School transitions

[B1rdonawire]

We're incredibly lucky to be in an open-minded nurturing state primary school, who genuinely want to get it right for LO and every other child who needs more, whether it's for attachment reasons or other reasons.

They have asked me to come and talk to them, so we can make a plan together about how to manage LO's move to the next class up in September. Because LO needed more time to build foundations and cope with school, they have done their current year twice (a part-time year, then a full-time year this time round) and this has been a huge benefit. However, school and I are very conscious this is likely to mean the transition to a new room and teacher will be even harder in September, because of the feelings of loss this will trigger. LO is anxious and hyper-vigilant, and this will of course escalate but we need to support that.

Has anyone had anything go particularly well / particularly badly in doing this? I am looking to go in with fairly clear ideas if I can, because the school are wonderful about trying to accommodate needs but can't do that if I don't ask

[tinks269]

I have adopted and work in a special school and will start transitioning a pupil from another school into our school tomorrow. He will be coming in for an hour or so tomorrow and then slowly over the next couple of months will build this up.

Could LO start by just going into new classroom to drop stuff off/ pick it up? That way there is no expectation on them to stay in the room but they are increasingly aware of it. Possibly build up to using the room when it is empty (when that class have pe or something like that). Go in and play their favorite game with a friend - building positive memories in that room.
Their class teacher for next year will have to increase their interactions with LO. Positive comments as they pass in the corridor etc.

[CrazyCatLaydee123]

Love this tinks - going to copy and paste your very words for my LO if that's OK? Xx

[tinks269]

Of course it is.

[tldr]

We managed it better this year than last. Some stuff we did;

• spent time in new class just with BFF, then with other kids
  
• met teachers/TAs
  
• knew which teachers/TAs she'd still see
  
• knew which kids would be in her class (split intake)
  
• picture home for holidays of new class/teachers/ta/the door she'd use

[B1rdonawire]

Thanks all That gives me lots to go on, I really appreciate it.

Sorry for the delayed response - MN appears to not work on my tablet any more so that has severely curtailed any posting! Perhaps the universe is telling me to give it up for Lent...

[Italiangreyhound]

Tinks great ideas.

B1rdonawire I have something that did not go well. My ds had some toileting issues when he went up to Year one and these were repeated when he went up to Year two. Although, it would seem obvious two years in a row that this was emotional I approached it from a practical stance etc and once we had established it was not physical anymore (it may have been at the start), I realized it was emotional. I begin to address the emotional side and he was sorted.

I feel a fool for not really feeling sure that there was an emotional component until I had explored the physical. I guess I will not make that mistake again and I might use some of Tink's excellent ideas for Year three!

[Italiangreyhound]

And tldr's good ideas