A huge part of successful transition is effectively transferring deep knowledge about pupils from one school team to the next. When this information is disseminated well, it provides Secondary teachers and staff with crucial tools to support pupils in their new environment. This isn't just about academic data; it's about giving Secondary schools a complete picture so they can support every child’s success.
The school offers all Year 7 parents a face to face meeting with their child’s Year 7 tutor in the first month of term. This provides a very useful scheduled point of contact for parents and tutors, to share information and pick up on concerns early into Year 7. This is followed by an online feedback survey for parents at October half term to give parents the opportunity to evaluate arrangements in place in the initial period, providing feedback for continuous improvement.
The school offers a face to face information evening for parents of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils to visit school and find out more about what they offer. This is complemented by a range of online resources for parents: a ready for High School checklist, pupil booklet, top tips for parents, and a virtual school tour. On the same webpage parents can email the dedicated transition email and find out information about the summer school, booking their child a free place for the week.
This school decided to have one member of their Senior Leadership team take the lead on transition. They visited each feeder Primary a number of times, spoke with parents in the playground and were available by phone and email to Primary teachers for help with using the Secondary school resources (kitchens, art rooms). They hosted Fish and Chips Fridays where Primary staff could come to the Secondary School at lunchtime, see their previous Year 6s and connect with the transition lead. This consistency and hospitality has created a new trusting relationship between partners, with a far great depth for information sharing and a shared sense of purpose.
These are the indicators we assess for the award at the bronze, silver and gold level.
School has clear communication channels for pupil information transfer. Pupil information is cascaded to all relevant staff within school.
Information sharing meetings with Secondary and Primary transition leads.
School has a Transition Policy in place which has been agreed in consultation with Primary schools.
School's transition policy includes clear roles and responsibilities that are shared and agreed by school and the majority of relevant Primary schools.
Pupil individual data cascaded and used effectively at whole-school, department and classroom levels.
School has a named transition lead with clear communication lines for Primary Schools.
Transition lead creates a clear pathway for information to transfer from Primary to Secondary school.
School has provided the transition lead with time and resources year-round to support pupils.
Regular meetings are offered by School (with SLT, Heads of Year, SENDCO) to Primary colleagues to share information
Transition lead provides a programme of support and intervention year-round
All staff receive information on the impact and importance of the transition period
CPD is provided to all school staff on the transition period
CPD is offered to Primary school partners to support cross-phase working
Additional plans for vulnerable pupils to meet needs for a successful transition with SENDCO involvement
Plans are created for pupils specific needs and consideration is given to the diversity of the local community and intake
School transition Policy includes contingency plans to gain information for pupils likely to miss key transition data transfer (eg. Late applications, in-year entry, pupils from outside of local authority)support pupils.
Policy includes gaining information and insight from relevent public sector and VCSE partners
School receives standardised data on wellbeing during transition (e.g. PS WELLS Scale) and uses this to plan pastoral support.
Further information on PS WELLS and the benefit of standardised scoring is located in the resources section
Transition information and key dates are shared with pupils and parents, and are easily accessible on the school website.
School offers to visit pupils in Primary settings and invite sharing of information
Parents and pupils have clear channels to share their information and concerns prior to and during Year 7
Parents are provided with digital or face to face occasions to share information
Pupils are given opportunities to share information at the start of Year 7
Staff, parents and pupils are involved in evaluating transition arrangements to secure continuous improvement
Pupil voice is gathered on their transition experience during Year 7
Parents views are gathered on their experience of transition support
Download the two forms necessary for you to complete this objective. It is a simple assessment form for you to use when compiling evidence.
Don't forget our Resources page has links and documents to help you as you progress through the Award.
Once you have completed the assessment form for all the objectives please send them to your Moving On Well Award Advisor who will then agree a date to visit your school for the in-person assessment.
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