Year 3 is very similar to Year 2 in that the children are still very much form room based. The class teacher will still teach their form for the majority of the time. This is especially important in the core subjects of English and Maths and Science. We continue to have an open door policy and, if you have any questions, please speak to your class teacher.
By the end of Year 3 for the very first time, children are set for Maths, English and MFL (modern foreign languages) and regular half term assessments take place.
Managing the transition
In the Summer term prior to Year 3, the children have the opportunity to mix with children and staff in the senior school through:
- House meetings
- School assemblies
- A morning with their new class and form teacher
- Joint activities between the current Year 2 and Year 3
- A further familiarisation the day before the Autumn term starts.
If the children have experienced what life is like in the senior school, it helps to remove some of those holiday fears!
Houses
All of the children at the end of Year 2 or on joining the school for the first time are allocated a school House. There are numerous competitions between the Houses and whether they be sporting, musical or academic, the children take them very seriously! The Houses, led by our hugely enthusiastic staff, are made up of children from Years 2-8. They meet once a week on Thursday mornings where children have an opportunity to discuss House matters including fund raising events for their chosen charity.
To mark the partnership between our two schools, the children have helped to choose the names of their new Houses. These were revealed in the first term's assembly.
- Orchard (Yellow) - support Woking & Sam Beare Hospice and Wellbeing Care
- Heath (Red) - support Street Child
- Castle (Blue) - support the Starlight Children's Foundation
- Grange (Green) - support Surfers Against Sewage.
The House system at at Halstead St Andrew's is a fundamental aspect of school life. The children sit in Houses for lunch in mixed year groups, reinforcing their sense of belonging and encourages their recognition of this important aspect of pastoral care.
As a school, we firmly believe that children thrive on praise. The opportunity to celebrate good work or behaviour is never missed. Form and subject teachers will actively do this through daily life. The children may also receive stars for their good work and behaviour. They are added both to their individual and the House points total. These are then recognised at the end of an assessment period. The children with the highest totals receive acknowledgement in their House meetings.
Moving on to senior school
From September 2026, pupils at Halstead St Andrew’s will benefit from a unique admissions process that will provide a seamless pathway between HSA and the Effingham Schools Trust (EST).
The collaboration will strengthen senior school pathways for pupils beyond Year 8 and brings together Halstead St Andrew’s with Cranmore and St Teresa’s, two highly regarded senior schools within EST.
If you would like to know more about this process visit our dedicated page and find out more about what this pathway will mean for you and your child.
Find out more about our senior school pathway
If Cranmore or St Teresa's is not a school of choice for you and your child, we will continue to provide guidance and advice to parents to help them decide on the best senior school choices for their child.
There are a number of evenings organised in order for parents, pupils and staff members to discuss future options. In addition to these, the school organises a biennial open evening and invites a wide selection of secondary schools to attend. The Head is always available to discuss the options open to each individual.
In recent years, many children have progressed on to schools such as:
Find out more about our senior school pathway