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Our Linked Junior School

Everything we do at Merry Hill Infant School is geared towards ensuring our children are ready for the next steps in their school career.

The majority of our pupils leave us to go to our linked junior school, Ashfield Junior. The two Headteachers, Ms Adams and Mr Dourado, meet regularly; we arrange visits between the two schools in the Spring and Summer terms and a Buddy system is set up so that the children have some familiarity with Ashfield staff and children before they move up in September.  We put a lot of effort into ensuring that the transition to junior school is as smooth and anxiety-free as possible.

Junior Admissions

It should be noted that an application must be made to Hertfordshire County Council for a place at junior school, whether Ashfield Junior or another school.  Information about Under 11s admissions can be found on the Herts Direct website or in the attached Guidance Notes. Please note that the deadline for applications for September 2023 admissions is 15th January 2023.

Year 2 / Year 3 Transition

Time of Year Transition Activity
Christmas Term Ashfield Junior admissions: Prospective parents shown around the school by Year 6 guides; Headteacher available by request.

Year 2 see Year 3 Christmas show and Year 3 see Nursery and Reception performance.

Spring Term Year 3 see the Year 1 show.
Summer Term Ashfield notifies all Year 2 parents and carers of transition arrangements by letter and invites them to Ashfield’s Open Evening in July.

Ashfield Headteacher is available by request to discuss individual children’s needs.

Summer Term Senior Year 3 teacher and maths consultant meet with Year 2 teacher to perform moderation / assessment in numeracy.
Summer Term Year 3 teachers with Year 2 teachers to discuss children.

The Ashfield Inclusion co-ordinator and the Merry Hill SENCo meet to discuss the needs of the Year 2 children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Summer Term Year 2 visit Ashfield to meet their Year 3 buddies and take home their ‘buddy book’. Children who would benefit from additional visits are provided with further opportunities to meet Ashfield staff to familiarise them with the school.
Summer Term The Ashfield Association (ASHA) Summer Event – Year 2 Merry Hill parents, carers and children are invited. (This is an informal event organised by ASHA and Ashfield staff do not attend.)
Summer Term Ashfield Open Evening – Year 2 Merry Hill parents, carers and children are invited from 5:30pm to meet their new teachers and to visit their new classrooms.
Summer Term Year 3 watch Year 2 Leavers’ Show.
End of Summer term Year 2 Maths and English books are sent from Merry Hill to Ashfield.
September Merry Hill Headteacher provides Ashfield with the children’s personal development files.

Ashfield Parents’ Evening – Year 3 parents and carers invited into school for a brief induction talk and a chance to catch up with the teacher.