SEND Transition

How We Support Children and Young People with SEND During Transition

Ribbon Academy recognises that transitions can be particularly challenging for children and young people with SEND. We are committed to ensuring that all transitions are carefully planned, well-supported and tailored to individual needs so that pupils feel safe, confident and ready for the next stage of their education.

Starting at Ribbon Academy

We work closely with parents/carers, early years providers, previous schools and external agencies to gather information about a child’s strengths, needs and successful support strategies before they join our school. Where appropriate, the SENDCo will attend transition meetings and liaise with relevant professionals to ensure suitable provision is in place from the outset.

Additional transition arrangements may include:

• Extra visits to the school.
• Opportunities to meet key adults in advance.
• Transition booklets, photographs or visual timetables.
• Personalised timetables during the initial transition period where appropriate.
• Meetings with parents/carers to discuss support arrangements.
• Individual risk assessments and support plans where required.

If Your Child is Moving to Another School

If a pupil with SEND transfers to another school, we will work closely with the receiving setting to support a successful transition.

We will:

• Contact the receiving school’s SENDCo to discuss the child’s strengths, needs, provision and successful strategies.
• Transfer educational records, SEND Support Plans, reports and any statutory documentation promptly and securely.
• Share information regarding interventions, reasonable adjustments and pastoral support.
• Support additional transition visits where appropriate.
• Liaise with parents/carers and relevant professionals to ensure continuity of provision.

Moving Between Classes at Ribbon Academy

Careful planning takes place when pupils move between classes to ensure continuity of support.

This includes:

• Detailed transition meetings between current and receiving staff.
• Sharing SEND Support Plans, provision maps and relevant assessment information.
• Opportunities for pupils to meet their new teacher and become familiar with their new learning environment.
• Additional visits and transition activities for pupils who may benefit from enhanced support.
• Consideration of friendships, wellbeing and individual needs when planning classes.

Transition to Secondary School

Transition planning for pupils with SEND begins early in Year 6 and is tailored to meet individual needs.

The SENDCo works closely with secondary school staff, parents/carers and other professionals to ensure that information is shared effectively and that appropriate support arrangements are in place.

This may include:

• Transition meetings involving primary and secondary school staff.
• Attendance by secondary school representatives at Annual Reviews for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
• Additional planning meetings for pupils receiving SEND Support where required.
• Enhanced transition visits and familiarisation sessions.
• Opportunities for pupils and parents/carers to visit the receiving school and meet key staff.
• Focused learning opportunities to help pupils understand and prepare for change.
• Personalised transition resources, including social stories, visual supports and transition booklets where appropriate.
• Targeted emotional wellbeing and nurture support to address any anxieties related to the move to secondary school.

Where appropriate, Place2Be may offer transition-focused group or individual support for pupils experiencing concerns about change. Parental consent will always be obtained before participation.

The effectiveness of transition arrangements is reviewed regularly to ensure pupils feel supported, settled and able to thrive as they move between classes, schools and phases of education.