Transitions

Reception Children

Starting school can be both exciting and a little scary. We want all our new children to feel safe, happy and secure.  Therefore, it is important that the work starts before they arrive at Danegrove.  Once we have a list of the children that are coming, our wonderful EYFS teachers will talk to the local nurseries about the children and their interests and get to know if they have any additional needs.   In some cases we may visit the children in their nursery setting so that we can get to know them (and how to support them) a little better. 

Home Visits

To begin to get to know our children and their families we arrange home visits. Please don't worry - our EYFS team are very friendly.  They will have a chat with you and your child about what they like to do and their interests.  It is also an opportunity for you to share anything you feel we need to know.

Stay and Play and Our Summer Picnic

Over the summer term you and your child/ren will be invited to a Stay and Play session, where you can experience the EYFS setting and your children can begin to find their way around.  Later in the summer term we also have a picnic, where you are invited to come as a family, meet other families and children, and begin to feel part of the Danegrove Family (ice lollies provided!). 

 

Starting in September

Our EYFS children start later that the rest of the school, normally in the second week back.  As we know it would have been a long time since the picnic we will have a another Stay and Play (first week back) session before children officially start school. 

Danegrove has a staggered start (for the first 4 days, mornings only), with 10 children in each class starting every day.  On the Thursday, all children are in and getting to know each other.  On Friday, we invite all the children to stay for lunch and experience their first lunchtime (and the great food that Olive - our catering suppliers - provide).  The following Monday sees all children attending school for a full day of fun!

Twins or Siblings in the Same Class 

We do not have a blanket policy about separating or keeping twins or siblings in the same class.  Every family and every child is different, and we consider all children as individuals. We will work with families to make the best decision for each child and recognise that this may change as children move through the school.

 

Moving from KS1 (Y2) to KS2 (Y3) - Mixing Classes

At Danegrove Primary School, we are committed to ensuring an effective, happy learning environment for all children.  When children arrive at Danegrove they are put into three classes, with the mix being mainly based on gender and any specific needs we are aware of. Children will stay in these classes through reception, year 1 and year 2.  During that time we really get to know each and every one of them; their individual personalities, friendship groups, who they get on well with (or don't get on well with), their academic abilities, their social and emotional strengths and their areas for development. 

The balance of children’s characteristics and needs in each class across a year group can have a profound impact on the progress and wellbeing of each child and, therefore, we feel that it is important to re-evaluate the class makeup at the end of year 2 to ensure that it best fits the children's academic and social development, and ongoing progress.

As with most schools, there is movement in and out of the school, (families move areas, other families join etc.) We might then take in children throughout the year, placing them in classes where spaces are available. By the end of year 2, classes may become quite unbalanced in terms of gender, educational needs, language needs, personal needs, social needs, maturity and friendships.

In order to maintain balanced classes throughout, our strategy is to mix up the three classes going into year 3.

Reasons for Mixing Classes

Our rationale for mixing is based on the best interests of the children:

• To create opportunities for children to learn and play with a wide variety of peers.
• To develop relationships with a wider group of friends.
• To further develop children’s collaborative skills for learning.
• To enable improved social interaction and the development of social skills between different sets of children as they move up through the school.
• To ensure that classes remain balanced in response to changes to individual needs within each class.
• To develop a strong year group identity in a large three-form entry primary school – being part of a year group, not just a class.

Principles

• Class mixing will take place at the end of year two.
• The arrangements for class mixing are based on the professional judgements of Class Teachers, the Senior Leadership Team, and other school staff who know the children well.
• We will always consider what is in the best interests of the classes and the cohort as a whole when making decisions.
• We will always consider the wellbeing of children and will take into consideration existing friendship groups when we create new classes.
• The children will be asked to name five other children they may like to be in a class with. When teachers allocate children into new classes, they will ensure that each child is in a class with at least one of the children they named

Process

• Class Teachers meet together to plan new classes to ensure that a good balance of friendships, range of educational, social and personal needs, gender and maturity are represented in each class.
• Class Teachers consider the list of friends that children have nominated.
• A lot of discussions about each child, friendship groups, abilities etc. then takes place, with multiple combinations and scenarios being considered, before the final classes are drawn up. 
• New class groupings are trialled to ensure that they work effectively.
• Senior Leadership Team meet with Class Teachers to discuss and finalise groupings.
• New classes are shared with families and children in late June/early July.

Criteria for Class Mixing

Classes will be mixed to achieve a good balance according to the following criteria:

• Term of birth;
• Gender;
• Attainment levels;
• Range of special educational and learning support needs;
• Social and personal needs
• Friendships*

*Friendships: Over the course of primary school, children will have a range of friendship experiences. We find that with some children, friendships can be very fluid, whilst others can stand the test of time. Taking this into account, when we draw up the class lists, we will consider the children’s relationships with their peers both in the classroom and on the playground, alongside the list of friends that the children give us.

The new class lists will be based on the professional judgements of our team, always with the best interests of our children at heart. Once classes have been decided, changes will not be possible as this would make the process unmanageable.

Transferring to Secondary School (Y6)

As children join year 6, thoughts will move to the next phase of their education as parents look at the secondary schools that they would like their child to attend. 

Applications to secondary school are made via the London Borough of Barnet Admissions Team.  Please click here to be taken to the Barnet Admissions website where full information can be found.  The links below may also be helpful. 

Supporting Your Child

We want our year 6 children's move to secondary school to be as smooth and happy as possible.  To support this, the year 6 team and Wellbeing Team will work with the whole year group on the changes that they will encounter when moving to secondary school.  We will also identify children that we feel may need additional help with the changes and offer further support accordingly. 

Year 6 children will attend a citizenship day that is run externally.  The day covers many different aspects of citizenship, including topics, such as how to safely travel by bus and train. Within the summer term, year 6 will have a series of lessons on transitioning to secondary school, with this topic also being covered in Wellbeing sessions run by Mrs Ghosseiri (AHT/Well being Lead). 

All secondary schools will hold a transition day, which children are expected to attend, therefore enabling them to begin to familiarise themselves with new surroundings and experiences.  Schools will also offer additional visits to children that the primary school has identified as possibly needing additional support to make the move as positive as possible.  

If you or your child has any questions or worries about moving to secondary then please do reach out to any member of the year 6 team, Mr Huseyin (DHT), Mrs Toumazou (AHT/Inclusion Lead), Mrs Ghosseiri (AHT/Wellbeing Lead) or Mrs Stevens (Learning Mentor) who will be happy to help. If you have any concerns regarding transferring to secondary school and SEND then please do reach out to our SENDCo - Miss Conisbee.