Reception Transition

Our Reception team begins getting to know children and families well before September.

Families receive a warm welcome letter with key information, important dates and helpful guidance. During the summer term, our Reception staff visit children in their nursery, preschool or childminding settings. This helps us understand each child in a familiar environment and gather important information to support a smooth start.

For children with additional needs, or those already supported by external professionals, we put enhanced transition arrangements in place. This means individual needs can be understood early and supported from the beginning.

Families are also invited to events that help build confidence and connection. Our Teddy Bears’ Picnic brings new Reception families together on the school field, helping children begin to form friendships before they start school. Stay and Play sessions give children time to explore their new classrooms, meet staff and experience Reception routines in a relaxed and welcoming way.

Our Welcome to Gildredge parent session gives parents and carers the opportunity to find out more about learning in Reception, key routines, important dates and school life.

Over the summer holidays, children can continue to build familiarity through online stories and video messages from key members of staff. When September begins, Reception teachers carry out home visits, giving children and families the chance to meet staff in a setting where children feel comfortable.

Children also receive postcards from their Year 6 buddies, helping them feel part of the wider Gildredge House community from day one.

This thoughtful, child-centred approach helps children arrive in Reception feeling known, valued and ready to begin their school journey with confidence.

A happy start to school lays the foundation for future confidence, curiosity and learning.

In Reception, we take time to help every child feel safe, secure and excited about coming to school. Our transition programme, including nursery visits, stay-and-play sessions and home visits, means children already know familiar faces before they begin.

Once children start school, we introduce routines carefully and gradually. Clear expectations, visual timetables and gentle reminders help children understand what is happening next. This gives them reassurance, helps them develop independence and supports a calm start to each day.

Children benefit from warm adult support throughout the school day. Staff quickly get to know each child as an individual, helping them build positive relationships and develop confidence in their new environment.

Reception children also have a dedicated lunchtime experience, giving them a quieter and more age-appropriate introduction to school meals and lunchtime routines.

Through Evidence Me, parents can share in their child’s learning journey and celebrate achievements both at school and at home. This two-way communication helps children feel supported, valued and connected as they begin life at Gildredge House.

Starting school is a journey for the whole family. We work closely with parents from the beginning so families feel informed, involved and reassured.

Once a Reception place has been accepted, families are given access to our Edulink app, providing a convenient platform for updates, reminders and key information.

Before children start school, families are invited to become part of the Gildredge House community through events such as the FOGH Summer Festival, Teddy Bears’ Picnic and parent workshops during Term 6. These opportunities help both children and parents feel more confident and connected ahead of September.

Our staff are visible and approachable at the beginning and end of the day. We believe strong communication builds strong partnerships, so parents know who to speak to and feel supported throughout the year.

Workshops, events and regular opportunities to share in children’s learning help families feel part of school life. Together, we create a strong foundation that helps every child thrive at school and at home.

Reception at Gildredge House offers the best of both worlds: a nurturing, child-centred Early Years environment and the long-term benefits of a Reception to Year 11 education.

Children are taught by experienced teachers and teaching assistants who know them well, understand their needs and support their individual progress. Learning is carefully designed through purposeful play, helping children develop confidence, curiosity and independence while building strong foundations in early reading, writing, mathematics, communication and personal development.

Our spacious classrooms open directly onto a secure outdoor learning environment. This gives children daily opportunities to explore, investigate, play and learn both indoors and outdoors.

Children also benefit from enriching experiences that broaden their horizons, including Forest School, educational visits and access to the wider school’s facilities. These opportunities help children develop resilience, independence, creativity and a love of learning from the very start.

As part of a whole-school community, our youngest students build positive relationships with older students, including their Year 6 buddies. These links help children feel inspired, supported and part of something bigger.

For families, practical arrangements such as our kiss-and-drop system help make the school day easier. The confidence of knowing that your child can continue their education at Gildredge House from Reception through to Year 11 also provides long-term stability, continuity and security.

The result is a happy, nurturing and ambitious start to school life, where children feel they belong, grow in confidence and build strong foundations for the future.

Every child deserves to feel known, valued and understood from their very first day.

Our nurturing approach begins long before children start Reception. Through nursery visits, home visits and transition sessions, staff build meaningful relationships with children and develop a clear understanding of their interests, strengths and individual needs.

By working closely with families from the outset, we help children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

Our adult support means children benefit from high levels of care, attention and encouragement throughout the school day. Staff quickly get to know each child as an individual, enabling them to respond to their needs, celebrate their achievements and plan learning that helps them succeed.

Alongside strong academic foundations, we place great emphasis on independence, resilience and self-confidence. This helps children become happy, capable learners who are ready to embrace new challenges.

Strong partnerships with families are at the heart of our provision. Through regular communication, informal conversations and collaborative working, parents feel listened to, supported and involved in their child’s journey.

Our experienced pastoral and SEND teams work closely with Reception staff and external professionals to identify additional needs early and provide the right support. As part of a Reception to Year 11 school, families also benefit from continuity of care and support throughout their child’s education.

Whether a child needs extra encouragement, specialist intervention or additional challenge, our approach ensures every child is nurtured, supported and given every opportunity to flourish.

Our ASPIRE values guide how we teach, learn and treat one another every day.

In Reception, these values are introduced through everyday routines, relationships and learning experiences.

Ambition means we encourage children to try new things and take pride in their progress.

Support means children are encouraged to build relationships with each other and the adults around them are cared for by trusted adults who know them well.

Perseverance means children learn to keep trying even when something feels difficult.

Integrity means children begin to understand kindness, honesty and doing the right thing.

Reflection means children are supported to talk about their learning and recognise how they are improving.

Empathy means children learn to care for others and feel part of an inclusive community.

Together, these values help children grow in confidence, independence and kindness from the start of their school journey.