Your child's first day at school should be full of positive emotions and they should be happy, confident and excited to start their school journey. This happens if they know exactly where they are going, who will be there, what they will be able to do when they get there and how long they will be staying there. Getting the transition right means children settle quickly into school, learning and developing from day one, so we work closely with families as partners and our local pre-schools to ensure we know the children well as individuals before they begin their learning journey with us.  

Our aim is to make sure that your child builds a positive relationship with the adults in the setting right from the start and builds friendships with the children coming to our school. We therefore start our transition activities in the summer term before your child starts school. 

To help give your child the smoothest transition possible, we offer the following:

• Two transition afternoons in school (one of which where your child will stay for dinner) where your child will get to meet their new teacher and teaching assistant. This is a great time for them to familiarise themselves with their new classroom, learning environment and classmates.
• Visits to nurseries and preschool settings by our Class Teacher Mrs Pook. 
• Additional meeting if your child has SEND.
• A carefully planned transition approach to starting school.
• Induction booklets for SEND children – these include pictures of your child’s teaching team, classroom, dinner hall and outdoor areas.
• Images shared of your child settling in when beginning school through our online platform, Seesaw.
• Reception class meeting during the first two weeks of school as an opportunity to get to know the teaching staff and see our learning environment. This meeting will also include an introduction to phonics and our online learning platform, Seesaw.

During the first few weeks, we will gradually introduce the children to the routines and expectations of being in Reception Class, slowly adding different parts of the curriculum so that the children have time to process and get used to anything new. With all this in mind, we hope that all the children feel settled and happy, so that they are ready and confident to move through Autumn Term and the rest of the school year. 

 We are looking forward to meeting you and your child as they begin their learning journey, here at St Agnes.

The length of St Agnes School week is 32 hours and 55 minutes

Children are expected to be present on the school premises five minutes before school starts in both morning and afternoon.  Parents are asked to ensure, if possible, that their children please do not arrive on the premises before 8.30 am.

Breakfast Club (optional)

8.30am to 9.00am

Our School Day

Entry into School 8.40 am

Morning session

8.40 am to 12.00 noon

Lunch

12.00 to 1.15 pm

Afternoon Session

1.15 pm to 2.30 pm

Afternoon break 2.30 pm to 2.45 pm

2.45 pm- 3.15 pm

Collect your child from school at 3.15 pm

Below are some links to advice for families of students who will be joining us in September. 

	BBC Bitesize - Starting School Resources
	Oxford Owls - Getting Ready for Primary School
	PACEY - Being School Ready
	BBC Bitesize - My First Day at School - EYFS - Understanding the World
	Oldham Council - Getting Ready for Primary School