1. Choosing a Primary School Jane Boulton Manager at Springboard Opportunity Group Patron: The Marchioness of Lansdowne Company No. 269882 Charity No. 1010231

2. The years a child spends at primary school are the most vital in a school career. It's here that he or she will become literate, numerate, sociable, intellectually curious and able to concentrate.

3. When can my child start school? A school place will be made available for all children from the September following their 4th birthday. Full-time education is available to all reception pupils Parents have the right to ask that their child attends part time and this will be provided by arrangement with the school governors. Schools will be responsible for informing parents of the induction arrangements for new entrants to the reception class(es). These may involve a short period of part time provision or a phased entry at the beginning of Term 1.

4. When to start thinking about it It is necessary to thinking about looking at schools for your child more or less a year before they will start. If your child is due to start school in September 2014 then start thinking about it now as you can apply for a school place from September 1 2013 September 1 School applications can be made

5. Where shall I look ? Your local school Where your child’s friends will be going Is there a chance that your child will need a specialist placement ? When doing this also consider these things Do you have other family members going to the school ? How will my child get to school?

6. Where do I find out about the school ? Prospectus – ring and ask for a copy or view on line OFSTED Summary report – available on line Governor’s annual report- ask for a copy Feedback – word of mouth Open day visit School website –nearly all school’s have a website now with all the relevant information on Arrange a visit

7. What Sort of Things Shall I Look For ? Environmental layout - playgrounds Class structure – single year group Behaviour of other children and how this supports the school ethos How visual prompts are used across the whole school How the adults relate to the children How the school works with other agencies

8. What Shall I Ask? Please make sure that you take the opportunity to talk to someone at the school about your child’s needs. Sharing information is critical for everyone in ensuring a good start to school. ? How are special needs supported in this school ? When will my child start ?

9. Term 1` September- October Term 2 November – December Term 3 January – February Term 4 March -April Term 5 April –May Term 6 June-July Specialist placements can be allocated at anytime as a result of the statutory assessment process Visitschools Apply for mainstreamschool placeClosing date noonJanuary 15 April – Notificationletters sent toparentsTISMs arrangedbetween parentsschools andprofessionalsInduction Visitsarranged Timeline Early Years Action Plus/DISM review

10. Information Sharing You know your child as well as if not better than anyone; sharing all the information you have about them with the school will promote the success of their transition. Journals from Inclusion Support Meetings (LISM/DISM/TISM) are evidence of the progress and support that has happened along the way. Common Assessment Framework (CAF) will support the sharing of information effectively.

11. Who Can Help? Portage District Specialist Centre PASSIS ASK http://www.askwiltshire.org/ offer information and the Parent in Partnership service http://www.askwiltshire.org/ Health Visitors Pre school key person / SENCo Children Centre School –SENCo, Class Teacher, Head Teacher, Parent Support Adviser (PSA) Early Intervention Team i.e. Early Support Programme development worker or Early Years Inclusion Adviser (EYIA) Local Education Team i.e. Educational Psychologist (EP) Speech and Language Team

12. Transition Inclusion Support Meeting (TISM) The needs of children being supported locally can be brought to a transition meeting to support children with SEN and vulnerable children and families at transition time. These are held at the local enhanced area setting or Primary School. These multi-agency meetings will : Improve transitions for children and families Improve transfer of information between settings and agencies Identify the need for transport and travel assistance Support children and families who have English as an Additional Language Enable schools to plan for inclusion in line with Disability and Discrimination Act duties

13. Your Child You and Your Family Your Community Your Child ’ s School There are ALL these things to think about but make sure you keep YOUR child in the centre !