Transition
SOFT LANDINGS
A thoughtful welcome for pupils joining Longlands during the school year
Soft Landings
A warm, carefully planned welcome for children joining Longlands during the school year
Joining a new school at any point can be a significant change for a child and their family. There are new people to meet, new friendships to make and new routines, expectations and ways of learning to understand.
At Longlands Primary School, we want every child who joins us to feel that they belong from the very beginning.
That is why we use our Soft Landings approach for pupils who join Longlands during the school year, whatever year group they are joining. Our aim is simple: to help children settle successfully into school life while ensuring there is no unnecessary interruption to their learning.
What is Soft Landings?
Soft Landings is a structured, personalised introduction to Longlands. It combines a warm welcome, opportunities to build relationships, careful assessment of learning and regular pastoral check-ins. It is not a one-size-fits-all programme. The support is adapted to the child’s age, previous experiences, strengths and individual needs.
1
FAMILIARISE
Meet people and explore the school
2
CONNECT
Build trusted relationships
3
UNDERSTAND
Identify strengths and starting points
4
BELONG
Develop friendships and confidence
Before your child starts
Where possible, families are welcomed into school before the child’s first day. A visit gives the child and family the opportunity to tour the school, meet the class teacher and other adults, see the classroom and begin to understand the school environment and routines.
The timing and structure of this introduction can be adapted to the needs of the child. We want each pupil to arrive knowing that familiar adults are ready to welcome and support them.
Getting to know the whole child
Every child arrives at Longlands with different experiences, interests, strengths and needs. We take time to listen and understand, rather than expecting a child simply to fit immediately into an unfamiliar school.
ALL ABOUT ME
Interests, strengths, important people and what the child wants us to know.
FEELING SECURE
What helps the child manage change and which adults can offer support.
FRIENDSHIPS
How relationships are developing and whether a buddy or supported activity may help.
PUPIL VOICE
What is going well, what feels difficult and what would make school feel even better.
Understanding your child’s learning
Moving school should not mean starting learning again. As part of Soft Landings, staff establish the pupil’s starting points in reading, writing, mathematics and spelling or phonics using age-appropriate approaches.
This helps the class teacher understand what the child already knows and can do, where curriculum experiences may have differed and what the child needs to learn next. Activities are explained sensitively and completed in a supportive way so that the child understands their purpose and can feel comfortable.
READING / PHONICS
Individual assessment with time to talk and build trust.
WRITING
An age-appropriate task considered against expectations.
MATHEMATICS
A suitable assessment to identify secure knowledge and next steps.
SPELLING
An age- and stage-appropriate check, using phonics for younger pupils.
Belonging and friendship
Settling into school is about far more than academic learning. Adults check how friendships are forming and create opportunities for relaxed conversation and shared activities. Where needed, staff can help a pupil connect with classmates and identify a suitable buddy.
Working in partnership with families
Parents and carers know their children best. A successful transition therefore depends on a positive, open relationship between home and school. We encourage families to share anything that will help us understand and support their child, including interests, strengths, previous school experiences, communication needs, medical information, SEND and what helps when situations are new or unfamiliar.
How Soft Landings benefits everyone
FOR CHILDREN
Familiar people and routines; a chance to be heard; supported friendships; learning matched to starting points.
FOR FAMILIES
A clear welcome; opportunities to share important information; reassurance that settling and learning are being monitored.
FOR STAFF
A rounded understanding of the pupil; reliable starting points; shared information; early identification of support.
Every child, every transition
Some children settle very quickly. Others need more time and support to become familiar with new people, new friendships and a different school environment. Soft Landings is deliberately personal. We notice what is working well, identify what may be getting in the way and make sure the right adults understand how to help.
Our Soft Landings programme at a glance
The child’s Soft Landings booklet brings pastoral conversations, academic starting points and pupil voice together. The precise sequence and activities are adapted to age and need.
What families can expect
- A warm introduction to people, places and routines.
- Planned opportunities for the child to talk and be listened to.
- Sensitive, age-appropriate checks of learning.
- Support with relationships, friendship and belonging.
- Information shared with the staff who support the child.
- Pupil voice and communication with parents and carers.
If your child is joining Longlands during the school year, please share any information that will help us plan the most successful start. Together, we can make the transition calm, positive and purposeful.
Transition
