For New Reception Pupils

In the autumn term prior to applying for a place at our school, parents and children are invited to attend an open session which is organised by our parent governors. All prospective parents are given a tour around our school, spending some time with us, getting a feel for school life. We try to organise this session around our Friday morning Special Assembly, in order for you enjoy one of our family get-togethers and meet our school community. Time for a chat with other 'new' parents over a cup of coffee (and juice for the children) with a piece of cake, helps put everyone at ease and is the start to the all-important networking process.

During the summer term, prior to starting school in September, pupils are invited to spend up to four sessions in school learning what life will be like for them in Class 1. Current Reception pupils help to look after them and show them where everything is.

There is a whole-school induction afternoon, which includes 'new' pupils, near the end of term, whereby all children join up with the class and teachers they will be with in September. Pupils are given the opportunity to stay for a school dinner or bring in a packed lunch, in order to help them settle in to the lunchtime routines; the class teachers stay with them during this time to help them feel more at ease.

Over the summer holiday, the children are asked to put together a special booklet, which helps to introduce them to the Year 1 children and teachers when they start in September; this includes, for example, photographs, drawings and important dates, like when their birthday is!

Parents of new starters are invited to attend a series of Induction meetings which give an insight in to the learning and teaching here at Redmile:

1. Initial Induction/welcome meeting. At this meeting, parents are given a Welcome Booklet which answers many of the questions about daily routines as well as things needed in preparation, like a school book-bag, etc.
2. Reading and writing workshop. The staff give an overview of how reading and writing are taught in Class 1 and how the parent-school partnership is critical to the success of their child's development. Illustrations of how we work with children on their reading, for example Guided Reading, and use of the Reading Record Book, are integral to this, as well as finding out about the reasons why we teach cursive handwriting and how we teach phonics.
3. Numeracy workshop. This gives parents the opportunity to find out how we approach the teaching of mathematics in Class 1 and builds in time to have a play with some of the equipment their child will be using to help them learn.

Parents and children are invited to attend many of our summer events, eg. Sports Day, which we hope helps them to feel welcome and part of our school community.

At the start of the autumn term, our Reception children begin school on a full-time basis right from the start. See our Term Dates.

We welcome all suggestions from our new parents to help further improve this very successful induction programme and encourage you to share them with the class teacher or the Head of School at any time. Our priority is that all of our children are happy at school and if there is anything more we could be doing to improve this, we welcome your views so that your child is completely settled.

Applying for a Place at Redmile School

Read more on our Admissions page.

For Children Currently at our School

During the summer term, children who will move classes the following academic year will spend a couple of sessions with their new teacher and new class. This helps them to picture what it will be like and alleviate any worries about routines that they have.

As we are a small school, there are many opportunities for children to work with different teachers and other children of all ages, so there are very few concerns and the transition is a happy one.

For Children Leaving at the End of Year 6

There are a number of systems in place to help our pupils move on successfully to Belvoir High School:

1. Parents and pupils visit the school early in September.
2. During the spring term, the Year 6 liaison teacher visits to talk to the Year 6 teacher/s and pupils.
3. Early in the summer term, the Headteacher meets with the SENDCo to discuss any specific needs.
4. A two-day induction takes place prior to the children starting in the autumn, enabling them to experience, for example, catching the school bus, meeting their tutor group, tasting the school meals and working in a new environment!

These transition arrangements follow a similar pattern for other schools that children move on to.

For Children Moving in to our School Mid-Year

We offer taster days and induction days according to need. We work closely with parents and the child’s current school to ensure the transition is a smooth one. We ask that parents obtain their child’s workbooks from the current school if possible, in order for us to support them as fully as we can.