Parents of children joining school classes in the middle of a school session will have agreed a start date following consultation with the Head Teacher. A visit to the school will usually take place. Any transfer information, including school work, can be helpful in supporting your child’s continued education. Records from other Aberdeenshire schools are automatically transferred internally but when the school is outwith the Authority, the school will contact the child’s previous school to obtain the records.

Transitions (Moving On)

 We understand that transitions especially at Pre-School, P1 and S1 stages can be anxious times for parents and pupils.  At Fishermoss School we have arrangements in place to support transitions and these are outlined below.

Transfer to Ante-Pre School and Pre-School Nursery

In order to support and ease transition into Early Years Settings, we arrange a series of induction events/meetings/Come and Play Sessions for you and your child.  These events are planned to allow you and your child to become familiar with the Early Years setting, to meet staff, to meet with the other children and to find out about life in the Early Years and what you can do to support your child’s transition into the Early Years Setting.  A major part of this process involves parents sharing information about their children’s needs and you will be asked to complete a number of forms regarding e.g. your child’s specific needs.  Any other Early Years setting your child is joining us from may also provide transition information regarding your child’s needs and learning journey.

Delayed Entry to P1

Where parents have questions regarding their child’s entry to P1, they should discuss this with the nursery team in the first instance who will be able to offer support and guidance.  Parents may also wish to consider further discussion with the school Senior Leadership Team.

Transfer to Primary 1

To support and ease transition into P1, we arrange a series of induction events/meetings for you and your child.  These events are planned to allow you and your child to become familiar with the school building, to meet staff, to meet with the other children and to find out about life in school and what you can do to support your child’s transition into P1.  The Induction process starts in your child’s pre-school year, with the school beginning to get to know your child.

Induction meetings are arranged for parents around May in order to share information about starting school and how you can help your child at home.  This is also an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and to ask any questions or share any information.  At these induction meetings, parents are issued with a range of materials designed to support children’s learning at home.

Our prospective P1s also have the opportunity to come to school for a series of induction sessions around May/June.  This allows the children to begin to get to know their classmates and their teachers as well as familiarising themselves with the school and routines.

A Primary 1 Curricular Event is also arranged for parents early in Term 1.  Information communicating details of P1 induction arrangements along with dates will be communicated directly to Prospective P1 parents around April/May.

Transfer to S1

During Primary 7, to support transition to Secondary Education, pupils have many opportunities to join with P7 pupils from the other Portlethen Community Schools Network.  Transition projects, sports festivals and other activities are arranged for P7 pupils to get together.  Information about P7 pupils is shared with guidance staff at the academy to help support appropriate continuity of education.  P7 pupils spend 3 days at Portlethen Academy towards the end of the summer term.  Further information is communicated to parents about the induction calendar for secondary school early in Term 3.  Parents also can visit Portlethen Academy where information will be shared and questions can be asked.

Structures are in place to support transition between stages.

Visit Parentzone for more information about transitions:

 https://education.gov.scot/parentzone/my-child/transitions

1     Admissions

 Nursery Admissions.

Early in each calendar year, all parents/carers should complete an application form available on the ‘Nurseries and childcare’ pages of the Aberdeenshire website. The application form can be found here:

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions/elc

Primary Admissions

New entrants to P1 are enrolled early in the calendar year for entry to school in August. This is for children who will be five on or before the school start date in August. Those that have their fifth birthday between the August start date each year and the end of February the following year, may also be admitted. Go to:

http://aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/information/primary-school-registration/

To view the school catchment area for your address, go to:

https://aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info/admissions/school-zones/

2     Placing requests & School Zones

For all advice and information on placing requests and guidance on school catchment/zones go to:

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info/admissions/

Your child would normally attend a school within the school catchment area (zone) close to where you live.  However, you can request that your child attends a school in another zone (out of zone).  Please follow the links for more info:

Out Of Zone Placing Request Policy & Procedures