Transition to Manor Leas Junior Academy

 

Preparing your child to start at Manor Leas Junior Academy is taken seriously and a tailored programme has been developed to ensure that each child is supported from the moment you decide to enroll here. 

Visits to the school are welcome and our main feeder schools work alongside us to ensure that all children visit several times before they begin in September.   The Year 3 team and the SENDCo make this transition smooth by visiting the local feeder schools on several occasions to spend time with the new cohort.  We use exciting stimulus such as Now Press Play lessons to work with the children on drama activities.  In addition, the team meet the children in the security of their own classrooms, watch them accessing their learning, answer questions about their new school as well as lead story time. 

 

Our main Transition Day has been carefully crafted to ensure that the children are welcomed into the school and begin to understand the routines and layout of the school.  Our outdoor mathematics sports afternoon takes place on this day and  is supported by the Year 3 staff team.  They even spend time with the older children in school so that relationships begin to develop.  Children create friendships and sometimes buddies that last well into their school life at Manor Leas.  The current Year 3s are always on hand to act as guides and buddies.  They share their experiences of starting the Juniors and speak openly about the school and alleviate any worries quickly.  

 

Additionally, we are proud to offer the new Year 3s an extra transition day before all other year groups return to school in September.  This is to ensure that they have the entire school to explore and the whole staff to meet and work with.  Having only the Year 3s in school allows us to cater their first day totally to supporting their well-being and smooth transition.  Activities using all of the school's resources and environment ensures that they begin to feel at home straight away. One of these activities is a treasure hunt around the whole school and grounds - helping to make the site become familiar and safe immediately.  

 

Once in school, Year 3s enjoy the Circus Skills day.  This is provided by the Friends of School as an additional Transition project.  Children use skills of endurance and determination, as well as team work, to try new activities such as tightrope walking, stilts and uni-cycles.  

 

We work closely with parents and Year 2 teachers to discuss individual children's needs to ensure Transition is smooth and secure.  

Open Days for Prospective Parents

Our philosophy is that 'every morning is an open morning!' Please do get in touch if one of our open mornings is inconvenient for you. Please feel free to bring your child or children along with you to look around our wonderful school!

Year 3 Pupil Profiles

Check our the views of our fantastic past Year 3 pupils! These have been made by Manor Leas Junior Academy to support the transition of prospective pupils.