Year 6 – 7 Transition

Students respect their teachers. Relationships are strong – OFSTED 2014

The school’s work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding – OFSTED 2014

In the first half of Summer Term, we visit our new students in their primary schools, spend time with them and answer their many questions about joining Beaumont.

Staff from Beaumont, including the Head of Year 7 and members of the school Leadership Team, meet the Year 6 students’ current teachers to learn as much as possible about each child. We sometimes also meet with parents, students and professionals where transition to secondary school is thought likely to cause particular challenges. The Head of Year 7 uses all this information to divide the students into eight forms, balanced with respect to ability, gender and individual need. It is our experience that students settle quickly into their forms and add new friends to their circle. In any year, there will be several students who are the only entrant from their particular primary school and parents can be reassured that our experience is that they too settle quickly.

During the Summer Term, parents and children are invited into school one evening to meet Form Tutors and senior staff and to share information with other staff such as the Special Educational Need Co-ordinator if appropriate. In July, in common with all the local secondary schools, the future intake year spends a day at Beaumont. On that day, students meet the other students in their new form, spend time with their Form Tutor; they sample taster lessons and get the “feel” of their new school before they arrive in September.

We have developed close curricular liaison with our feeder primary schools over the years. Beaumont staff regularly meet and work with primary colleagues in a variety of ways as we believe it is vital to understand and build upon the work of primary schools, giving students the benefits of continuity. Students from our main feeder primary schools come to visit us to use the ICT, Maths, PE and Science facilities and to see a school performance.

When Year 6 pupils have joined our community, they become Year 7 Beaumont students.  On their arrival in September, students quickly get to know Beaumont’s procedures and everyday expectations. The Year 7 tutor team supports and guides students in their new school, helping them to settle quickly. In September, a Parent Information Evening will be held to share further information to support each student joining the school. This event also provides an early platform to discuss any specific questions or issues that have arisen with pastoral leaders.

As part of our Personal Development programme, we run a residential trip for students in September. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to make new friends and bond as a year group. This is followed by Tutor Review Day, where all students will have a meeting with their Form Tutor (or another key member of staff). This meeting is an opportunity for students, staff and parents to discuss how well things are going from a pastoral point of view and to promote students’ wider development and wellbeing. For students in Year 7, this is an excellent opportunity to review their experience of starting secondary school and ensure they get the most out of the rest of the year. Reports are issued termly to parents. Furthermore, during the year, there is a consultation evening arranged for subject teachers to meet parents and discuss progress in individual subjects.

To mark and encourage positive attitudes and individual achievement, students are awarded ‘Positives’. These are linked to our three areas of respect: ‘Respect for Yourself’, ‘Respect for Our Community’ and ‘Respect for Learning’. As the number of Positives reaches milestones, such as 150, 200 and so on, praise postcards are sent home to mark this. Earlier milestones are celebrated in Tutor Time where certificates are presented. There are also Awards Assemblies each term to recognise students’ Effort and Achievement across the curriculum.

As with other Year Groups, Year 7 students are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities, such as sports team practices and games, the annual dance display, clubs, school productions, “student voice” and the Year 7 “team-building” residential PGL trip. This “taking part” enriches their daily life at school.

Pastoral care is all important at Beaumont and Form Tutors monitor their tutees, meeting them each day during morning registration. A team of Year 10 mentors support Year 7 Form Tutors, particularly at key transition events, and Sixth Form mentors are used to provide more targeted support for those students identified by their Form Tutor as requiring additional support. 

The final half term of Year 7 includes a bespoke Personal Development Week programme, which provides unique opportunities for students. These include a ‘Celebration of the Arts’ day, sustainability-focussed activities and a ‘House Day’. We use the issue of a final report to plan ahead for the transfer of students into Year 8.