Transition to the Main School

We see life at St Ives Nursery as just the beginning of your child’s St Ives journey.

The vast majority of children in The Nursery move into the main school for Reception and beyond.  At the beginning of the Pre-Reception year (when the children are called Ducks), all Nursery parents are invited to a meeting with our Headteacher, Nursery Manager and our Pre-Prep staff to find out about life in the main school.  

For the children, we introduce Reception Readiness Sessions during the Summer Term where children spend one morning a week in the Reception class.  This also applies to any external children registered to join us the following September, so that all of the children become familiar with each other and life in Reception.  This makes the transition to ‘big school’ as smooth and seamless as possible.  

Why Choose St Ives for Your Child’s Next Steps?

At St Ives, we understand that choosing the right primary school is one of the most important decisions for your child’s future.  If your child has already experienced the joy and enrichment of St Ives Nursery, then continuing their educational journey with us offers countless benefits.  Here’s why St Ives is the natural next step for your family:

• A Seamless Transition
  By moving from the Nursery into the main school, your child enters an environment they already know and feel comfortable in.  Familiar surroundings, routines and faces make the transition to Reception class smoother and less stressful for your child and you
• Strong Parent-School Partnerships
  We value the relationships we build with our Nursery families and are committed to continuing this partnership as your child progresses through the school.  Open communication, regular updates and parent engagement are central to our approach, ensuring you remain an integral part of your child’s educational journey
• A Place Where Your Child Will Continue to Thrive and Be Happy
  St Ives has a fantastic reputation for outstanding pastoral care where the children are extremely happy.  As a small school, none of our children are overlooked and all have countless opportunities to shine in all areas of school life, be that on the sports pitches, in one of our choirs, in a school production or in the Art department.  Every child will be encouraged to find a passion and talent which we will help them nurture.  This, in turn, will give them the confidence to take the next step to secondary school and beyond.  
• An Outstanding Academic Environment
  St Ives has strong academic standards, due to our brilliant, specialist teaching.  In Reception to Year 2, the children are taught by specialists in French, Music, PE and Forest School.  From Year 2 upwards, they are also introduced to Spanish and in Year 3, they are taught by specialist teachers in all subjects.  We have an outstanding track record of pupils gaining places to their first choice of senior school, many with scholarships in a wide variety of disciplines.
• A Strong Sense of Community
  Your family is already part of St Ives.  By staying with us, you strengthen those bonds, allowing your child to grow alongside the friends they’ve made in Nursery.  They’ll also continue to enjoy familiar school events, celebrations and traditions that makes St Ives so special.  

To find out more about life in the main school, have a private tour or meet Mrs Goldsworthy, please call Mrs Hayley Dibb on 01428 643734 or email her at registrar@stiveshaslemere.com