Starting School at St. Peter’s CE Primary Academy: What to Expect

We’re delighted to welcome you and your child to St. Peter’s CE Primary Academy! Starting school is an exciting milestone, and we’re here to ensure the transition is smooth, supportive, and full of joy. 

We know from experience that children feel a range of emotions when confronted with the prospect of starting school. The programme we have planned (see below) has been designed to support their transition and to allay any anxieties and fears that your child may have. We promise that we will make the transition as smooth as possible for our new children. Here's a summary of what you can expect in the lead-up to your child joining us in Reception:

Parents’ Information Briefing - We would like to invite you to an information briefing on Thursday 19th June from 6.00pm – 7.30pm. This will be an opportunity for you to meet myself and the EYFS team. It will be a relaxed but informative event in our school hall which will give you an insight into St Peter’s and provide you with a chance to ask any questions you may still have. This is when you will pick up your information pack and new starter forms. Additionally, you will be taken on a tour of the site, including the EYFS classrooms. We ask you please to confirm your attendance to our school office on office@stpeters.dsat.org.uk. If you are unable to attend or would prefer not to, the PowerPoint presentation from the evening will be made available on our website. Please enter the school via the gates on Xanten Way (i.e. next to the playground) or directly through the gates next to our EYFS classrooms (which are easily found by walking through the car park and past the hall). Parking on the school car park is prohibited.

Stay and Play – We would like to invite our new Reception children in on 26th June for a Stay and Play session. Children and parents will be able to spend 45 minutes in the classroom enjoying the environment and helping the children to feel settled ready for their first full day in September. We will be running 2 sessions: 12:45 – 1:30pm and another at 1:45 – 2.30pm. Please email your preferred time to our office on office@stpeters.dsat.org.uk.

Leave and Play – Children are invited to spend 45 minutes in the classroom without parents. You should arrive at the gates to our reception classrooms (at the bottom of our car park) at 12.45pm on Thursday 17th July. Children can then be picked up at 1.30pm and a waiting area in the hall will be provided. During this time, you will be hosted by our Family Liaison Officer, Beth Evans, who is always available to support parents and on this occasion, will be running a ‘new-to-you’ uniform sale. It is also an opportunity to ask questions of school staff, have a cup of tea and meet one another!

Home Visits – All families will be offered a home visit. These will be conducted by our teachers during July and sign-up sheets will be available at all of the above events.

We can’t wait to begin this journey with you. If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone from the team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Welcome to St. Peter’s!

Mr Martindale (Executive Headteacher) and Mrs Morris (Head of School)