Induction into a new school

[Fieldday]

Has anyone recently moved schools and had either a really great or a poor induction into the school? I have to design a new induction program into my school and would love to hear of others experiences so I can figure out what works, and what doesn’t. Thanks so much!

Depends If you are primary or secondary as both would slightly be different.

Both would involve introductions in the staff room as part of the morning brief if you have them - then have a meeting with SLT and other key staff in school - using this time to network.

At inductions, we issue the laptop and get their IT accounts set up including email access.

If you are primary - having a session with the new class in September and a ‘handover’ from their current teacher. Meeting parents I don’t think is necessary at this stage. There will be opportunities to do this in September.

Secondary - meeting with the department and the HoD. Welcome lunch perhaps?

I'm primary we have transition days where classes all move up, Early Years children also come in for 2 mornings so new teaches can begin to get to know their classes.

We had an induction booklet with all key and helpful information including staffing structure, main policies (where to find others) illness reporting/ leave of absence procedures etc.
New starters had a mentor who initially went through the booklet and answered any questions. Introduction to the IT system.
Regular formal and informal meetings with a mentor moving forward. Worked well.