Transition

Starting at Newlands

We work hard to ensure that children and families are prepared for their time at Newlands.  For those starting with us at the beginning of the new school year we hold a parent afternoon where families who have not had an opportunity previously to look round can do along with meeting staff members from their child’s class team and our head teacher.  We will also use this opportunity to share further information about the school and hand out welcome packs with the details school will need to prepare for your child’s first day. 

This is followed by several transitions sessions where children can spend time with their new class team and peers.  We hold these alongside our whole school transition afternoons so that new classes for September are able to meet each other.

We will also work closely with your child’s current educational setting to gain further insight into their learning journey so far.

For those children joining us within the school year we will follow the same transition process but adapted for individuals, ensuring families meet our head teacher and the class team and children are able to spend time in class before their official start date.

From Year 6 - Year 7

Many children from Newlands move on to attend Redwood Secondary School in Rochdale at the end of Year 6, aged 11. 

We prepare them (and you) for this change in several ways,  including:

• Taking them to visit Redwood School throughout the year to meet children and staff.  this is part of a carefully planned transition programme.
• Inviting Redwood Staff to Annual Review Meetings (so they can learn more about the children)
• Talking about moving schools in Class groups
• Making sure Redwood staff have lots of information about the children (including their favourite activities and foods!)
• Inviting Redwood Staff to see the children in lessons at Newlands
• Providing one-to-one support for children and families, addressing anything that is causing a worry, big or small

 
Toni Wolstenholme, our Family Liaison Office also visits Redwood in the first few days in September - everyone likes to see a familiar face and Toni helps with any difficulties at the start of term 

We also support children moving to other secondary schools.  This happens sometimes when families move house to live outside Rochdale LA.   Arrangements are made directly with these schools and families.