New Starters September 2024

Welcome to Locking Primary School

Congratulations on receiving your place and welcome to Locking Primary School family! We are so excited to meet you and your family and we cant wait to get started! We know that starting school is a huge milestone in your child's life and we will be with you every step of the way to make their transition to school a smooth, happy and successful one!

Coming soon to your front door... Look out for a special delivery for you and your little one during National offer week (from Wednesday 17th April 2024). We want every child to feel part of our school community right away, so a member of our team will be delivering a new school book bag, featuring our special squirrel logo, filled with lots of useful new starter information for you as well as a letter for your child.

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

We know how important it is for children (and their families) to get to know the school before the first day. The book bags that we deliver after National Offer Day have all the information that you need, including invitations to:

• Summer Fete

What better way to get to know the school than coming along to our school fete. With our infamous tombola, inflatables, BBQ and a chance to 'splat a teacher', it's a great day out. 

• New Parents' Information Evening

A short welcome from Mrs Simpson and Miss Ledbury, followed by a chance to see your child's classroom, meet the teachers and other parents, sample our school meals and walk around a number of stalls, each providing information on different parts of school life

• Stay and Play sessions 

A chance for your child to visit the school and have a short play in the classroom with their friends and some trusted adults. We find this takes the pressure off the 'first day' because children know what to expect and have had a positive experience of school. It is also a wonderful opportunity for parent/carers to have a cup of tea and cake and meet some of the other new parents in your child's class family.

• Home Visits (1:1 meetings)

At the very start of term, we allocate a couple of days to 1:1 meetings. This is a chance for you and your child to visit the school and meet the teachers and support staff in class. It's your chance to ask us any last questions that you may have and tell us all that you think we need to know about your child. Your child will have a chance to play with some of the adults that they will meet when they start.

• Part-time timetable

We recognise that children are often used to long days at pre-school and that adults often have work commitments but we also think it is vital that the start of school is positive and that no child feels overwhelmed. For the first week, we split classes into mornings/afternoons so that they get lots of adult interaction and positive opportunities to meet new friends. We then have a short period of classes coming in as a whole class for the morning and staying for lunch. Generally speaking, we have a few days of home visits or 1:1 meetings, a week of mornings/afternoons, a week of mornings plus lunch and then we are full-time. You way feel at the end of this induction that your child is still not quite ready. If this is the case, we can work with you to ensure your child feels comfortable and extend the induction, if necessary. 

Important Dates Coming Soon...

New Starter Welcome Meeting: Tuesday 21st May 2024 at 5.30pm

Stay and Play Sessions: Monday 24th June and Tuesday 25th June (sign up will be at the New Starter Welcome Meeting)

Locking Summer Fest: Friday 12th July 2024 (you will receive a free family ticket in your book bag this week)

September Home Visits: This will be given out at your stay and play session in term 6

September Part Time Hours: These will be given out at your stay and play session in term 6

KEY INFORMATION and USEFUL DOCUMENTS

Why Locking?

We know your little one is going to have such a special time here with us at Locking Primary School. Here are a few things that some of our current Reception children have to say about us and their learning journey so far...

"I love it when we learn on the carpet. I love writing letters and I love playing on the bikes.

The grown ups are kind and they give me hugs" Owen

"I love learning! We've had chicks in our class, I learnt that the brown one has stripes and runs fast." Maxi

"In the outside area you can climb on the climbing frame and I like playing superheroes with my friends. I love the teachers because they look after everybody." Ezra

"I love building with my friends. We have lego challenges." Connor

Here's what some of our current Reception parents say about their child's experiences so far... 

“The teachers take their time getting to know each child really well.

This shows that they really care and have time for them”

Locking School go above and beyond for all children. Our daughter settled in so well, her confidence has grown so much and she is very happy. The teachers are great listeners, nothing is a problem and they will help in any way they can."

"I can honestly say Locking School is such an amazing school. All the teachers take their time to listen."

"The teachers are keen to allow us to share in what they do in the classroom. My little one loves the weekly challenges and cant stop talking about what she does every day."

"The learning through play approach is perfect for this age group and I am so pleased my son has had access to this, as well as the amazing outside spaces. We are very pleased we chose Locking School."

and some hints and tips for when your little one starts school... 

"My tip for the first day is to talk about it lots with your little one. Be prepared for them to stride into class without taking a look back! Maybe put a tissue in your pocket, just in case you may need it!"