Partnership working to make the transition from Primary to Secondary school a smooth one

1. Partnership working to make the transition from Primary to Secondary school a smooth one

2. 1 in 5 children struggle with transition and even children that appear to be coping with the transition are easily knocked off course (Young Minds 2015)

3. Risk factors for transition In children: Emotionally based school refusal SEND children including those with specific development delays Low self-esteem I.e those who are socially isolated or withdrawn Long-term physical illness Underachieving boys Early maturing girls – self conscious

4. Risk factors for transition In families: Family breakdown LAC Parents trying to subvert the admission process Lack of parental interest

5. Risk factors for transition Wider environmental factors: Socio-economic disadvantage Homelessness Previous experienced bullying behaviour Discrimination Disasters or war I.e. refugees and asylum seekers

6. Risk factors for transition In families: Overt parental conflict I.e DV Hostile of rejecting relationships - failure to adapt to changing development needs - abuse - parental psychiatric illness - parental criminality - substance misuse - bereavement

7. Sir Henry Fermor CE Primary – Growing Independence Year 6 begins with ‘Meet the Teacher’ Parents ‘hand over’ the responsibility Higher expectations for homework – Homework club Independence is a key message – Pencil cases and equipment, script Young Enterprise Residential in term 6 split across the year group for small groups to develop teamwork and friendships

8. Responsibilities Responsibilities are vital to the effective running of the school Ambassadors Buddies Worship Leaders House Captains Gate ‘Meet and Greeters’ Head Boy and Head Girl Play leaders

9. Safe Place to Talk PSHE focus Thought boxes form the basis for discussions Unscheduled discussions as they arise Pupil voice on transition “I am quite nervous about going to the bottom of the school, after being at the top of the school and having responsibilities, but in PSHE we have talked a lot about friendships and how new friendship groups are formed - you still can have contact with primary friends.”

10. Links with Secondary Schools Department links: Sports, Music, Art, Dance and Drama All schools come in to discuss the children and meet the children Extra provision for those with additional needs Beacon Academy also meets with the parents SMART moves Term 6, 15 sessions EIP - FLO

11. SMART Moves Pupil voice Smart moves “It is helping me because I was quite scared going to secondary school but it has helped me to see what will happen.” “I was quite anxious about moving school, as most of my friends are going to another school, but using the Smart moves books has built my confidence on what to expect.”

12. Beacon Academy Provision Children have 3 transition days: Tutor group activities Lessons and transition with own belongings Sports activities and workshop for parents - annual tie presentation Year 6 teacher voice “We really value this, as it gives them a chance to settle and familiarise themselves, it is exciting but allows consistency and a build-up of confidence, each day becomes progressively easier.”

13. Year 7 Pupil Advice on Transition to Beacon “There is a big jump in homework in year 7 so year 6 should be a good practice for getting it in on time, use homework club if you need it. Friendships change, you make lots of new friendship groups so mixing the classes at residential helps to make new friendships. We also do Smart Moves in Tutor, so doing it in year 6 was a good start, as it continues into year 7. “

14. Year 6+ Meant to be the beginning of the bridge, not the solution Addressing some of the practical issues that are likely to be encountered Reducing the changes, less to cope with in September Learning whilst in a place the children feel safe.

15. Timetables Packing own bag Move from one classroom to another Deciding what they need for each day Thinking ahead Reading a timetable

16. Homework Set on different days, with different due dates Set by different teachers More than one piece at a time – time management

17. Moving their belongings around Pack up own equipment Line up outside classrooms Go to a different place than their peers - independence

18. Time Regulation Choose when to eat lunch When to come in after break/lunch Where to go, not always same classroom

19. Equipment & Books No-longer waiting in classroom at the same place Purchase own equipment – label, manage look after Have to read the timetable to ensure that they have the correct equipment

20. Common Language Move to similar behaviour and reward systems Pick up on more secondary phase issues Expectation of self-reliance

21. What we do Attend primary Heads meeting Write to primaries setting out the expectations for our visit Ask primaries when the best time to visit is Visit every primary feeder school Additional transition visits for additional needs students and other identified students Three transition days

22. Smartmoves Year 6 and year 7 version Complement each other or act as a standalone programme Consistency between year 6 and 7 Teacher is the facilitator Students problem solve for each other Manageable time for sessions Flexible ways to facilitate All pre-planned with teacher resource book, powerpoints and student booklets Online training available

23. Resilience factors in children Being female Secure attachment experience Outgoing temperament Good communication Being a planner Humour Capacity to reflect

24. Challenges Time Volume of schools Differing wants/needs

25. Ways forward Action plan:

26. Questions?

27. Links Online books to view: https://www.flipsnack.com/Eikoncharity/ Training link: https://eikon.org.uk/smart-moves-training/