Transition Information
Information for parents of children currently in year 2 or for those children joining us in year.
Welcome to Almond Hill Junior School
We know that sometimes when we are starting something new it can feel a bit scary. We hope our film will show you that although it will be a bit different here than at your previous school, it will be just fine with nothing to worry about.
Please follow the links for more information regarding school uniform, meals and admission forms. You can contact us at the office if you have any questions regarding your child's transition. We would be more than happy to help.
Transition Letter to Families - May 2023
Dear Families,
I am delighted you have chosen Almond Hill for your child’s junior education. Over the years, we have developed and refined our programme for transition through close collaboration between Year 2 and Year 3 teachers along with feedback from parents and children. Comments we have received from those who have made the transition have been very positive. We want the children and yourselves to be able to get to know us, to minimise any worries you or your child might have and most importantly for children to be excited and look forward to coming to their new school.
On our website, we have a series of short films so that families can get an understanding of what it is like to be a member of the Almond Hill family. Although visits for children are planned to take place this year, I would still like to invite you to take a look at these. They can be found on our website:
www.almondhill.herts.sch.uk/virtual-tour
Please see below a summary of key dates for transition:
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Tuesday 6th June |
Year 3 teachers will visit Year 2 children in the morning. |
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Wednesday 7th June |
Year 3 teachers from Almond Hill ‘team teach’ with Year 2 teachers at Letchmore. |
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Thursday 8th June |
Year 3 teachers from Almond Hill teach Year 2 children (Letchmore teachers will observe). |
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Thursday 8th June |
Transition meetings will take place between year 2 and 3 teachers. The Headteacher, SENCo and Pastoral lead will also be in attendance. Almond Hill SENCo will visit Year 2 classes after these meetings. |
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Friday 23rd June and Thursday 29th June |
Letchmore staff will identify some children for a pre visit based on individual needs and parents will be informed accordingly. Children will be brought to and from Almond Hill by Letchmore staff for a short morning visit to meet the headteacher, pastoral lead and SENCo. |
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Wednesday 5th July |
Year 2 children spend the morning at Almond Hill. Children start the day at Letchmore as normal and their teachers will walk them to Almond Hill. Letchmore teaching assistants will stay and walk children back to Letchmore with the Year 3 teachers in time for lunch. |
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Thursday 6th July |
Meeting for parents in Letchmore hall 9.15-10.15am. Please enter via the main entrance. This is a chance to meet our headteacher, deputy headteacher, SENCo, pastoral lead and the governor responsible for transition. |
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Thursday 13th July |
Transition Day – Year 2 children to visit Almond Hill. Children will stay at Almond Hill all day. Please drop your child via the class room doors at 9.00am these are located by the drop off zone and teachers will be waiting outside. Packed lunches will be provided by Letchmore. Please collect your child 2.30pm – 3.00pm and come and say ‘hello’ to the class teacher. |
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Thursday 31st August |
Children are invited to come to our summer school which takes place a few days before the start of term. It is a chance for children to familiarise themselves with the school environment and their teachers just before their first day. This is not essential as we appreciate that this may clash with your own holiday dates and not all children will be able to attend. If you wish your child to come along, they will need a packed lunch. Please bring your child to their classroom at 10.00am and collect them at 2.00pm.
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September |
Year 2 staff will visit Almond Hill to see how the children have settled. Pastoral lead from Letchmore will visit focus pupils. Follow up meetings with Letchmore and Almond Hill SENCos and year 2 and 3 teachers from both schools. |
Before your child starts at Almond Hill, we will ask you to complete admissions forms with important information such as emergency contacts details and medical/dietary needs. We will send information regarding this process nearing to the end of the school year.
Free School Meals
You may already be aware that the Government programme that entitles children in the infant phase to a free school meal each day will no longer apply once your child is in junior school.
If you receive a government benefit, such as Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance, your child may still qualify for a free school meal. You can find information about eligibility criteria online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals You will need to apply for this once your child has left Letchmore Infants in the summer and before they start at Almond Hill in September. If you need any more information about this, please contact us.
We look forward to working with you. If you have any questions at any time, please contact myself, Mrs. Birchall (SENCo) or Mrs. Burgess (Pastoral Lead).
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Emma Fordham
Head Teacher