Admissions

STARTING IN RECEPTION AT HALLING SCHOOL

Quotes from parents’ questionnaires re transition into school (Sept 2019)

PARENT MEETINGS, PRE-SCHOOL VISITS, PLAY DAYS:

“Z has settled in well and the transition days were really useful”

“It meant that he already knows everyone before he started.  He spoke about Mrs Woolmer before he started”

“We really feel that the settling in period before N started made a massive difference to how N starting school has gone.  We were nervous as he has been very hit and miss at pre-school, but this has been the perfect approach for him.  He is really comfortable and very happy to go to school, which is all we could ask for.”

“It helped him understand and helped him to relax and see what to expect.”

“I felt she already felt settled and part of the school before September.”

“A was used to his surroundings.”

(Photo leaflet) “It is good that the children can visualise their teachers and recognise their new surroundings.”

“It got them excited about school and made the classroom familiar for when they actually started school.”

(parents meeting) “There were a lot of questions answered but as always you think of more things once you’ve left!  The info packs have been really helpful as a key reference point.”

“The approach to easing the children in is brilliant and as I have found out, not something all schools do.  Long may this approach continue!”

“Thank you for all you do and have done.”

“Very informative”

“C had a chance to get to know his teachers which I know made him more comfortable when the first day came.”

“The transition procedures were great!  Definitely helped C feel more secure and confident.  I can’t fault his teachers or school in anyway.  They’re doing an amazing job.

“Thank you for looking after our lovely boy and making the transition for him so easy.  It’s a hard job so thank you so much.”

(photo leaflet) “My daughter loved it and put it in her bag.  She took it everywhere with her and showed it to family and friends.”

“It was a good introduction to where they would be going and eased them in gently.”

“By the time we attended the picnic D had a real sense of belonging.”

“Thank you so much for the time you put into the transition.  I honestly believe it has made a huge different to D>"

SUMMER PLAY DAY

“July to Sept is quite a long time so we thought it was a great idea.  It also meant he was able to explore outside and play with others.”

“It was lovely to meet other parents too.”

“The picnic was also great; the children were able to play.”

“It was nice to refamiliarise ourselves with the school.  From a parents’ perspective, it was nice to meet other parents as well.”

“He got to know his new surroundings and peers, making the first day a lot easier.”

“They got to play outside with the other children and explore the field with parents.”

“It was a perfect final step to get them ready and gave parents a chance to meet/catch up.”

HOME VISITS

“Lovely idea, child feels most comfortable at home”

“Excellent and personal to us”

“Excellent, get to know our child in his own environment”

“It was a really good idea.  Giving you a chance to get to know the parent & child a little better in their own environment is very helpful for all parties.

“All questions were answered.  N really enjoyed it.”

“I thought it was a great idea, it gives the child one to one before the start date.”

“She told all her family about the visit.  We still have the photo on the fridge!  I felt more comfortable being able to discuss C at home.”

“Lovely to meet the teacher alone and nice for our daughter to see them in her own environment.”

“Great, it made C feel as though his teachers were friends at home as well as school.”

“It was great to be able to ask our questions in our own time without feeling like you are taking up the teacher’s time.”

“Loved the photo, it is still on our fridge and A thinks that’s great.”

“The visit I found really helpful and made me feel at ease.  A also liked that he could show his teachers where he lives.  It enabled me to ask questions I wouldn’t necessarily have asked in a group.”

“It was a nice touch to see the child in their own environment and showed the teachers had spent a lot of time thinking about what’s best/nice for the children.”

“It was good to get any final questions answered . . . It was spoken about to family/friends and everyone thought it was lovely.  We laminated the photo to keep with special things.”

“It was good to meet teachers in home environment so the kids can meet them in their safe place.”

“The photo lived on the fireplace and was shown to everyone.  Having that time with their teachers at home gave us another positive thing to talk about.  Miss Bancroft put me at ease to knowing I was handing over to a teacher who clearly cares a great deal.”

Only 1 negative comment/criticism from all the questionnaires received:

“Drop off is still hectic.  I really do think this could be managed better.  Otherwise happy!”

Determined Admission Arrangements for September 2021