Arc School Napton is an independent specialist primary school based in a small village in Warwickshire, registered for children between the ages of 5 to 11. Children come to the school because the environment they provide benefits children whose specific educational and social, and or emotional needs cannot be met in mainstream environments.

Many of those young people have been out of education for some time and feel highly anxious about attending a school placement again.  Arc School are highly experienced in alleviating such anxieties and recognises that those first experiences back in a learning environment are so important to get right in order to reignite a passion for education.

The team at Arc School Napton are also fully aware of how important family liaison is as often families have had to support their child out of full time education and share the anxieties of their child transitioning back into school full time.  Arc School Napton take pride in planning a successful and tailored transition plan, involving everyone – and most importantly including the child themselves. This is done for all new starters to the school.

The school team look at schooling history and will take everything into account when drawing up a bespoke timetable which will best meet the child’s needs. They put the young person and their family at the heart of the process and provide a highly responsive and personalised induction period that is collaborative, supportive and adaptable.  Staff are highly trained in pastoral and educational support and work together to ensure all needs are met and that the young person experiences a successful and positive welcome to school life and the community at Arc Napton.

Some young people who come to the school will have a few transition sessions into school and then feel comfortable to attend full time. For others the process can appear very different. This isn’t an issue for the school as they are highly experienced in devising plans that specifically match individual need and circumstances. 

Transitions may be as short as one hour settling in visits initially, building up to attending more frequently. Or a young person may attend for a few hours each day for a week or two, and from there build up to full time attendance.  The aim always is to ensure the young person doesn’t feel rushed or uncomfortable in any way and that the experience remains positive. The pace of transition has to be right for everyone, and the school know that getting the early days right will lead to a happy and successful placement at the school. 

The compassion and care they show to each family and child has become more important and evident during the recent pandemic where offering the right level of support back into school life has been crucial for so many.  

Here’s some wonderful feedback from a parent – “After 3 years of being on a reduced timetable, it was hard to envisage my child ever being able to complete a full day at school. However thanks to the support, kindness and care from his teachers, he has successfully done this in his first term at Napton. He is growing in confidence and is now genuinely happy to go to school, we are very grateful."