Joining Bitterne CE: Transition and New Starters

A happy start matters.

At Bitterne CE Primary School, we know that starting a new school is a big step for children and their families. Whether your child is beginning their school journey with us in Reception, joining us part-way through primary school or preparing to leave us for secondary school, we work hard to make transition positive, welcoming and well supported.

Our aim is simple: for every child to feel that they belong at Bitterne as quickly as possible.

Starting School in Reception

Starting Reception is an exciting milestone. We want children to arrive in September already beginning to recognise the adults, spaces and routines that will become part of their everyday school life.

Once your child's place at Bitterne has been confirmed, we begin building that relationship with your family. Parents are set up on our school communication system so that we can start sharing information about school life and help you prepare for September.

Our Reception transition programme includes:

• Stay and Play sessions for children and parents to explore the Reception environment together and meet the team.
• Child-only visits, helping children build confidence being at school independently before September.
• Parent information sessions, giving you practical information about starting school and the opportunity to ask questions.
• Home visits, helping us to get to know your child and family and giving you an opportunity to share information with us in a familiar environment.
• Parents in School sessions, where you can spend time in our Reception environment and find out more about how children learn through our Early Years curriculum.
• A quick, staggered start in September, supporting children to settle successfully while getting them into their normal school routine as soon as possible. We aim for children to be attending full time by the end of the first full week.

Throughout transition, we encourage families to tell us about their child - their interests, strengths, experiences and anything that might help them feel happy and secure at school. This helps our Reception team begin getting to know each child before their first day.

Together, we make the move from home, nursery or pre-school into Reception feel like the next exciting step rather than a leap into the unknown.

Joining Bitterne During the School Year

Children join Bitterne CE throughout the academic year and at different stages of their primary education. Whenever they arrive, we want them to receive the same thing: a warm Bitterne welcome.

We welcome families to visit before making a decision or before their child starts. Come and see the school in action, meet members of our team and get a feel for everyday life at Bitterne. Tours can be led by staff and, where appropriate, by our children too - they are our best ambassadors!

When a child joins us:

• their teacher uses information from their previous school, where available, to understand their learning and appropriate starting points;
• we take time to get to know the child as an individual;
• they are introduced carefully to their new class, routines and key adults; and
• they are given a buddy to help them find their way around, make connections and settle into school life.

Moving from Infant to Junior School?

Bitterne CE is a primary school for children from Reception to Year 6. Families whose children currently attend an infant school may wish to consider joining us when their child moves into Year 3.

We warmly welcome families who are considering Bitterne for their child's Key Stage 2 education to visit us, meet the team and see learning taking place across the school.

Moving from Year 6 to Secondary School

Leaving primary school is another important milestone, and we want our Year 6 children to leave Bitterne feeling confident and ready for what comes next.

Our children move on to a range of secondary schools. Many transfer to Oasis Academy Sholing or Bitterne Park School, while others move to schools including Woodlands Community College and St Anne's Catholic School, as well as other schools across Southampton and beyond.

We work with receiving secondary schools to support a smooth transition. This can include secondary school staff visiting children at Bitterne before their transition visits, liaison between school staff and the sharing of relevant information.

At Bitterne, children also complete transition work designed to help them understand what secondary school will be like, talk through any worries or questions and develop strategies for managing the changes ahead.

Where only one or a small number of our children are moving to a particular secondary school, they receive the same support. We liaise with their new school wherever possible so that every child is supported in making their next step successfully.

Come and Meet Us

The best way to get to know Bitterne is to come and see us.

We welcome visits from families considering joining the school, whether your child is due to start Reception or you are considering a move during their primary education.

Come and see the school in action, meet our staff, talk to our children and discover what being part of the Bitterne community is really like.

Please contact the school office to arrange a visit.

Applying for a Place

Applications for school places are made through your home local authority. Families living within Southampton can apply through Southampton City Council's school admissions service.

Apply for a school place – Southampton City Council Citizen Portal

The portal is used for applications for school places for children living within the Southampton City Council boundary.

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Bitterne CE Primary School.