Transition to Up Holland High School

September

• Prior to Open Evening, visits to main feeder primary schools take place.
• These visits involve our current Year 7 students visiting the primary schools they came from and delivering a short presentation to Year 6 students about their experience so far at High School. They also answer any questions that the Year 6 students may have about High School.

September/October

• Open Evening – an opportunity for prospective parents and students to visit the school, see the facilities, meet staff and students and hear presentations from the Headteacher and the Junior Leadership Team.
• Tours of the school are also available during the school day with the Headteacher, another member of the Senior Leadership Team or the Lead for Transition.

March/May

• The list of names arrives from the LEA and at this point we begin to gather information from primary schools about our new cohort of students. Meetings take place to discuss each individual student, their interests, learning styles, abilities, friendship groups and additional needs. At this point, the SENCo may also meet with external agencies who are involved with individual pupils.
• This information is collected and collated by a small transition group of staff at school, including the Lead for Transition, SENCo and Head of Lower School.
• Lots of time and consideration goes into placing students into the correct form groups. Information regarding combinations of individuals and distribution of students from the same primary school is carefully utilised to create balanced forms.
• We endeavour to ensure that all students transitioning from a primary school with more than one other student are placed in a form group with at least one other person of the same gender from that primary school, unless requested to do otherwise. We also consider the balance of gender and ability within each form group.
• To ensure that we have not made any errors, Year 6 teachers are contacted to check through the proposed form groupings prior to those being communicated with students and parents.
  

June

• Year 7 students write letters to pupils in their former primary school to tell them about what life in High School is really like and their experiences of the first year there.
• This often helps to alleviate any fears that Year 6 students may have prior to coming on Taster Day and starting in September.
• Year 7 students write letters to pupils in their former primary school to tell them about what life in High School is really like and their experiences of the first year there.
• This often helps to alleviate any fears that Year 6 students may have prior to coming on Taster Day and starting in September.

A Parents’ Information Meeting is held where students get to meet their form tutor and spend time with their form group, completing ‘Getting to know you’ activities. Parents have the opportunity to:

• Listen to presentations from the Headteacher and other key staff involved with transition.
• Visit the canteen to observe the cashless catering system, view and taste samples of food served in school and enjoy tea and cake.
• Meet uniform suppliers who are available to receive orders.
• Ask general questions from key staff including the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team, Head of Lower School, SENCo and the Lead for Transition.

• The following day, students spend a full day at Up Holland High School. During this day they sample a variety of lessons, complete a session with their form tutor and attend an assembly in the Main Hall with the Headteacher.
• However, students with any additional needs, anxieties or coming from primary schools on their own are offered additional extended transition visits to further support their move to Up Holland High School. These can take place both before and after the Taster Day. These sessions will include orientation around the school site, lessons and nurture group activities.

June/July

• Shortly after the Taster Day there is a ‘Getting to know you’ disco where students will get the chance to meet up again with other Year 6s and members of their new form group. There is the opportunity to buy refreshments and take part in various games and activities.

July

• In the first week of July, SATS results or UPNs are received from the primary schools. This information is used by the data manager to place pupils into teaching groups appropriate to their ability.

Q: Do you help us so we don't get lost in the first few weeks? 
A: You don't need to worry about getting lost at school. Everyone will help you, and teachers are very understanding if you are a bit late to lesson in the first few weeks. Jessica, Y8

Q: Are there any extra curricular clubs?
A: There are lots of extra curricular clubs at lunch time and after school. You will get lots of information about extra curricular clubs when you school. Some examples are netball, dance, football, choir and music. Jessica Y8

Q: How  many different subjects are there?

A: In Year 7 you will study a number of subjects, some of which you will be familiar with from primary school but also some that are new to you. These include: Maths, English, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Spanish, Science, Art, Design Technology, Music, Computing, Performing Arts and Physical Education.

Q: What it the timetable like?

The school day starts at 8.45 am and ends at 3.10 pm.  There are 5 lessons per day and each one lasts for one hour.  There is a 20-minute break in the morning and lunch lasts for 35 minutes.  School Menu can be downloaded here.

If you have any queries or concerns, please email Mrs Farren.