Planning transition to a new school

How soon should you start planning for transition to a new school?

Whether or not your child has a diagnosis or statement of special educational needs, if you feel that they will need extra support, it is essential to start planning the transition to a new school as early as possible.

“Now we know which school he'll be going to I can meet up with the SENCO and work out what is and isn't available.”

Depending on the school, you may need to approach them to make an appointment to meet the headteacher or the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO).

This is an opportunity to help the school get to know your child, and to find out how their transition to the new school can best be supported, through a combination of information, visits, mentoring.

• You might find it helpful to invite a third party to this meeting, for example a representative of a local Asperger’s or autism support group.
• Write down any questions you have before the meeting
• Take along copies of any information you think might help the new school get to know your child:
  • reports from any professional assessments (Speech and Language Therapist, Educational Psychologist)
  • reports from the previous school
  • information about autism, Asperger’s, and any other conditions
  • your child's 'communication passport' describing how they prefer to communicate

“For a smooth transition I would definitely recommend providing in full any information of things they are currently doing at school especially if they have certain ways of doing things.”