Easing transition to a new school - The Jewish Chronicle

As we rapidly approach the end of a rollercoaster of an academic year, parents will be starting to think about what happens in September. Whether your child is moving from nursery to reception, or from year six to year seven, the transition will be very different to years gone by.

Adapting to a new environment, for most parents and their children, is a big step. The uncertainty of new and changing guidelines in the face of covid-19 are adding to existing anxieties.

For most children, moving on in their education would have meant school visits and sessions in schools to get to know their new teachers and to become familiar with their new environment. The arrival of covid-19 has meant that we need to look at different opportunities, which can, although in different forms, still help to ensure our children settle as smoothly as possible for the new start of term in September.

Thanks to modern technology, schools can offer a great deal of reassurance to parents and children. It is important they understand that their school will be able to support them during this difficult time. In some settings it may be possible for schools to set up video calling, to take the place of “meet-the-teacher” meetings or onsite visits that would have taken place in the coming weeks. These meetings are a useful tool, where important information can be exchanged between school and parents.