has already secured additional support from the Local Authority, we will allocate them a Teaching Assistant before they begin school. We can then arrange for your child to attend additional induction sessions before they begin school with the support of this staff member. If your child has not secured this additional support but you feel that they have a need that requires this extra support, then contact us and we will discuss the possibilities with you. Please ask us if you think your child would benefit from an extended transition period.
We are keen to involve parents/carers as much as possible in their child’s transition to school, after all you know your children best. We invite parents into school during the summer term, this opportunity involves looking around the school, being introduced to staff and having the chance to discuss any concerns again before the start of school. This meeting is followed up by another invitation in the autumn term, where the transition period is discussed, reviewed and evaluated.
We provide extra visits for those who we feel will benefit from an enhanced transition. The period of transition depends on the individual needs of the pupil. If a pupil transfers to us from another school, we will endeavour to visit them in their current setting. This gives us an opportunity to see what is currently in place for the pupil and how we can support them at Moorside. Where needed, the SENDCO will attend the Annual Review to meet the current class teacher, parents and most importantly the pupil. At this meeting we hope to ease any worries or concerns for the move to Moorside.
How we support children/young people with SEN moving between classes in our school
In the summer term before children transfer to their new class we organise transition visits within school. A member of staff will accompany the children on a visit to their new class and helps them to settle into the new environment and meet the staff. The organisation of transition for SEND children is an extension of this system. As we are a small school, there are a lot of familiar faces for children! We use transition booklets for children to move between classes with photographs and information to keep at home to try to lessen anxieties for both children and parents/carers. This way, transition can be discussed further at home to support the preparation of returning to school in September with visual prompts as a reminder.
School staff will work closely with parents and were appropriate provide additional support to ensure a smooth transition whether that being as a child starts school or nursery or as they move between year groups. This can be extra visits, social stories etc. We recognise that transitions can be difficult for a child with SEND and take steps to ensure that any transition is as smooth as possible.
How we support children/young people with SEN leaving our school
Children with SEND are given an extensive level of support before they leave for a new school. Their class teacher and SENDCO will discuss with parents how many transition visits can be arranged over and above those offered to children without SEND. These additional visits to the new school will be carried out with the child, a class teacher/TA and parent in the summer term. This ensures that bridges are built between schools, key information shared between staff and the child is given the opportunity to settle into a new routine with the support of a familiar adult. Additional meeting may also be held involving professionals to discuss transition arrangements. SENDCOs from our school and the new school will meet to discuss individual children’s needs and hand over documents. Children may be offered a place in summer school at their new school if transitioning across the summer break.
Children with SEND that have been issued with an Education, Health and Care plan can attend Moorside Primary School for their Nursery and Primary School education. When considering a move to secondary-aged education, a child can then be assessed for Special School if a parent wished them to attend this type of setting.
How we support children/young people with SEN with Secondary School Transition
During SEN Support Plan reviews, the SENCO makes contact with the relevant memeber of staff from secondary schools children are attending, in order to make links and invite them to be a part of SEN review meetings. This is done in order to ensure that both SEN pupils, parents, current school staff and secondary school staff have a link between both schools to fully support transition. This also ensures that all staff from the secondary phase are aware of the needs of our learners and can make adequate arrangements in readiness for the transition of our SEN pupils. The SENCO begins this process in summer term for year 5 and 6 SEN review meetings.
How we support pupils preparing for adulthood
This includes consideration of aspirations, activity and provision that can support progress towards the PfA outcomes and what this might mean at different ages and stages of development.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
