New Starters
Starting in Reception (EYFS) in September
Starting school is a big step and we are keen to work with families to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Once places have been allocated and parents and the school has been notified, we quickly get welcome letters sent out to let parents know about induction events.
During the Summer term:
- Evening meeting for parents and carers - meet some of the staff, hear how you can prepare for your child starting school
- Stay and play session, with parents and carers - half the cohort at a time to enable them to become familiar with the classroom setting
- Morning visit, without parents and carers
- Liaison between the EYFS teachers and nurseries
Induction meeting May 2023 presentation
Start of the Autumn term:
- We start the term with a few days of mornings only / mornings plus lunch to allow the children time to settle but they quickly start attending full time
- We hold a meeting in September to give parents and carers more information about the curriculum and how they can support at home, with a focus on phonics and reading.
Starting in Year 3 in September
We have 90 places in Year 3 across three classes.
Children who start at William Cobbett during the infant years move through to the juniors automatically, parents do not need to apply for a junior place. This is typically 30 children which leaves an additional 60 places available. Children join us from several different infant schools.
Once places have been allocated and parents and the school has been notified, we quickly get welcome letters sent out to let parents know about induction events.
During the Summer term:
- Evening meeting for parents and carers - meet some of the staff, hear how you can prepare for your child moving to Year 3
- Morning visit
- Whole day visit - spend the morning in their new classes followed by a picnic lunch and afternoon of sport
- Additional visits can be arranged for any children who may need this
- Liaison between the Year 3 teachers and infant schools children are currently attending to find out about their learning and any individual needs in order to support their transfer to juniors and to create three well balanced classes.
Start of the Autumn term:
- On the first morning we invite parents and carers to accompany their child to their new classroom
- We hold a meeting in September to give parents and carers more information about the curriculum in Year 3 and how they can support at home.
Joining other year groups or at other times of the school year
If a child is joining the school in another year group in September or at any other time of the year, we encourage parents to bring their child to look round and meet their teacher before they start. If needed, children may make one or more visits to spend time in their new classes prior to fully starting.
We liaise with a child's previous school as needed.
Children usually settle quickly into their new classes, welcomed by their classmates.
