Supporting Pupils at Every Stage

At Charles Darwin Primary we ensure that our transitions in the Early Years Foundation families feel a sense of belonging when starting school. As part of our vision we want to education.

The documentation, Birth to 5 Matters, that informs early years practice states that “transitions this and let it guide our decisions around how a pupil’s educational journey at Charles Darwin

Below is an overview of what we offer, and more importantly why:

Parent Engagement Evenings

Parents are invited to attend a presentation evening in the Summer Term. An overview of the Reception year is shared, and a tour of the classroom and outside space is given.

Welcome packs, with information regarding uniform and term dates are available for parents to collect. This allows parents to be aware of their child’s next steps in their educational journey.

This is also a chance for parents to meet the Reception Teachers and the school’s Senior Leadership Team.

Settling in Sessions

In the Summer Term we also offer 6 Settling in Sessions. We run three, onehour sessions in the morning, and three, one-hour sessions in the afternoon.

Parents are encouraged to attend three of these sessions with their child.

1:1 Parent/Teacher Meetings

When a pupil has been assigned to a class, 1:1 parent meetings will take place. This ensures early conversations can be had about a pupil, as well as giving the class teacher a chance to learn about the child’s interests and experiences.

These discussions are so powerful, as to ensure that the transition process is effective, dual conversations between home and school must be had.

These conversations also allow class teachers to ensure the environment is welcoming and engaging for pupils when they visit, as we will be aware of their interests.

Stage (EYFS) are carefully curated to help pupils and to ensure that all pupils are prepared for their next stage of “transitions are a process, not an event”. We strongly believe Darwin Primary begins.

Visits to Nurseries

To ensure an extra perspective of the child is shared with us, we offer to visit a child at their current setting. This lets a child meet their class teacher in an environment in which they feel comfortable in. It also allows us to speak to the child’s current Key Worker and have professional dialogues with them.

Teddy Bear’s Picnic

At the end of the Summer Term, before they start in September, we invite all families to attend a Teddy Bear’s picnic held at school.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic and spend the afternoon with us! It’s a lovely chance for families to socialise with each other, and share positive experiences with their child at their new school.

Story Videos/360 Tour of Classroom

On the week building up to pupils starting school in September the class teacher will email home a daily video of them reading a story. This ensures that the children gain familiarity with the teachers voice and personality.

It also allows for initial conversations to be had when a child starts school, as the books that have been read to the child can be used as a transitional tool to comfort a child.

We also send home a 360 degree tour of the classroom, outside space and school hall. Pupils can access this tour on a device and scroll through the environment, learning where the toilets and coat pegs are.