Year 6 to Year 7 Transition

The transition from primary to secondary school is an exciting time, full of challenges and experiences for a child and their family. We work very hard to ensure maximum success for all our students so they are ready for the challenges of high school, enjoying new friendships and the new opportunities it brings.

We work closely with the Year 6 teachers from our feeder schools to ensure that we receive all the required information about our new students.

Transition Programme

Each year, we plan a whole array of activities  to support our Year 6 pupils with their transition.

These can include:

• Welcome postcards to introduce the school community
• Year 6 visits
• Year 6 teacher meetings
• ALNCO support
• Transition Days
• Parents’ Transition Evening
• Transition Plus support

Here are some top tips for students joining us in Year 7 last year.

Useful links to support your child

• BBC Transitioning to Secondary School
• http://www.theschoolrun.com/how-survive-starting-secondary-school

Year 6 to Year 7 Transition

We’d love to find out more about our Year 6s.

Achievement Points and postcards will be awarded to any students completing the transition tasks that we give you on Transition Day.

Transition Tasks:

Before the new school year begins we would like to ensure that your questions are answered and that all preparations are made.

Please find key information below, helping to ensure that your child’s transition into Year 7 is smooth and successful.

Full Transition Days

The purpose of these days is to give an opportunity for all children to become familiar with their new surroundings, to meet staff and to get to know their new year group.

Inclusion/ALN Transition Days:

To complement the usual transition days, where applicable, some students may also be invited to attend additional transition sessions, which will be held after school at Les Varendes High School.

The aim of this additional transition visit is to offer an extra opportunity for students to meet some of their peers and key members of staff prior to the main transition days, plus get to know the school environment. There may be additional sessions after this date and you will be notified of these in due course, if they are applicable to your child.

Transition Evening for Parents

Parents and Carers are also invited to an Information Evening. We welcome you to our school and provide further information and answer any questions you may have. Your child is not required to attend. 

Year 6 Transition Summer Pack

This pack contains all of the key information to help prepare your child for their first day at Les Varendes High School.

We have also included a number of challenges for students to complete over the summer break that can be handed in to their form tutor in September to earn merits.

The pack can be found here.

Top tips for Year 6 students

Please find here some tips and advice from our current pupils who have already completed the transition from Year 6 into Year 7 at Les Varendes High School. 

• “Enjoy the Transition Days and induction events, get to know a few new people and see who is in your year group. They may not turn out to be your new BFFs, but knowing a face in the crowd is a good feeling. And people will want to be friendly – you’re all new together.”
• “Buy an alarm clock. School starts at 8:30am so if you have a long walk, you may have an early start. You also need to check out the bus times on bus.gg if you are planning to use a public bus.
• “Always eat some breakfast, even if you feel nervous.”
• “If you’re wearing a blazer for the first time, don’t buy it too much bigger than you need. You will need to use your hands!”
• “If you will need to use a Puffin Pass or a bus pass, make sure you apply for it in plenty of time – it may take a couple of weeks to come through, so don’t leave it until the end of the holidays.”
• “Work out your route to school, whether you’re walking or taking public transport. Practise until you’re confident and time yourself. Also, make sure you have an alternative route in case of problems with transport or people you want to avoid. If it helps, draw a map."
• “Buy a strong bag. You will have lots to carry. And that’s not counting the days when you’ll have your PE kit.”
• “If you can, find a friend to walk with on your first day. Things won’t seem so daunting if you can travel with someone."
• “Be prepared to just ‘hang out’ at break time.”
• “Work out how you’ll be paying for your lunch (if you buy lunch) – we have a contactless system as well as paying cash…”
• “Try not to eat pizza every day”
• “Find out where the toilets are."
• “Make sure you turn your mobile phone off during school time. Off and Away during the school day!"
• “When you are given your timetable, make at least three copies: one for your bag, one for your pocket and a spare for home.”
• “Be organised. Get logged on to Class Charts - it’s how we get all of our important messages.
• “Go through your timetable and pack your bag the night before – there’s never time in the morning to find your maths book or your power pack.”
• “Visit the Library. It’s a great place to go if you want to do some homework.
• “Never be afraid to ask for help if you’re not sure where to go."
• “At lesson changeover, stick with someone who knows where they’re going. Remember to walk on the left.
• “Relax and try to enjoy it – in no time at all, it’ll seem like you’ve been here forever. This time next year, you’ll be showing the new intake around the school.”