Transition to LHS
Information for prospective Year 7 students, parents and carers
The transition between primary and secondary school is an incredibly important time for families, and we hope we can help to answer some of the questions that might arise over before you join us in September.
If you have any further questions, please send them over to transition@littleheath.org.uk
What to expect...
Your Local Authority (LA) is responsible for the Secondary School application process which closes on 31 October each year. Places are allocated on 1 March and the LA will contact you in the first instance to let you know the place you have been given. If you have received notification for a place at Little Heath School this September, welcome! Please ensure you confirm your place with the LA. Both West Berkshire Council and Reading Borough Council's deadline is 15 March 2024.
For more information on the secondary school application process, please view the LA application pages below:
West Berkshire Council - Secondary School Admissions
Reading Borough Council - Secondary School Admissions
Admissions Process
Once we have received your details from your LA, you will receive a welcome email from us with details of the next steps and how to complete the online admissions form. You will receive an email, in addition to the welcome email, with a link to the admissions portal and your temporary login information.
We suggest you take a look at our user guide document in advance of starting the admissions form online. This should hopefully answer any queries you may have with the portal or the process. The guide and FAQs document can be downloaded by clicking on the button below.
*You will need your login details to be able to access the portal. Please wait for these to be emailed to you, and don't forget to check your junk folder!
The online admissions portal allows you to:
- Provide important and useful information about the child in your care;
- Biometric consent for the cashless catering system;
- Video and photographic consent; and
- To read and agree to the Home School Agreement.
Please complete your online admissions form by 31 March 2024.
Primary School Contact
We work closely with all the local Primary Schools to ensure that our KS3 team can make contact with the school staff to make the transition to Little Heath as smooth as possible. We will arrange to visit each school and meet with the students, and their teachers. All the information provided by students, their families and school staff, enable us to give you the best start at Little Heath.
Primary School visits will start in April for students with additional needs, and around May/June for all other students.
Transition Day 2024
All new Year 7 students will be invited to spend a day in school with us for 'Transition Day' which will take place on Monday 8 July 2024. They will meet their Form Tutor, and get to know the students in their form. They will be introduced to the KS3 Team and their Head of Year, Mrs Apsey, as well as other key members of staff who will be there to help and support them through their transition to Little Heath School.
They will take part in some fun 'getting to know you' activities throughout the day, and will have an opportunity to have a tour of the school and familiarise themselves with the site before starting in September.
Please arrive at from 9am to start at 9.15am. If you decide to drive and drop your child off, please park outside school and walk them to the main reception where you will be met by members of the Key Stage 3 team.
Students should wear their current school uniform, bring a pair of trainers in their bag and a packed lunch. They need to bring a refillable water bottle and their pencil case, including at least a pen, pencil, ruler and eraser. A notebook might be useful too! A sun hat and sun screen may be required as some activities will take place outside. Equally if it is colder please bring a coat!
Please collect your child at 3.00pm from the same location. When you arrive to collect them, you will be directed to the collection point for each primary school. This makes it clearer for us when signing the students out. If you wish your child to walk home, please inform us in advance by emailing us at transition@littleheath.org.uk.
Information for Parents/Carers
'Meet the Tutor' Information Evening
On Monday 8 July 2024, parents and carers will be invited into school for a Parents and Carers information evening which will provide an opportunity to hear from members of the KS3 Team, the Head of Year 7, and to meet the Form Tutor allocated to the child in your care.
There will be opportunities to ask the KS3 Team and the Form Tutor any questions, as well as a chance to purchase stationery packs and calculators, as well as second-hand uniform. We are able to take cash or card for any purchases on the night.
Please be aware that this evening event is only for parents and carers.
Due to the large numbers of parents we expect for this meeting, we will be running two separate sessions, one starting at 5pm and one at 6.30pm. You will be emailed with which one to attend.
Information Booklet
Each parent/carer and student will receive an electronic handbook. This booklet, alongside the transition page and the FAQs page on our website, will prove a handy reference for everything you need to know about starting at Little Heath; from what to do if your child is unwell or has a medical appointment, to what support is available in school, and what initial equipment and uniform is required.
