- For Parents/Carers
- Admissions
- School Handbook
- Attendance and Punctuality
- Our School Day
- Supporting Learning at Home
- Behaviour and Relationships
- Calendar
- Start of Year Parents Information
- Online Safety at Oatlands
- Safeguarding
- Food in School
- Uniform & Appearance
- Music Tuition/Encore
- Fun Club
- Parent Information and Forms
- PTA Information
- Transition
- Online Payments
Transition
Transfer to Junior School
At Oatlands Junior School, we recognise that transition from infants to juniors can be both exciting and overwhelming for all involved. More so because the children in our community move to us from completely different schools. We understand that transition is a process and not an event, which is why we begin liaising with our main feeder school, Oatlands Infant School long before the children are due to start with us in September. Key members of staff meet to share and receive relevant information about the children and as we feel that it is such an important time in a child’s life, Mrs McNerney is the designated named member of staff at our school who is responsible for transition between Year 2 and Year 3.
We strive to make the transition process between infants and juniors as smooth as possible which is why the classes are set in collaboration with staff from OIS. The process of transition also involves many more activities, including:
- The Year 3 teachers observing the Y2 children in their Year 2 classes.
- The Year 2 teachers observing the Y3 children in their Year 3 classes.
- Year 2 assembly led by Mrs McNerney at OIS.
- Taster day at OJS with Y2 children spending the morning taking part in art, PE and computing activities with the Y3 teachers.
- Transition day which is when the Year 2 children come to us to spend the day with their new teacher.
Extra meetings and transition activities are arranged for those children who are identified as needing this by their infant school. The SENCOs from both our school and the infant schools meet to discuss any children who have special educational needs so that we can provide appropriate provision from the very first day in September.
Children in Key Stage 2 are expected to take more responsibility in organising themselves and their belongings. We appreciate that this independence can take time to achieve, and we help and encourage the children to gradually become more independent throughout their time in Year 3.
We do understand this can be a difficult adjustment for some children. To help all children settle in to school life we give each new Year 3 class a Year 6 ‘buddy’ class. Most children, despite their anxieties, settle in quickly and thoroughly enjoy the challenges presented. The quicker your child can become independent, the happier they will be.
An independent child feels more comfortable in a different setting and will make the most out of opportunities presented to them.
These are some of the things you can do to promote independence and confidence.
- Give your child some responsibility, however small. For example, packing their own school bag or lunch box; giving you letters from school.
- Completing homework tasks is your child's responsibility, with your help and support.
- Help your child to become a better time manager by asking them to carry out your instructions immediately and to complete tasks asked of them. This could include laying the table, feeding pets, watering plants and tidying up. Ensure that your child can do up shoe laces, buttons, and zips.
- Help your child to look after their own things at home. This will help them with their personal organisation at school.
- Give plenty of praise - sometimes apparently small achievements have taken a lot of effort.
Oatlands Infant School
Transition to Secondary School
The transition from primary to secondary school is exciting for children and marks a new phase in their lives.
Children recognise it as part of growing up and are aware that their lives are about to change in an important way. Like any change, it can also bring uncertainty.
At Oatlands Junior School we strive to ensure that transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible for our parents and pupils in a variety of different ways:
- A start of year parent/carer meeting is held in the first two weeks back in September whereby support and reminders are given about applying for your child’s secondary place.
- If needed, support is available from our Learning Mentor, Tricia Morales, in the OJS Community Hub, with the application process.
- Dates are shared with pupils and parents/carers for secondary open days so they can visit schools to real get a feel of which one might be right for them.
- Colleagues from our partner schools will visit your child’s teachers at OJS to discuss their needs and to identify any additional support which may be needed to help with transition.
- Information about the transition process is shared with parents/carers and pupils early in the summer term.
- Colleagues from our partner schools visit the pupils at OJS and introduce themselves, share how their transition days will run and hold a question-and-answer session with the pupils.
- Detailed transition meetings between Y6 and Y7 staff and Inclusion Leaders from schools for pupils who are on the SEND register.
- All year 6 pupils will spend two or three days in July at their chosen secondary school where they will become familiar with the layout of the school and have the opportunity to meet staff and use many of the school’s facilities.
- PSHE lessons throughout the year, and especially in the summer term, will focus on preparing children for the changes and challenges ahead.
Key dates:
Application start date – 12th September 2024
Deadline for secondary applications – 31st October 2024
Secondary places announced - 3rd March 2025
Please find here the letter sent out to parents with regards to the application, links/flyers to secondary open days as well as some other resources you may find helpful in supporting your child with their Y6-7 transition.
Secondary School Key Dates
Harrogate Grammar School
- 2025-26 dates TBC
Rossett School
- 2025-26 dates TBC
St Aidan's Church of England High School
St John Fisher's Catholic High School
- 2025-26 dates TBC
Useful Links
- For Parents/Carers
- Admissions
- School Handbook
- Attendance and Punctuality
- Our School Day
- Supporting Learning at Home
- Behaviour and Relationships
- Calendar
- Start of Year Parents Information
- Online Safety at Oatlands
- Safeguarding
- Food in School
- Uniform & Appearance
- Music Tuition/Encore
- Fun Club
- Parent Information and Forms
- PTA Information
- Transition
- Online Payments