Mid-Term Transition
From time to time new children join the school when it’s not the normal time of transition. In most of these cases the headteacher shows parents and the child/children around the school when the family are able to meet their prospective class teacher and class.
As and when a child is accepted into school mid term, the class Teacher will be advised by the Headteacher so that suitable preparation can be made and the children of that class informed.
When the child joins the school it is important to make them feel welcome and secure and to explain class rules etc. Class teachers also appoint a buddy to help the child find their way around the school particularly at playtimes and during the lunch period.
The class teacher should also introduce the child to the dinner supervisors so that a watchful eye can be kept on them in the first few days to make sure they are settling in with a friendship group.
A further meeting with the class teacher is arranged within the following two weeks to further collection of information.
Transition into Nursery and Reception
We work very hard to ensure that children have a smooth transition into Nursery and Reception. We recognise that the move into a new school or year group is a big one – often for parents and carers as much as for the children.
Most of the children in the Nursery will transition to Reception. The children will use parts of the school throughout the year such as the dining hall. This enable them to feel more secure in their wider environment prior to their transition.
Autumn Term
Open days are offered monthly throuout the year for current and prospective parents to visit the school and see the setting. Advice is given during these meetings about making applications and a general overview of the school.
We offer all parents a 1:1 meeting to meet their new Nursery or Reception.
A staggered intake for all Nursery and Reception children, to allow them to settle into the school in smaller groups.
Spring Term
January - Parents make their applications for Nursery and Reception. Children who attend the school Nursery are still required to make a separate application to the Infant school.
Summer Term
Places are offered in April for Nursery and Reception starts in September.
Transition of information from previous nursery/school.
Visits to new classroom take place as Stay and Play sessions. which are short sessions to meet the class teacher and teaching assistant in the child's new classroom.
A Parent information meeting is booked during the summer term for all parents/carers of new children beginning in September. This meeting informs the parent/carer of useful information they will need for when their child starts at our school.
By the end of the Summer Holidays the class teacher will email out a 'welcome to year group' presentation - this has useful information regarding what your child can expect and need for the academic year.
Years 1 to 6 Transition
All year groups have government statutory schemes of learning to follow. The children will be assessed at the end of the year to see if they have reached the expected standard. All children are supported in order to achieve this and are given extra support and guidance if needed.
For Year 1, the organisation and timetable for the day looks a little different to that experienced in Reception. For Years 2 to 6, the organisation and timetable are fairly the same.
Year 2 to Year 3 Transition
Most of the children transfer from St Mary’s Catholic Nursery and Infants school to St Mary’s Junior school. As a result we have good links across the school and work together to ensure a smooth transfer. The children will be used to visiting the Juniors for masses, concerts etc and many will already have older brothers and sisters with us. For new children the staff will be aware of children who come from elsewhere and may need additional support or help to settle in and make new friends.
Autumn Term
The school provides advice for parents about Borough admission procedures.
- Teachers advise parents to speak to the headteacher about any concerns before completing their forms.
- Year 3 are buddied with a pupil in Y6. This gives Y6 responsibility and helps Y3 settle in to their new school. In the summer term Y3 pupils write to their buddy when Y6 are on the Isle of Wight and Y6 write back about their experiences.
- Buddies meet up and Y6 write their buddy a story at Christmas and at other opportune times.
Spring Term
- Places for Year 3 are confirmed in April for a September start.
Summer Term
- Year 3 teachers visit St Mary’s Infants School to meet children in their current classes.
- Year 2 children visit St Mary’s Juniors and are shown round by current Y3 pupils and headteacher and deputy and then meet with their new class teacher. New children from other schools may be shown round on a separate visit with their parents.
- Year 2 and Year 3 teachers liaise before transfer.
- Year 2 parents meet with the headteacher and other members of SLT.
- Year 2 parents with children with additional needs are individually invited to a meeting with a Year 3 teacher and/or SENCo if appropriate.
- Records are transferred from the previous school
- Y3 return to the Infants School with their teachers for the Leavers Mass and the end of the summer term.
Y6 Transfer to High School
Autumn Term
- Throughout the year teachers plan to encourage children to take responsibility for themselves and their belongings in preparation for High school. This includes looking after their own possessions, equipment and resources and getting to and from lessons promptly.
- In July Year 5 parents are invited to a meeting with the Executive Headteacher and Admissions Officer to discuss the admissions procedure. Application forms and a list of dates for high school open evenings are distributed to Year 6 parents from the school.
- Most children transfer to the two Catholic Sutton high schools of St Philomena’s for girls and The John Fisher for boys.
- The school provides advice for parents about Borough admission procedures. Teachers advise parents to speak to the headteacher about any concerns before completing their forms.
- There is good liaison with the two Catholic high schools throughout the year through their sport and technology status giving children additional opportunities for visiting the High Schools. Pupils from these schools also regularly visit St Mary’s through work experience, voluntary service etc. and provide opportunities for the younger children to ask questions and become more familiar with High school expectation and practice.
Spring Term
- Parents and children are given confirmation of their high school place (March 1st).
- The headteacher offers advice on appeals and any other options parents may have.
Summer Term
- Year 6 teachers meet with Year 7 High School teachers to discuss individual needs/concerns etc. These meetings are arranged between the teachers at mutually convenient times (usually June or beginning of July).
- The SENCo is responsible for ensuring all special needs information is sent with the rest of the pupil’s records.
- Children visit their High Schools in July on a date determined by the High School. Children are given a special mark in the register to account for their absence.
- Teachers prepare children for High School through discussion and activities like circle time, junior citizenship programme and the Year 6 trip to the Isle of Wight. Children are encouraged to discuss any concerns they may have.
- Year 6 teacher and/ or SENCO attend an information sharing meeting with staff from appropriate high schools.
- All records will be transferred to the childs Secondary school once they leave the Junior School.
Transfer to High School Information
Transfer to High School takes place at the end of Year Six when most children are eleven years of age. Applications for secondary school places must be made centrally online to the local authority Admissions Department online at www.sutton.gov.uk/admissions.
At St. Mary's Catholic Junior School, we have compiled a list of the Catholic High Schools most of our Year 6 children transfer to:
St Philomena's Catholic High School for Girls, Carshalton
The John Fisher School, Purley
Children also transfer to these schools:
Thomas More Catholic School, Purley
Transfer to Secondary School 2025 entry Open Evening Dates and Information -
In addition, open events are held at Sutton secondary schools in September and October, offering families an opportunity to explore the schools and gather information. These events are intended for families with children who were scheduled to transfer to secondary school in September 2025.
Secondary school open evenings - Sutton Council
Please click on the links below to access the 'Start Secondary School 2025' applying to transfer from Primary to Secondary school 2025.
Applying to Transfer to Secondary School - Sutton Council
Within the above link is a link to a video talking parents through how to apply.
Individual video link below
eAdmissions Application Process Film - YouTube
Documents
Transfer to Secondary School 2025 Open Evening Information sheet
Transfer to Secondary School Presentation 2024
Applying for Secondary School 2025