The handbooks will be emailed electronically but are also available to download via the links below:
If you, or your child, have any questions in the meantime, please email transition@littleheath.org.uk.
Transition Map Video
Please take some time to watch this video with your child before joining us in September:
What you need to do before September
Term starts on Thursday 5 September 2024 (Y7 and Y12 only). Here's a quick run through of what you will need to prepare in advance of your child's start date:
Uniform
Uniform can be purchased from the retailers below. However, good quality, second-hand uniforms are often readily available online. We will also have a selection of second-hand items available for a minimal 'suggested donation' during the 'Parents and Carers Information Evening' in July 2024.
More information on our uniform policy can be found here.
Join the Facebook group
'Little Heath Good As New Uniform'
for lots of second hand good quality items
Equipment
Stationery packs, art packs and calculators will be available to purchase at the 'Parents and Carers Information Evening' in July 2024.
Students will require the following basic stationery:
- Pencils
- Black pen
- Glue stick *NEW for Sept 2024*
- Ruler
- Rubber
- Colouring pencils
- Pencil sharpener
- Calculator - we recommend the Casio fx-85GT CW (solar)
- Protractor
- Compass
You may also like to have:
- Coloured pens
- Highlighters
From September 2024, students will also need to ensure they have a reusable water bottle with them each day.
In an effort to reduce litter on the school site and as a commitment to being more sustainable, students are discouraged from buying bottled water or reusing disposable plastic bottles. We request they purchase reusable bottles that can be refilled at school at one of our water refill stations.
We are now stocking black stainless steel, thermal sports bottles for £3.50 each. They feature double-walled insulation, a secure screw-on lid with a handle, a keyring carabiner and a convenient flip reusable straw.
All the listed equipment, and more, can be purchased (cash only) from our on site student stationery shop in the Resources Department (3rd Floor, A Block), and some items may also be purchased via ParentMail.
The following items will also be available for sale on the Transition evening in July 2024. You will be able to purchase using cash or card on the night:
Basic Stationery pack = £3.50*
- 2x Black pens
- 2x Blue pens
- 2x Purple pens
- 2x Pencils
- Glue stick
- Rubber
- Metal Sharpener
- 15cm Clear Ruler
- 2x Highlighters
- Colouring pencils
- Pencil Case
Reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottle = £3.50*
Water Calculator (Casio fx-85GT CW (solar)) = £10*
A6 notebook = £1.30*
Art equipment
Art materials are provided in school for lessons. However, if you would like to bring your own equipment, we suggest the following:
- Good quality colouring pencils
- Sketching pencils – including 2b hb 3b
- White eraser
- Good quality pencil sharpener
We have a pack of good quality art materials available at a cost of £12*
The packs contain the following:
- Spectrum colour x 12 colouring pencils
- Derwent Sketching pencils x 6
- White eraser
- Metal sharpener
- Wallet
*Prices may be subject to change
Transport to School
Please be aware that Little Heath Road can be extremely busy during drop off and collection times. If you choose to come to school by car, please arrange to drop off and collect somewhere away from the school gates. This also helps to reduce pollution near the school site.
Cycling to school
Students will now require a Bicycle Licence to bring their bicycle to school.
For more information, visit our Transport to School page.
Arriving by bus
Reading Buses provide a dedicated bus service for Little Heath School.
Full details of routes and prices can be found here.
Read through our Information Handbooks
Information booklets will be sent to you by email, and can also be downloaded here.
Transition Booklet
When your child joins us on Transition Day, they will be given a copy of this booklet. They will need to work through it and bring it in on their first day in September. An online version can be download here.
Getting to know LHS
Students will be given a tour of the school on 'Transition Day', and they will receive a map on their first day in September. In the meantime, please find an overall site map, and a floor plan of A block:
We are really looking forward to welcoming you all to the Little Heath family and would like to thank you in advance for your support and contribution.
The Key Stage 3 Team
transition@littleheath.org.uk
Updated 22 May 2024
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