Transition at Fairlight
Moving to a new class can be a daunting time for children however at Fairlight we have worked hard and continue to work hard to ensure that this is planned and is as supported as we can make it.
As a school that is proud to have children joining us throughout the year we have many pupils who have positive experiences of being "new" and have then shared what made it work for them.
TRANSITION DAY
On this day our new Reception children join us for the afternoon.
Our Year 6 pupils all spend the day at their new schools.
And all of the other children get the chance to meet their new teacher and go to their new classroom.
TRANSITION INSET
Each year on the last day the staff spend the day preparing for the return to school in September.
This involves teachers spending time talk to the previous teacher and staff about each of the pupils as well as looking through their learning from the previous year.
CREATING NEW CLASSES
To create a new class a number of staff work together with the pupils.
Everyone is asked to choose a couple of friends who they want to be with- we however cannot promise they will be with all of them.
Classteachers give their opinion of who should be in which class.
We speak to parents of children with additional needs to find out their thoughts and opinions.
And lastly we use a scientific process looking at children's learning styles and interactions.
This has taken place for a number of years with our Year 4 pupils moving in to Year 5.
It has been extremely successful.
For some it can be a big worry and causes anxiety however pupils, teachers and parents all agree it works for the children.
They still have their old friends.
They still have many old friends.
But they also have a whole new group of friends.
As well as a new group of pupils to learn with in class.
TRANSITION FOR 2022
Teaching Arrangements for September 2022
I enclose the Teaching Arrangements for September 2022. As part of our Transition the children in school will get to spend an afternoon with their new teacher for September.
Parents will, hopefully, get the chance to meet your child’s new teacher on our Open Afternoon or in a September at a Meet the Teacher afternoon. This will give you a chance to see the new classroom and chat to the teacher. Check the website for details nearer the time.
It is normal for children to be anxious about changes to their class and class teacher. This will be heightened further at this time. As a school we will be spending a significant amount of time when we return discussing this with the children and reminding them that this is normal.
We will however, be asking them to think back to this time last year or to their first day at school and to then look at themselves now, reflecting on how this feeling was only temporary.
It would be good if you could share your feelings and thoughts on your first day at school or the first day in your new job to further reassure them that this is something we all experience.
Positive sharing however and not how you worked hard, didn’t get paid enough and hated the place!!
As you can see from the Fairlight Teaching Organisation September 2022 there are a couple of changes to the current staffing arrangements.
We will be welcoming Miss Rebecca Lennox to Year 5 and Miss Maria Rodrigues and Miss Jamie Rose Tucker to Reception.
Mrs Shereen Avard continues as the SENCO. Mr Jason Hammond continues in his role as Speech and Language teacher.
Miss Martina Joller, Miss Michelle Marchant, Miss Nicola Halfhead, Mrs Marija Austrin, Miss Juliette Cornwell are the PPA teachers who cover for teachers Planning, Preparation and Assessment time that is statutory for all teachers to receive as well as covering and supporting our new teachers.
Miss Sharon Lynn continues in her role as Deputy Headteacher and Mr Damien Jordan continues as Headteacher.
I once again am extremely confident that the arrangements for September 2022 will continue to build on the hard work that is already going on to raise standards and make Fairlight the best school that it can be but most importantly will allow the school to continue to meet the school vision of Every Individual Child Achieves.
TRANSITION FROM JULY 2023
As a school we use a lot of data, evidence and research to inform our practise in Teaching and Learning.
For a number of years we have mixed up our classes at the end of Year 4 and create two new classes for Year 5 and 6.
The reason for this was due to a number of factors:
- Mobility- as a school we see a number of changes of pupils in classes,
- Friendships- these change for children,
- Identification of SEN- children's needs change and are continually identified,
- Preparation for Secondary- Fairlight pupils go to a number of secondary schools.
We have also for a number of years started our Reception children as one group and then during the year we have created the classes that will eventually move in to Year 1.
Using all of these factors and after long discussion we have therefore made the decision that from July 2023 we will be undertaking the following transition plan.
- STARTING RECEPTION: Children will be allocated a class.
- END OF RECEPTION YEAR: Children will be mixed and two new classes will be created for Year 1 and Year 2.
- END OF YEAR TWO: Children will be mixed and two new classes will be created for Year 3 and Year 4.
- END OF YEAR FOUR: Children will be mixed and two new classes will be created for Year 5 and Year 6.
Many 2 or 3 form entry schools mix classes. Some as often as the end of each year.
We have feel that every couple of years is the right thing for our children.