Helping Children Thrive: The Power of Smooth School Transitions

Joining a new school or moving through the year groups can be a daunting experience for both children and their families.

At Pilgrims, we believe a child flourishes socially, emotionally and academically when they are comfortable, confident and happy in their learning environment. That’s why we place a great deal of importance on school transitions, whether it’s children entering our Early Years (Little Pilgrims to Pre School) or as they progress through the Main School and beyond. It’s about working together, getting to know our children as individuals, supporting them as they develop and communicating closely with parents from the very beginning.

This means that when a child starts and continues their journey through Pilgrims’ year groups, they always feel right at home.

What are school transitions and why are they important?

A transition phase could be the moment a child starts attending Pilgrims. This could include meeting other children and educators, or experiencing new routines and activities. For example, our babies and toddlers may need to adapt to napping  at school for the first time, while our Kindergarten children  go swimming without their parents for the first time. It could also be times when they move up through the school year groups, transitioning from one class to another or to different parts of the school environment which are new to them. We support them through these stages, helping them to become more independent.

Transitions can be an unsettling time. That’s why it is crucial that plans are put in place to make the process as smooth as possible, so children feel content and relaxed with the changes they are experiencing.

A happy and comfortable child is a child ready to learn – so removing uncertainty and worries from their school experience is crucial.

“Little people like to know what is coming next and what is expected of them,” said our Early Years Operations Manager, Ms Kuzio.

“It’s the unknowns that are the scary thing. They much prefer to know what will happen every day and be around trusted adults who know them well.

“Their personal, social, and emotional development depends on us getting it right.”

How we plan for transitions

At Pilgrims, transitions and preparations for a child’s next steps in education are embedded within our ethos to inspire a love of learning.

We take great care to ensure our little ones and their parents are familiar with their educators and other school staff, and they have explored their new learning environments so their journey through the school is seamless.

We invite children and parents to Transition events to familiarise them with new teachers, staff, classrooms and to meet other children across the school.

Mrs Collins, Head of Year 1 and our Main School Transitions Lead, said: “Transitions happen throughout the whole school year. For us at Pilgrims, it’s an ongoing process. 

“Older children take Reception or younger children under their wing and show them some of their favourite places to play and their favourite games.

“They get to mix and do all these things with each other. Their social and emotional skills are at the forefront of everything we do.”

An early start

Life at Pilgrims doesn’t begin at the school gates on the first day of term, we start the transition process six months in advance, getting to know the children throughout the summer term via our “Get to Know Me” sessions, so they are already familiar with the school and staff when they start.

Ms Kuzio said: “We take great care in getting to know each child, what they like doing and what they are interested in, so when the child enters the school, we already know so much about them and their family.

“We then link parents and children with a school educator, matching the child with the perfect person to support them through their learning.” 

Families are an integral part of the transition process, with Pilgrims encouraging parents to get immersed in the school community.

“It’s important to remember it is not just the children who need support in settling in,” added Ms Kuzio, “it’s also for the parents”.

“We make sure the parents go through the process together, making friends within our school community so they feel part of school just as much as their child.”

Support through the years

Transition phases happen throughout children’s time in education, moving through the years as they progress with their learning.

Mrs Collins said: “It’s about anticipating their worries and concerns and to try and put as many things in place to help put them at ease.

“We try to preempt worries and, if needed, we offer support so the children feel more comfortable. From this, there’s a sense of ‘natural progression’. If children feel happy, safe and comfortable, everything else comes naturally.”

To help the children develop their communication skills and open up opportunities for new friendships, each year Pilgrims allocate the children into their new classes which best suit their personality and learning style.

Mrs Collins added: “We know the children really well and what works for them in class, which friendship dynamics work, which don’t and which teachers they respond well to. We can then determine class groups which will  benefit them as individuals.”

Support for children with additional needs

If a child is neurodiverse or has additional educational needs, transition phases carry extra importance, as the change in learning environment could have a greater impact on them.

Pilgrims provides additional support and resources so that every child is able to fully access and participate in all areas of school life. For example, we extend the transition process significantly for the child and their parents, starting it earlier and introducing individualised strategies to support them. 

We involve parents in every stage of the process, keeping them informed of how their child is progressing to develop a strong home-school link.

In addition, we regularly monitor our children to review their progress and ensure we are meeting their development needs. 

Communication is key

Pilgrims has an ‘open-door’ policy when it comes to parent communication – we love to hear from families to help us provide the very best care for their children. Transition is not just about what happens at school, we also support children and their families when experiencing changes at home.

Transitioning into and through the school years needs regular communication with parents, while also supporting children in building a sense of independence and confidence.

In our Early Years areas, parents and educators communicate on a daily basis about their child’s progress through our FAMILY Portal. In later years, parents are kept up to date through a weekly newsletter, giving them a glimpse of life in the classroom. Emails and meetings are used when more individualised communication is required.

Mrs Collins said: “We invite parents into school for a summer term Transition Evening, when they can come and have a look around, get involved in taster activities and see samples of the children’s work.

“My team and I also deliver a presentation to parents about the curriculum and an overview of the school year, so they know what to expect.”

Firm foundations

Pilgrims’ well-planned transitions provide children the reassurance and confidence to flourish, and give them a firm foundation for their journey into and through the school. This also gives parents peace of mind that their child is in a safe, nurturing and happy school environment.

We prepare children for changes they will experience throughout their childhood years, helping them to develop a sense of independence and confidence that they will carry with them on their educational journey and into adult life.

If you would like to know more about Pilgrims’ transition process contact us at enquiries@pilgrims-school.org.uk