We warmly welcome all of our new FS2 families to John Rankin Schools and are delighted that you have chosen us to begin your child's lifelong love of learning.

Below you will find information and key dates so that you and your child feel prepared when joining the John Rankin community in September.

Key Dates

When you attend these sessions, a member of the FS2 team will be at the gate directing you to your child’s new classroom.

How can I get my child ready for school?

There are many things that you can do with your child that make the transition into school easier for everyone. 

Below is a list of things that we would love your child to be able to do, or to have practised when they come into school:

• Dress themselves: girls should have a go at putting on and taking off tights if they are going to wear these to school.  Some parents choose to send their girls into school wearing socks on PE days.  Boys, have a go at using the zips on trousers!  
• Teach your children to put on their own coat.  
• Put on and take off their own shoes: this may mean that they need shoes with Velcro and not laces or buckles.  
• Go to the toilet independently: including wiping themselves and washing their hands. Every year we will have one child who happily sits on the toilet shouting for someone to come and help!  
• Earrings: if your child wears earrings, these have to be removed for PE lessons.  Your child must be able to remove their own earrings for PE but if they can’t, this must be done by parents before school.

We will, of course, never leave a child to do something themselves if they can’t and there will be children who have very specific needs. We will always encourage a child to have a go if we think it is appropriate and then support them in being successful.

Your child’s first day

Lots of children can become upset when parents leave them on those first important school days.

Children are all different, some will run in without looking back, some will have a few tears and some may become very distressed.  It is a new experience for them and for you and we understand this.

Children are at the heart of everything that they do. Therefore, if your child is distressed, we will not leave them crying, we will comfort them, and we will keep in contact with you.

Communication is key

If something has happened that day, their pet has gone to the vets, a parent is on a work trip, you didn’t have the best start to the day ….  let us know, we can support your child when we know that they need that little bit of extra help.