Transitions - Southdowns School 

Supporting Successful Transitions

At South Downs School, we understand that transitions can be both exciting and challenging for children and their families. Our aim is to make every transition as positive, personalised and well-supported as possible. We work closely with pupils, parents and carers to build familiarity, reduce anxiety and ensure that children feel safe, confident and ready for the next stage of their educational journey.

Joining South Downs School

When a child joins South Downs School, we take time to get to know them as an individual and work in partnership with families from the very beginning.

Our transition support may include:

• Opportunities for parents and carers to visit the school, meet the class teacher and wider class team, and see the learning environment.

• Working collaboratively with families to create a My Support Plan – an individualised "All About Me" document that helps us understand each child's strengths, interests, communication style, support needs and what is important to them.

• Individualised transition books with photographs of key staff, classrooms and important areas of the school.

• Carefully planned visits and "pop in and play" sessions to help children become familiar with their new surroundings.

• Opportunities for families to share information, ask questions and discuss any concerns ahead of the transition.

Moving Between Our Key Stage Sites

Moving between sites is an important milestone for our pupils. We carefully plan each transition to ensure that both children and families feel informed, supported and prepared.

To support this process, we:

• Share information about site transfers with families as early as possible.

• Signpost parents and carers to any paperwork or processes that may need to be completed ahead of the move, such as transport applications.

• Arrange opportunities for families to visit the new site and become familiar with the environment.

• Hold Meet the Teacher events and coffee mornings to help families build relationships with the new staff team.

• Provide personalised transition books to help pupils become familiar with their new classroom, staff and surroundings.

• Organise transition visits for pupils, including opportunities to travel to and visit their new site using the school minibus where appropriate.

• Arrange "getting to know you" visits between sites, enabling new class staff to spend time with pupils in their current setting before the move takes place.

• Ensure staff from both sites work closely together to share important information about each pupil's strengths, interests, communication methods and support needs to ensure continuity and consistency.

By taking a personalised approach and working closely with families, we aim to ensure that every child feels known, understood and supported throughout their transition journey at South Downs School.