Choosing a Primary School

Jane Boulton Manager at Springboard Opportunity Group

Patron: The Marchioness of LansdowneCompany No. 269882 Charity No. 1010231

The years a child spends at primary school are the most vital in a school career. It's here that he or she will become literate, numerate, sociable, intellectually curious and able to concentrate.

When can my child start school?

A school place will be made available for all children from the September following their 4th birthday. Full-time education is available to all reception pupils

Parents have the right to ask that their child attends part time and this will be provided by arrangement with the school governors.

Schools will be responsible for informing parents of the induction arrangements for new entrants to the reception class(es). These may involve a short period of part time provision or a phased entry at the beginning of Term 1.

When to start thinking about it

It is necessary to thinking about looking at schools for your child more or less a year before they will start.

If your child is due to start school in September 2014 then start thinking about it now as you can apply for a school place from September 1 2013

September 1 School applications

can be made

Where shall I look ?

• Your local school• Where your child’s friends will be going • Is there a chance that your child will need a

specialist placement ?When doing this also consider these things • Do you have other family members going to

the school ?• How will my child get to school?

Where do I find out about the school ?

• Prospectus – ring and ask for a copy or view on line• OFSTED Summary report – available on line • Governor’s annual report- ask for a copy • Feedback – word of mouth• Open day visit • School website –nearly all school’s have a website

now with all the relevant information on • Arrange a visit

What Sort of Things Shall I Look For ?

• Environmental layout - playgrounds • Class structure – single year group• Behaviour of other children and how this

supports the school ethos • How visual prompts are used across the whole

school • How the adults relate to the children • How the school works with other agencies

What Shall I Ask?

Please make sure that you take the opportunity to talk to someone at the school about your child’s needs. Sharing information is critical for everyone in ensuring a good start to school.

?How are special needs supported in this school ?

When will my child start ?

Term 1`September-

October

Term 2November –December

Term 3January –February

Term 4March -April

Term 5April –May

Term 6June-July

Specialist placements can be allocated at anytime as a result of the statutory assessment process

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Timeline

Early Years Action Plus/DISM review

Information Sharing

• You know your child as well as if not better than anyone; sharing all the information you have about them with the school will promote the success of their transition.

• Journals from Inclusion Support Meetings (LISM/DISM/TISM) are evidence of the progress and support that has happened along the way.

• Common Assessment Framework (CAF) will support the sharing of information effectively.

Who Can Help?• Portage• District Specialist Centre • PASSIS• ASK http://www.askwiltshire.org/ offer information and the Parent in

Partnership service• Health Visitors • Pre school key person / SENCo• Children Centre• School –SENCo, Class Teacher, Head Teacher, Parent Support Adviser (PSA)• Early Intervention Team i.e. Early Support Programme development worker or

Early Years Inclusion Adviser (EYIA) • Local Education Team i.e. Educational Psychologist (EP)• Speech and Language Team

Transition Inclusion Support Meeting (TISM)

The needs of children being supported locally can be brought to a transition meeting to support children with SEN and vulnerable children and families at transition time. These are held at the local enhanced area setting or Primary School.

These multi-agency meetings will :• Improve transitions for children and families• Improve transfer of information between settings and agencies• Identify the need for transport and travel assistance• Support children and families who have English as an Additional

Language• Enable schools to plan for inclusion in line with Disability and

Discrimination Act duties

Your Child’s School

Your Community

You and Your Family

Your Child

There are ALL these things to think about but make sure you keep YOUR child in the centre !