Transition

Starting School for the First Time - Foundation 

At Kents Hill Park, we understand that children starting school for the first time is a very important step, which can be daunting. The school plans multiple steps during the Summer Term for this transition to support children to become familiar with their new setting and to meet the adults who will be working with them. These include:

Teddy Bear Picnic

Kents Hill Park hosts a Teddy Bear Picnic event, where parents and children are invited into school to spend time in Foundation, both inside and outside. This is an opportunity to meet the class teacher and other key school adults. 

Parent and Carer Welcome Meeting

Kents Hill Park views parents and carers as partners and wants them to be involved in as much of their child’s school life as possible. Parents and carers will be invited into school to share information about their child’s September start, and the school as a whole, to make it as successful as possible. 

Home Visits

In September, before the children start school, the class teacher and another member of the Foundation team will make a home visit. This is an opportunity for everyone to meet and for the school to get to know the parents/carers and the child better, before they join. It’s also an important opportunity to ask questions. 

Staggered Start Dates

Following home visits, children will begin in Foundation part time. They will be in a group of fifteen and will attend school each morning or afternoon for one school week. This gives the children an opportunity to settle into their new surroundings and prepares them for then attending school full time. 

Foundation Pupil Information Booklet 2024

Joining School in Year 3 

Welcome Packs

Following national offer day, parents/carers we will be sent a welcome pack that contains important information about Kents Hill Park and a pupil booklet with photos of the school and school adults. This is designed to be shared, so that the child is familiar with their new setting before starting. 

Transition Day

During the Summer Term, children are invited into Kents Hill Park to spend the whole day with their new Year 3 class teacher and to meet their new peers. It also allows them time to become familiar with the school building and the school rules and routines ready for their September start.

Year 3 Information Booklet 2024

Parent and Carer Welcome Meeting

Kents Hill Park views parents and carers as partners and wants them to be involved fully in their child’s school life. Parents and carers will be invited into school to share information about their child’s September start, and the school as a whole, to make it as successful as possible. 

Expectations for Excellence

Year 7

Transition from primary to secondary school represents one of the biggest steps in education for pupils. Year 7 is the start of an exciting new chapter, but for many children this can also be a daunting process. Kents Hill Park School has developed a transition programme that supports pupils in this significant change. 

Once pupils have been allocated to Kents Hill Park, the school will contact their current primary to arrange a visit or virtual presentation. During the presentation, staff will give pupils an overview of ‘Life at Kents Hill Park School’. This will include a virtual tour, classroom expectations, the school’s ethos, behaviour systems, house system and staff. A question and answer session is also offered during this time to try and alleviate any concerns pupils may have. 

Pupils will then be invited for an induction session at Kents Hill Park School. This is an opportunity for them to meet some of their tutor, new classmates, members of staff and also familiarise themselves with the building. Following this, the school will host a parent information evening, which will provide an opportunity to ask questions and to give further clarification on any details regarding a pupil’s transition. 

On the pupil’s first day in September, further time will be given to the year group to support their transition into school, prior to the return of our other year groups. This helps pupils understand the school’s ethos and routines as quickly as possible. 

The final event for transition gives the school the opportunity to celebrate collectively, with pupils giving their parents a guided tour around Kents Hill Park. 

Please view the Year 7 Transition Video below, which features talks from the Headteacher, Mr Pilgrim, the Head of Year 7, Mrs Stammers and other staff members. 

Year 7 Information Booklet

Expectations for Excellence

Year 7 Recommended Reading