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. West Berkshire Council's deadline is 17 March, and Reading Borough Council's deadline is 14 March.

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 admissions form. We have launched a new online admissions portal this year, which will make the process easier and quicker, allowing us to concentrate on giving the child in your care the best start to their secondary school journey. You will receive an email, in addition to the welcome email, with a link to the 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 has been provisionally scheduled for 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, 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 there will be signs telling you where the collection point is 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 the Key Stage 3 Secretary, Mrs Baker, at transition@littleheath.org.uk.

Information for Parents/Carers

'Meet the Tutor' Information Evening

On Monday 8 July 2024 (provisional date), 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, Mrs Parson, 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.

Virtual 'Coffee Mornings'

We usually hold virtual 'Coffee Mornings' on Teams during June/July. This is an optional opportunity to speak to members of the Key Stage 3 team and ask any questions you may have in an informal, online chat. 

Dates will be released in due course.

Information Booklet

Each parent/carer and student will receive an electronic handbook. This booklet, alongside the school 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. The handbooks for the 2022/23 academic year are available here:

If you, or your child, have any questions in the meantime, please email transition@littleheath.org.uk.

Transition Map Video

We have put together a short video including some of the people that we feel are important to know before joining us. In the video, you will see them going into detail about who they are, what they do and where to find them!

What you need to do before September

Term starts on Thursday 5 September 2024. Here's a quick run through of what you will need to prepare in advance of your child's start date:

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 1 November 2023

Follow us on our socials for the latest information @LHSReading