Transition Support

At Eton Park Junior Academy, we recognise that moving from one phase of education to another is an important milestone for every child. We work closely with our partner schools to make transition as smooth, positive and familiar as possible, helping pupils to feel confident, prepared and ready for their next step.

Our transition work goes beyond the standard arrangements between schools. We deliberately create additional opportunities for children and families to build relationships, understand expectations and become familiar with the routines and values that will support them throughout their education and really use our close links with our Affinity Learning Partnership academies to make transition as smooth as possible for our pupils.

Transition from Year 2 to Year 3

We work particularly closely with Lansdowne Infant Academy, supporting pupils as they prepare to move into Key Stage 2 and join Eton Park. For other Infant and Primary schools in the local area, we always endeavour to offer the same package of transition for pupils, knowing that they may be the only pupil starting from their school - we know this can be daunting for both the children and their parents.

As part of this partnership, pupils benefit from:

• an additional transition day, giving children two separate opportunities to spend time at Eton Park, meet staff and become familiar with their new environment;
• enhanced transition arrangements for identified pupils, including additional visits and individualised support where this will help a child to feel secure and successful;
• parent welcome sessions in July and September, allowing families to meet members of the Eton Park team, ask questions and understand the routines and expectations of junior school;
• close communication between staff across both academies so that important information about pupils' learning, wellbeing and individual needs can be shared effectively; and
• a shared approach to Values, creating continuity for children as they move between the two schools and reinforcing common expectations around how we learn, behave and treat one another.

Once pupils arrive at Eton Park, transition support continues throughout the first weeks of Year 3. Staff carefully monitor how children are settling in and work closely with families where any additional support is needed, even teaching our new pupils the 'Eton Park Way' behaviour curriculum to help them settle in and understand our shared expectations and routines.

Our aim is for pupils to arrive in Year 3 already feeling that they truly belong at Eton Park.

Preparing for Year 7

Transition is equally important when our Year 6 pupils prepare to leave Eton Park and move into secondary education.

Throughout Year 6, we help pupils develop the confidence, independence and organisational skills they will need for life in Year 7 and beyond. This includes explicitly teaching and practising routines and expectations that will support pupils when they encounter a larger school environment, different teachers, increased independence and greater responsibility for their own learning.

We work closely with local secondary schools and have a particularly strong transition partnership with our fellow Affinity Learning Partnership academy, The de Ferrers Academy.

During the Summer Term, staff from de Ferrers provide additional events and transition opportunities for Eton Park pupils, helping children to become familiar with secondary school life before their formal transition days. Staff across the two schools also share information about routines, expectations and individual pupils so that transition can be carefully planned.

For pupils who may find transition more challenging, additional support can be arranged. This may include further visits, opportunities to meet key adults, familiarisation with the secondary school environment and closer communication between families and staff.

Building confident learners

Transition is not something that begins a few weeks before a child changes school.

Throughout their time at Eton Park, our pupils are encouraged to become increasingly independent, resilient and responsible. Through our curriculum, Academy Values, leadership opportunities and consistent routines, we prepare children not simply for their next classroom, but for the next stage of their education.

By working closely with families, Lansdowne Infant Academy, The de Ferrers Academy and our wider partner schools, we aim to ensure that every pupil experiences a transition that is well planned, supportive and built around their individual needs.