Starting School at Walton Oak
Whether starting in Reception or joining one of the other year groups, we understand that the transition process needs to be as smooth as possible to enable children to make the best start at Walton Oak.
Reception
For children joining us in Reception, we invite parents to a Reception Parents Induction Evening. There will be a presentation by the Headteacher and Early Years Leader and parents will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and receive lots of practical information to support the transition into school. During this session you will be able to sign up for a home visit for us to get to know a little more about your child to enable us to support them in settling in as soon as possible.
We invite children and their parents in for a 30-minute Stay and Play session towards the end of June to see the classroom and outdoor area together. These take place in smaller groups, allowing parents the opportunity to speak with staff whilst engaging in some play-based activities.
This is then followed by a second, longer visit where we ask parents to drop their children off at their classroom and then remain on site for a parent workshop.
We then have a few half-day sessions in September (one including school lunch) before they begin full-time.
Following this, we plan for all children to attend full-time. However, this is closely monitored as we are aware that there may be some children who find the full-day attendance difficult. If this is the case, we work closely with parents and carers to identify the best way forward.
Some children find the separation from their grown-ups in the morning difficult. In most of these instances, we ask that you say a clear goodbye and let us manage the upset. Whilst it is hard as a parent to leave your child upset, in our experience they do settle quickly. In these circumstances, we will ring you to confirm whether your child has settled about half an hour after the beginning of the school day.
Years 1-6
When we are made aware of a new child starting in a year group other than Reception, they are invited to the Move Up morning which takes place at the end of June, where all the children spend the morning in their new class with their new classmates and their new teacher. When a child transfers during the year, we invite children and parents into school for a school tour and to meet their new teacher before arranging a start date.
Teachers are available at the classroom door at the beginning and end of each school day for brief catch-up chats, so those parents wishing to check on how their child is settling are able to do this informally.
