Transition from Reception to Year 1

 
 

Transition from Reception to Year 1

Ofsted’s Bold Beginnings:

 ‘Reception and Year 1 teachers agreed that the vital smooth transition from the Foundation Stage to Year 1 was difficult because the early learning goals were not aligned with the now increased expectations of the National Curriculum.’

The transition from Reception to Year 1 is a big step for children and requires careful planning. Without careful planning, the move from a free-flowing, play based environment to a more formal, traditionally based curriculum can be difficult for pupils when they move up. The Year 1 learning experience tends to be more formal. The national curriculum sets out clear learning goals across every subject, and there are targets including knowing certain times tables and being able to spell a list of words accurately. Children are beginning to prepare for their KS1 tests taken in Year 2, and are also expected to take a phonics screening check towards the end of Year 1.

There are also more formal teaching approaches used to educate pupils in Year 1 and this could mean more time sitting and listening with focused attention. This is particularly difficult for the most vulnerable pupils who will struggle with new routines and expectations.

It is important that schools manage this change successfully to enable a smooth transition.

CORE OFFER-Agreed by all Primary Schools

  • Full transition days during the penultimate week in Summer-minimum of 2 days

  • Create opportunities for pupils to meet their new Year 1 teachers during the Summer term-for example story times etc

  • Ensure pupils are familiar with social situations or spaces in school such as assemblies and playgrounds

  • CPD for Year 1 teachers on the  Early Years Foundation Stage and vice versa on the Year 1 curriculum through  Local Authority training or in-house.

  • Ensure a thorough handover and understanding of the data at the end of the school year with Year 1 colleagues

  • From September, deploy aspects of the Foundation Stage provision and routines to gradually introduce pupils to more formal learning during the first half term

  • Foundation Stage begins to move to more ’formal’ learning experiences to prepare pupils for Year 1. Begin to establish Year 1 routines

  • Arrange a Year 1 transition meeting with parents in the Summer term-meet the team, explain expectations, routines, entrances, timings and answer any concerns.

CORE OFFER-Good Practice Enhancements

  • Send home a Summer pack of activities to prepare children for life in Year 1 from the Year 1 team

  • Arrange sessions for pupils to spend time with the new Year 1 team during the Summer term outside the traditional transition days

  • Create an information leaflet for parents explaining the provision in Year 1 and offering support

  • Let parents visit a Year 1 classroom with their child and meet the new team after school

  • ‘Stay and Learn’ for parents and children with modelling of expectations and how to learn Year 1

  • Create a Year 1 and Reception joint topic to collaborate on

  • Throughout Year 1 create topic and wider curriculum opportunities in a similar style as a continuous provision

SUPPORT FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE PUPILS (in addition to the Core Offer)

  • Invite Year 1 staff to SEND review meetings for their new cohort in Summer

  • Identify pupils during the Summer Term who may be vulnerable during the transition

  • Bespoke visits to routine areas/day to day Year 1 activities such as the toilets, breaktimes, walking to assembly, walking to the hall etc

  • Ensure successful strategies for vulnerable children are shared with the Year 1 team

  • Arrange a meeting between Reception and Year 1 staff to discuss a bespoke transition for these children during the Summer Term

  • Visits to the Year 1 class during the Summer term accompanied by a member of staff from the Foundation Stage who they are familiar with

SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE PUPILS-Good Practice Enhancements

  • Create individual transition plans for vulnerable children

  • Summer Term-create a plan which includes dates for transition days, a meeting with parents and any other transition dates the school is planning

  • Summer Term-identify pupils who may be vulnerable when they move into Year 1

  • Penultimate Week in Summer-transition days-minimum of 2 days

  • From September- Plan a gradual introduction to a more formal curriculum during the first few weeks

Hull City Council Website Access

The Local Offer
Information on children's centres, Education, Health and Care plan pathway, funding via the family information service, nurseries and early years settings, transition and support in early years settings for children with a special educational need and/or disability.

Family Information Service Hull
If you are looking for childcare to suit the needs and budget of you and your family, the family information service can help.

Early Help Parenting Offer
Parents do a fantastic job, but there are times when some extra support may be needed. As part of the support available to parents in Hull we offer the following courses to help.

Solihull Online Parenting Guides
Gain more confidence as a parent-to-be, parent, grandparent and carer and try these free handy parenting guides full of top tips and advice.

Hull Children's Centres
Find out more about the wide range of services at our children's centres across Hull that can help

Early Help Family Support
There will be times when you and your family need support or when you are not sure how to make things better. There are a group of services in Hull collectively known as Early Help who can support you at these times and make problems easier to understand and quicker to solve.

Early Help Webinars
A collection of online webinars from across the Early Help service.

Foundation Stage Forum Article
Preparing for good transition from Reception to Year 1, by Juliet Mickelburgh