Preparing for departure

When schools have adequate notification of a forthcoming move, they can assist the student with preparation. When surveyed, SCE schools reported various means of supporting this:

• Leaving School booklet, produced with teaching assistant, includes details/photo of school, of the learner, samples of work for new school;
• Moving to a New School booklet for children to complete;
• TA and child research new school on Internet;
• Presenting the leaver with disposable camera to photograph friends, staff, school building, etc for their new school;
• Children leaving have their names placed on 'Leavers' Board' in school;
• Teachers may discuss the forthcoming move with the child leaving, encouraging the child to share the news with the class; this supports further discussion about the new location. Perhaps other children have been there and can share what there is to look forward to?
• Staff may work with departing students to prepare an e-portfolio of their achievements at the school.

SCE schools encourage leaving parents and students to speak to the headteacher; this provides an opportunity for wishing the family well and asking them to stay in contact. Many SCE schools encourage leavers to keep in touch via the school web-site. In other schools admin staff encourage phone calls from parents once in their new home and school and all encourage soon-to-be ex-pupils to pop-in if visiting in the area. One school gives each leaving child a postcard and a stamp in order to be able to write back to the class. Another incorporates leaving students into the curriculum as distant e-mail partners for the school.

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