SEN Transition

At St Oswald’s Primary and Nursery School we recognise how important a successful transition is to our pupils with additional needs.

Starting School in Reception

We aim to support our families through this important stage in a number of ways. Many of our reception starters have also attended our nursery but we also have children who move from other nurseries, childminders or home. We ensure that children have opportunities to visit their new class (Elvet Class) so that they can become familiar with the provision, environment and members of staff. All parents/carers are invited to visit school for an welcome and induction meeting. The class teacher works closely with our Nursery team to support transition. The class teacher contacts any other nursery settings and arranges visits to meet the children in their current learning environment. Practitioners from other Nursery settings are welcomed into our school should they wish to support a child’s transition. For any children with SEN, the SENCO will also be part of the transition process. The SENCO will work closely with the Nursery SENCO (from our nursery or other settings) and with any professional(s) already involved with the child/family.

Joining our school at other times

If your child joins our school during a Key Stage or mid-way through the academic year, systems are in place to aid their transition from their previous school. When you visit our school, the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher will give you a tour and your child will have opportunities to see their new classroom and meet their teacher. If a child has additional needs, the SENCO will liaise with the child’s previous school and parents/carers to ensure that we have the required information to enable us to support the child fully. It is always beneficial if parents/carers discuss their child’s needs with us, and share any information, have when visiting the school.

Moving on to Secondary School

We work very closely with secondary schools. We support transition meetings and extra visits for children with SEND and work with secondary colleagues to ensure an enhanced transition is available to those pupils who need it. The Headteacher, Year 6 teacher and SENCO are actively involved in the transition to secondary school process. Early transition indicators are completed by the Headteacher, SENCO and Year 6 teacher. Secondary school staff are invited into our school for all final Support Plan Reviews and EHCP Reviews.

Leaving our school at other times

If a child leaves our school, the Headteacher and SENCO will ensure that all SEND information is passed onto the next school to ensure that they are fully aware of any additional needs the child may have to enable the new setting to prepare.

How we support children/young people with SEN moving between classes in our school

Teachers have designated time to pass over information to the next teacher, where they will also discuss relevant strategies and talk about specific provisions. Individual SEND files are used to highlight the child’s strengths and difficulties, as well as any professional agency input received to date.

Some pupils in school benefit from an enhanced transition between classes which involves relationship building with their next class teacher and becoming familiar with their next classroom.

Enhanced transition is always available and is tailored to the needs of individual children.