Torquay school leads £25,000 partnership to help children transition into school

Children at a Torquay primary school are set to benefit from a new initiative bringing together local schools, nurseries and childminders to help ensure a smooth and positive transition into school.

Lift Barton Hill Primary School in Torquay is leading a new partnership which has been awarded up to £25,000 from the Department for Education for its first year.

The other partners are St Marychurch Primary School, St Margarets Primary Academy, Homelands Primary School, Watcombe Primary School, Watcombe Children’s Centre and Priory Roman Catholic School.

The aim of the initiative is to connect Early Years providers with primary schools, allowing then work more closely and share good practice with the aim of providing children with a more consistent and positive experience as they prepare to start school.

During the first phase of the programme, staff will visit each other's settings, giving them the opportunity to share knowledge and ideas and take part in high-quality training.

The partnership will also identify children and families who may benefit from some additional support, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those facing other challenges as they prepare to start school.

They will also decide the main areas to focus on and how the funding can be used to best support the children.

Local organisations, including Torbay Council’s Early Years Team, health visitors, speech and language therapists, SEND services and family support organisations, will also be involved, bringing together expertise from across the Bay.

The initial development phase will run until March 2027, with the partnership able to apply for further funding for up to two additional years.

Lyndsey Porter, Assistant Principal and Early Years and Year 1 Lead at Lift Barton Hill, who led the successful bid, will oversee the programme and manage its funding.

She said: “We’re really pleased to be bringing schools, nurseries and childminders together to share what works, learn from each other and build on the good work already happening across Torquay.”

“For staff, it’s a great opportunity to share their experience, develop their knowledge and see how other settings ensure children receive a high-quality Early Years education.”

“For children and families, we hope that closer working between Early Years settings and schools will make transitions feel as smooth and positive as possible.”

“Most importantly, this gives us a chance to work together to ensure a consistent offer of excellence in Early Years education across Torquay.”

Sam Smith, Principal at Lift Barton Hill, added: “We know that children thrive when the adults around them work together.”

“We are delighted to be bringing our local schools, private nurseries and childminders together, alongside Torbay Council, to share expertise, learn from one another and strengthen the support we offer to children and families.”