The Wiltshire-based multi-academy trust has provided the transition bags to every child due to join Reception at its 32 primary schools.
Each bag includes a range of learning resources designed to support children before they begin school. Items include a picture book, a watercolour painting set, Play-Doh, a wipe-clean handwriting book and dice for educational games.
Children have also received copies of books from Mick Inkpen’s *Kipper the Dog* series and *I Love You to the Moon and Back* by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes, encouraging families to read together ahead of the new school year.
The trust has also produced guidance booklets for parents, offering practical advice on supporting early learning at home, including early maths skills.
The initiative is intended to help children feel confident and ready for the transition into school while encouraging parents to play an active role in preparing them for the move.
Lisa Davies, Director of School Improvement at The White Horse Federation, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that, across the Trust, we are able to provide all of our new Reception starters with a Transition Bag as they prepare for this exciting next step in their educational journey.
“We see these bags as an important part of our commitment to giving every child the very best start in life. Lovingly assembled by our central team and distributed to schools across the Trust, they reflect our investment in our youngest learners and our belief that strong partnerships between home and school are key to children thriving from day one.”
Simon Cowley, Director of Education at The White Horse Federation, added: “A child’s introduction to school is highly formative and we want every child to begin school feeling excited, confident and ready to learn.
“These gift bags are helping to ensure that this is the reality. We are really pleased to be able to support families before their children start school with us next academic year.”
The scheme builds on The White Horse Federation’s work in early years education.
One of its schools, Zouch Academy, recently won the Early Years Setting of the Year title at the Tes Awards. The trust has also been recognised as Inclusive Trust of the Year.
Zouch Academy has also been selected by the Department for Education as one of five schools in the South West to become a Rise Best Start in Life School, helping to support a national programme focused on improving Reception education.
The academy has already hosted a series of RISE Discovery Reception mornings, sharing best practice with schools from across the region.
The White Horse Federation said it hopes the transition bags will help give every child the strongest possible start to their education before they enter the classroom for the first time.
