Do teachers write 'handover notes' about each of their pupils?

[MamOfTwo]

Do teachers have to write notes/case studies on each child in their class for the new teacher who will have the class next year, or just case studies for those pupils where there are concerns etc to flag up? Just curious really...

They don't 'have to' but most do. There might be a staff meeting dedicated to talking with the old and new teachers so teachers can make notes on their new class.

They will go through every child, but obviously there might be more info on certain children.

Just my experience by the way, that's how I've always fine it.

Done it

We used to meet up for an hour or so after school to discuss each child in the class, group dynamics etc. Did the same in all 3 schools I worked in.

Not in my experience.

We hand over all assessments etc, but nothing formally written about each child.

If a child is particularly 'challenging' or has special medical needs and so on, then we would verbally pass on information to next year's Teacher.

Generally (if moving year groups within the same school) you already have a good idea about your new children. Just from general staff room chit chat.

Our school has verbal handovers - the teachers meet to discuss individual children and give some info about each child.

Not in my experience. I've certainly never written notes for the next teacher.

We meet informally and the "incoming" teacher will make relevant notes. A couple of times I've written things down (unofficially) for the teacher I'm handing over to if we haven't been able to meet up for some reason.
We still make up our own minds about children - but I usually look at my notes a few weeks into the term and recognise traits.
This is very different from the sorts of info that must and should be passed on for smooth transition of learning - groups/levels/personality clashes/preferred learning styles/intervention strategies used etc... All groups are flexible, so this doesn't mean that a child will stagnate in one group for their whole school career if it's time for them to move up. Or down.

We have class sheet, updated each half term with assessment levels and intervention groups/IEP info, and each child has a 'personal' block on it that you keep updated with useful info/notes. These could be friendship issues, S&L referral, issues from home (parents splitting, new baby, house move etc), particular progress/difficulty in a certain area, meetings about anything raised by parents, prolonged illness - anything really that might impact on a child's learning and progress. By the end of the year it contains lots of useful stuff that is passed on to the new teacher, and forms the basis of the 'handover' chat we have.

we also warn one another of the parents we have had difficulty with throughout the year so that the next teacher hopefully won't fall into the same trap

We have a meeting where we pass up written information on levels, school work, group lists, SEN and IEP info, home language, any illnesses or suspected and undiagnosed problems that may affect their learning. Etc.

We also verbally exchange notes on parental support, home issues, friendship groups and who should be in different groups, teaching and assessment strategies that work for particular children. Which may or may not be jotted down for later reference.

Basically any things that may affect the child's learning.

Our school has a verbal handover, and obviously the new teacher has all the reports and assessments that the current teacher has made.

I've done this in the past by having a chat with the next teacher, while they jot down anything they want. However, different teachers see different aspects to pupils so I prefer to let the next teacher make up their own mind. I certainly don't take huge note of everything I get told about my future children. Apart from anything else they deserve the chance for a fresh start in September.

Obviously levels and SEN data is very important!

In our school there are handover meetings where each child is discussed and short notes taken and also as Citrus says

Most children are pretty well known already because there is a lot of cross-year group and House system interaction, but in regard to specific educational needs and learning styles the handover meetings are invaluable.

Do schools not keep records that all staff can access?

This is in addition to the endless paperwork in pupil files recording results of every assessment they have ever taken and their position in the class for each of these, and their expected progress.

Unlike data, the handover discussion is personal. So much more to know about children than academic results.

We don't have endless paperwork just useful records ... interesting to hear how other schools work.

We keep records. But why would I want to go rooting through different records and folders in difference places when the previous teacher can just have a quick chat with me and hand the information over in one go...? It's more personal.

Why are they in different places?
I know all 30 of the children I will teach next year "personally" and the teacher who will teach my present class next knows them "personally"

We do at our school.. We hand on all assessment info, info on the child and another other with 'for your eyes only' notes e.g. Difficult parents, behaviour issues, family circumstances etc

Records tell you how much progress the child has made. A chat with the teacher tells you why.

'He hasn't made much progress this year because the dog died and his dad walked out' is a lot different to 'she hasn't made progress because she chats all the time despite being nagged by teacher and parents'.

Likewise it's good to know any friendship issues, personality traits etc.

Perhaps our school is different but we tend to know those kinds of details

Why are they in different places? Is that a serious question? Why are IEPs and planning documents and assessment data and confidential information kept in separate folders?

Okay...

It's lucky that you know all the children "personally." I wish I had the chance to see children in classes on the other side of our school but we seldom cross paths except in assembly when they are all sat quietly listening or singing.

We do transfer files - A4 lever file - print outs of SIMS data on progress, this year's reports, notes from parents' evenings, APP, guided reading information, swimming info, IEPs, pen portraits, photograph info (those who are and aren't allowed to have their photo taken and where it can be published) and then an A4 hand-over sheet on each child - including family and medical circumstances, friendships and any other pertinent info. Oh yes, lots of paperwork!