Moving from an early years setting to a school or from one school to another is known as a 'transition'. It is important that transitions are planned and managed carefully.

Moving from an early years setting to school

The move to school can be exciting but worrying too. TransitionTransitionTransition is the term used to describe the process of planning and preparation when children and young people change from one phase of education, health or social care to another.  planning involves working together so that children are supported in the move from an early years setting (such as a nursery or a childminder) to a school.

Find out about what happens to support the move from an early years setting to school.

Moving from infant to junior school

Care is taken in the move from infant to junior school. Once a school has been chosen and a place offered, your child's current school SENCOSENCOThe SENCO is responsible for coordinating provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Those are children or young people who need more help than is normally available to pupils of the same age.  or inclusion lead will discuss your child's individual needs with the new schools SENCOSENCOThe SENCO is responsible for coordinating provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Those are children or young people who need more help than is normally available to pupils of the same age.  or inclusion lead.

You can also ask to meet with the SENCOSENCOThe SENCO is responsible for coordinating provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Those are children or young people who need more help than is normally available to pupils of the same age. 's/inclusion leads from each of the schools. This may also include your child’s class teacher.

A transition plan will be agreed by everyone. This might include:

• a transition booklet with photographs of the new school
• discussions with your child about the new school

Transfer days involving the whole class will also help your child learn about the new school. This might include spending time with a familiar teaching assistant. If needed, you can make additional visits to the new school with your child.

If your child has complex needs you should be invited to meet with the team working with your child to discuss the transition. Any reasonable adjustments, access arrangements or additional resources should be considered and implemented as appropriate.

Moving to secondary school

With your involvement, your child’s teacher and SENCO will put the necessary support in place to achieve a successful move to secondary school to help make it a happy and positive experience for your child.

Support may include:

• regular meetings between your child's current school and their new school to make sure your child’s needs are fully understood
• extra visits to the new school if that will help your child
• providing time for your child to talk about any worries and ask questions
• discussions with you about what will help to make the move as smooth as possible.

Further information about what schools can do to help can be found in their SENSENSpecial Educational Needs is a term which refers to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. Information Report. You can find this on the school’s website. We also have links to this information on the school’s directory record. You can also contact the school directly and ask to speak to the SENCOSENCOThe SENCO is responsible for coordinating provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Those are children or young people who need more help than is normally available to pupils of the same age. .

Students with more complex needs may be accompanied by a familiar member of staff on visits to the secondary school. This can either be on a transition day for all Year 6 pupils or through personalised transition days designed to suit the exact needs of your child.

Preparing for the move to secondary school will begin well before the actual move. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, the Annual ReviewAnnual ReviewThe review of an Education, Health and Care Plan that a local authority must undertake  within 12 months of issuing an EHCP or from the previous review.  or Transfer Review will normally happen in the Autumn term before beginning secondary school.

Early discussions about what additional support needs to be put in place for your child should take place before an agreed TransitionTransitionTransition is the term used to describe the process of planning and preparation when children and young people change from one phase of education, health or social care to another.  Plan is put in place.

In the helpful publications section you’ll find the first version of the BCP SEND TransitionTransitionTransition is the term used to describe the process of planning and preparation when children and young people change from one phase of education, health or social care to another.  Framework. The framework was co-produced by a group of secondary and primary SENCos, Inclusion and TransitionTransitionTransition is the term used to describe the process of planning and preparation when children and young people change from one phase of education, health or social care to another.  leads, local authority colleagues and parent/carers across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole - facilitated by NASEN/ Whole School SEND. Future work will further develop the framework.

We hope that all Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole settings will find the document helpful and apply the principles within their arrangements for key stage 2 to key stage 3 transitions.