Part of the referral admissions process will look closely at the transition needs for anyone joining us at Rossendale. Our in-house team develops individually tailored transitions for young people moving into Rossendale School, which are always built around the pupil’s needs.
Transition planning at Rossendale School is highly personalised. If a young person is not able to access the classroom full time to begin with, we have a bespoke package overseen by our SENCo which offers time in our school hub as required. This level of transition will also include a personalised intervention programme, in addition to SALT and Sensory OT Assessments. This level of transition is reviewed regularly by the SENCo and with the Local Authority and parents after the first term to look at suitable next steps.
Intermediary transitions
As pupils move towards the end of a key stage, preparation is done to support their transition to the next key stage. For example:
- Moving from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3
- Moving from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4
- Moving from Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5 (either leaving the school or moving to our sixth form provision)
This process involves the whole staff team.
At the end of Year 9, Key Stage 3 pupils will also have an individual transition review, as well as individual options sessions, to which parents/carers are invited.
Rossendale School’s options programme aims to help Year 9 pupils make an informed choice about what they want to study in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) and can include GCSE, BTEC, functional skills, D of E etc.
Transitions out of Rossendale School
Where a young person is starting their Post-16 career away from Rossendale School, we do our best to ensure the young person will receive the maximum support in their new Further Education setting. We have a number of established links with local colleges and the Young People’s Service, which actively help us to ensure a positive start to a young person’s 16+ career, wherever that may be.
An integrated approach to transitions
Regardless of whether a young person is transitioning into the school, between Key Stages, or leaving us, we will always ensure that all interested parties are involved in discussions. This helps to ensure that the decisions made are based on a full understanding of the young person’s situation and needs. Transitions are usually planned in consultation with:
- The young person themselves
- Rossendale School staff
- The young person’s family
- Previous/future settings
- Any other multi-agency staff that work with the young person
Ongoing reviews
The Statutory Review process at Rossendale School means we evaluate whether an individual’s placement at the school is still appropriate, at regular intervals. Given the importance of these decisions, the school always consults and seeks opinions from the full range of people who would usually be involved in the review process.