Preparing Your Child for School – Hanley St Luke’s Academy

Starting school is an exciting milestone for both children and parents. At Hanley St Luke’s Academy, we aim to make the transition into school a happy and positive experience for your child.

School readiness means helping children aged 3 to 4 years old feel confident, curious, and ready to learn in a school environment. This includes developing skills in:

• Personal, social and emotional development – learning to play with others, share, take turns, and express feelings

• Communication and language – talking, listening, asking questions and understanding instructions

• Physical development – improving coordination, self-care, and independence

• Early literacy and numeracy – recognising letters, numbers, shapes, and enjoying stories and songs

• Confidence and curiosity – feeling happy to explore, try new activities, and ask questions

At Hanley St Luke’s Academy, our friendly and experienced staff support every child to grow these skills through play-based learning, small group activities, and engaging classroom experiences. We focus on making learning fun, meaningful, and full of discovery.

How parents can help at home:

• Read stories together and talk about the pictures

• Encourage independence with dressing, eating, and tidying up

• Play games that involve counting, matching, or sorting

• Listen and respond to your child’s ideas and questions

• Allow time for outdoor play and exploring nature

By nurturing these skills early, children feel confident, happy, and ready to thrive when they start school.

For more information about our early years programme, nursery admissions, or support for starting school, please contact the office at Hanley St Luke’s Academy.

For more information, see the leaflets below.