Introduction

We understand that you may be wondering how your child’s school will support pupil transition arrangements this year. This short guide provides answers to the most common questions we have been asked. Our guidelines are dynamic and are produced in collaboration with our partners in Health and Scottish Government. Every step is taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and staff in schools, so we continue to take a precautionary approach.

Key Messages

▪ Schools being open full-time is our priority so we will continue to take a precautionary approach

▪ In consultation with Health Protection we have planned for transition to be a virtual experience

▪ Children and young people with additional support for learning needs are being offered an enhanced transition experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will transition look like for my child starting in an Early Years Setting?

▪ Virtual transition plans will continue to be the core means of familiarisation

▪ Any physical visit must take place outdoors with measures in place to reduce risk

▪ Individual settings will communicate directly with parents/carer about start dates and arrangements for settling in

▪ Transition visits cannot take place if a positive case or outbreak is prevalent in the setting.

What support will be offered to my child as they transition to Primary 1?

▪ Virtual transition plans, including a range of activities, will continue as the main means of supporting the move to P1

▪ Schools will communicate directly with parents/carers about arrangements for the first week of school Wednesday 18th August

▪ Teachers will ensure that in August pupils will have a range of opportunities to get to know other pupils in the class, staff and their new surroundings

▪ The school will provide children with exceptional needs the opportunity to visit using an appropriate risk assessment

▪ Parents and carers are not able to attend transition events based in a school unless it is deemed essential to support a child with exceptional needs

▪ Transition visits cannot take place if a positive case or outbreak is prevalent in the setting or school.

My child is moving to another class with new pupils and a new teacher. How can we make sure they feel comfortable with this change?

▪ Meeting of a new teacher and/or pupils can happen outdoors in marked areas that maintain current pupil bubbles

▪ Where a new class is changing (mixing pupils) contact between different bubbles will be minimised (this includes Composite classes) so pupils will:

o meet outdoors

o stay within current bubble in marked area so the new class members can be gathered close by

o engage in virtual activities to build connections

▪ Teachers will ensure that in August pupils will have a range of opportunities to get to know other pupils in the class, staff and the new classroom.

What will transition look like for my child moving from P7 to High School

▪ Virtual transition plans, including a range of activities, will continue as the main means of supporting the move to High School

▪ Schools will communicate directly with parents/carers about arrangements for the first week of school Wednesday 18th August

▪ High Schools will ensure that in August new S1 pupils will have a range of opportunities to get to know other pupils, staff and their new surroundings

▪ Transition visits cannot take place if a positive case or outbreak is prevalent in the cluster

If my child receives an in-person visit as part of the enhanced transition, will it affect the virtual transition offer?

▪ No. The virtual transition activities will be the main delivery model.

We would encourage our Parents and Carers to contact their child’s current school if they are feeling unsure about arrangements for transition.