Supporting Transition into School 

Our school places great emphasis on ensuring a smooth and positive transition for children starting their educational journey with us. Once Hertfordshire County Council has allocated a place for your child at Lonsdale School, we offer a range of tailored transition programmes designed to meet the individual needs of each child and their family. These include structured visits to the school, opportunities to meet key staff, and gradual integration into the school environment. By fostering familiarity and building relationships early on, we help children feel safe, confident, and excited about joining our school community. Please contact our Admin Team at admin@lonsdale.herts.sch.uk if you would like to discuss transition into Lonsdale School for your child in more detail with an appropriate member of staff.

Supporting Transition into a New Class Group 

When children move into a new class group, we take great care in planning this transition to ensure continuity and stability. Class groups are thoughtfully composed, taking into account existing peer relationships, learning styles, and the need for a balanced mix of abilities. We also consider physical, care and support needs and the distribution of moving, handling and medical support across the school to ensure every child receives the care and access they require. This careful planning helps children settle quickly and thrive in their new learning environment.

All Lonsdale Staff are involved in the process of putting new class groups together each school year. Form Tutors spend time with their groups talking about new class groups and moving on during the Summer Term. For some pupils, transitioning to a new class group can cause anxiety and worry, others take the move in their strides. At Lonsdale School, we know our pupils very well and support them before, during and after their transition. Some pupils will visit their new teachers, peers or classrooms during the Summer Term, prior to moving to a new class in September. Other children will benefit from opportunities to spend time with previous peers once they moved to a new group. Everyone is different, and we look at transition for every pupil individually.

In July every year, Lonsdale School join the Hertfordshire Transition Day. On this day, pupils and staff will meet up in their new groups for September and spend a day of team-building and getting-to-know one another. Pupils new to the school also join us on this day. It is a great day to support children to find out about their new class group, peers and staff, and it helps our children to feel a little more familiar when they return to their new class after the summer holidays.

Please get in touch with Sarah Small, Deputy Headteacher Pastoral Support and Safeguarding at ssmall@lonsdale.herts.sch.uk, if you have any further questions about transitioning into a new class group.

 

Supporting Transition into a New Phase, i.e. Secondary or P16

 

Transitioning from Primary to Secondary or into P16 is a big step for many of our pupils. We celebrate the end of a phase and the start of a new phase with them and their families. A special Primary Prom sees our primary pupils say goodbye to their primary years and welcome their step into Secondary. Likewise, when pupils move into P16, there will be an official welcome to the new phase, and parents are invited to a meeting to find out more about being a Sixth Former at Lonsdale School.

In general, transitioning to a new school phase is a little easier at Lonsdale School as pupils already know peers and staff from around the school. We support transition into a new phase in the same way we support transition into a new class groups for our pupils, and we individualise our approach according to our pupils’ needs.

Our Phase Leaders are here to help should you have any questions about moving to a new phase. Please contact Miss Gregor, Assistant Headteacher and Primary Phase Lead, at kgregor@lonsdale.herts.sch.uk,

Miss Piekarz, Secondary Phase Lead, at dpiekarz@lonsdale.herts.sch.uk or

Miss North, P16 Phase Lead, at snorth@lonsdale.herts.sch.uk .

Supporting Transition to College or Next Educational Setting 

As students prepare to move on to college or their next educational setting, we provide a comprehensive programme of support to ease this important transition. During the Summer Term, students participate in transition visits to their new settings, allowing them to become familiar with the environment, routines, and expectations. In addition, college staff visit our school to meet the students and collaborate with our team, ensuring a shared understanding of each young person’s strengths and needs. This collaborative approach helps build confidence and ensures a successful step forward in their educational journey. Some of our students may require an extended transition with additional visits to college or other educational settings, and we will work in collaboration with our parents to make individual transition programmes happen. All students work with our Preparing for Adulthood Advisor from year 9 onwards to develop pathways and identify possible next steps and settings for students when they move towards the end of their time at Lonsdale School. Parents are invited to attend open afternoons to meet with college representatives at school.

Mrs North is the school’s Upper School/P16 Lead and oversees transition to college or other educational settings. Please contact Mrs North at snorth@lonsdale.herts.sch.uk if you have any further questions.