Starting primary school

• Every parent must apply for a place at primary school, even if it is attached to your child’s current pre-school or nursery
• Application opening dates vary, so please contact your local authority to find out when applications open in your area
• The application deadline for all primary school places is 15 January each year
• Your local authority will confirm your child’s primary school place on or around 16 April

For more information on applying for primary school places go to www.gov.uk/apply-for-primary-school-place.

• Will the teaching staff carry out a home visit?
• How many transition sessions will there be?
• How long will each session last?
• Can I join my child on these visits?
• Will my child have the chance to meet key staff members who will be working with them?
• Will my child meet some of their new peers?
• Will my child have a ‘staggered’ start or will they be expected to complete a full school day immediately?

You may also want to discuss:

• Pre-visits - Is it possible to arrange visits before or after the school day so my child can explore the school when it is quiet?
• Habilitation - Can my child to work with a habilitation specialist to learn how to get around the new school.
• Observation visits - Will staff from the new school visit my child’s preschool so they can see how my child behaves and learns a familiar environment?
• Communication – How will I communicate with my child’s teacher/support staff/specialists on a day-to-day basis? For example, through a home/school journal

These may include:

• Where do I hang my coat?
• Where do I put my lunchbox/bookbag?
• Where is my seat in class?
• Where are the toilets?

• What kind of day-to-day support will my child receive from the school?
• Will there be any additional support from external professionals, such as a QTVI or habilitation specialist?
• What kind of support is available at playtime and lunchtimes?
• Will my child receive support under the ‘Graduated Approach’ or will my child need an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?
• How will we help my child become an independent learner?
• How can we make sure my child can take part in outdoor play and learning?

• Will my child be able to read standard materials?
• Will my child need to use large print materials?
• Does my child need to be introduced to pre-Braille skills?
• If my child is going to learn Braille, who will teach it to them?
• How many hours of support will my child receive from a QTVI and/or a specialist teaching assistant?
• What will the frequency of these visits be?
• For will the purpose of these visits be?
• Will there be a quieter area where my child can practise their Braille, tactile and/or auditory skills?
• Will my child be able to access the classroom and school independently? For example, Braille or tactile labels on drawers and coat pegs, or a tactile timetable

• Can the QTVI offer training for staff before my child starts?
• Can I and/or my child’s pre-school or nursery workers offer any advice to the school?
• Are there any information leaflets about my child’s eye condition available?
• Can the QTVI provide a recent report to the new school?
• How will work be adapted and modified so my child can access it?
• Can any peer awareness training be provided to other pupils? Such as during an assembly, as part of PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Emotional) or C4L (Curriculum for Life) education
• Are there any other specialist organisations that can offer information, advice and guidance to the setting?

• Can an ‘Environmental Audit’ be carried out by the QTVI to highlight any potential hazards?
• How will my child be supported on school visits to unfamiliar places?

• Who will provide and maintain these resources?
• Can we use these resources both at home and at school?
• Will my child need large print or Braille reading books?
• Are there any local or national charities who may provide specialist equipment on loan?
• What technology is available at the school?

• Putting on and taking off their own coat
• Putting on and taking off their own shoes
• Going to the toilet on their own
• Washing their own hands
• Using a knife, fork and spoon
• Using a tissue to wipe their nose
• Getting dressed and undressed for P.E.
• Opening and closing their lunchbox
• Carrying their own book bag

You can also help your child get used to the school setting by: 

• Having a consistent morning and bedtime routine
• Reading stories about starting school
• Sharing photographs of the school and key people (if appropriate for your child’s level of vision)
• Introducing tactile objects which may be new to them, such as a book bag, carton of milk or water bottle
• Practising the walk, car or bus journey to school so they can become familiar with key landmarks and new sounds on the route