Transition

In the summer term a major part of my role is working with yr6's their teachers and schools to prepare them for their move to secondary school.

Below is the transcript of an interview I gave to the Tenterden Deanery newsletter this week on transition

Nathan you work in the biggest secondary school in the county. We are coming up to the time of year when the year 6 primary children will be starting to think about moving on. Just how daunting is that? What are the changes that most concern them?

The transition to secondary school is something that affects everyone differently. I meet young people who are really excited as well as those who are very nervous. Especially for young people coming to Homewood from one of the local village schools the size difference can be quite worrying. The concerns they have include bullying, finding the lessons difficult, not knowing people, or worrying about how strict teachers are.

How does Homewood help their new students with the transition?

Homewood has an incredibly comprehensive transition system. We start with yr5/6 master classes for students from local primary schools for them to get a feel for the school. Yr5 open day on 6th June, yr6 open evenings in September give students and their parents a chance to see the school in action.

When places have been offered every yr6 student gets an interview so that a member of staff can get to know them, see their work and start to alleviate any fears.

We then have primary school visits; parents evenings and our Induction week for year 6’s to spend a whole week at Homewood before the summer.

You have a specific role with preparing the students which takes you into the primary schools. How did that come about? How does it work?

I did some work with a primary school charity earlier on in my career and one of the projects they were involved in was a yr6 transition project called Its Your Move, designed by Scripture Union. I have used SU’s material for the past 3 years in the TSCWT’s transition programme. Its a session for the class to work together to think about their imminent move to secondary school, as well as other changes they have faced or may face in their lives.

So you know from previous years that the new intake comes with expectations and misgivings.   What are the main things you want to communicate to them before they arrive?

The main part of my session is based around Changes, Challenges and Choices. Exploring what that means for their move to school and in their life. I always finish the session by explaining that secondary school is a fresh start and they have a positive opportunity to make a change in their life and be the person they want to be.

Is there anything that parents can do to help with the preparation? Do you do any work with parents?

I work with Homewood parents following the transition at our open evenings and parents evening. I think the best tip for parents is to be positive about the transition, be open with your children about any fears they may have, and ask questions of your primary and secondary school if there are things you don’t know.

You are going to be a known face for some of the new arrivals. How much contact do you have with them as they settle in?

Over the first couple of weeks of term I make a particular effort to be out and about in the canteen and playground before school and at break and lunchtimes so that there is someone they may recognise. We also have several opportunities for assemblies and chances to get to know them better over that first term.

Are their original concerns still there or do new ones come in to play as they get into the new school?

What is your ongoing role with this particular group?

Some of the concerns are still there- however many of these quickly fade once they settle in. There are some Young People who struggle for longer but the school has a wide range of support mechanisms that can be put into place through the Form Tutor and the Discovery College pastoral team. I continue to be involved in Year7/8 through MyZone which is a safe space at lunchtime where students can come and eat their lunch and either sit quietly or make friends and chat with the staff involved. We also run a programme called Take Up The Challenge which some of the new yr7’r are invited on, a major part of this programme is about building confidence and self-assurance.

You have been doing the job for nearly three years now. You came to it with experience of being with youngsters in church and working at The North School in Ashford. Have you found over time you have refined how you relate to youngsters?  

I think the way you relate to Young People has to change as culture changes. Even in the past 3 years at Homewood, technology has increased in its use and in its capabilities this has changed the way everyone communicates.

Quite a few people who read this may not have too many opportunities to talk to young people. As a specialist in the field can you give us three positive pointers and three definite no-nos?

Do

1.     Try and keep track of popular culture as this provides a good conversation starter

2.     Be approachable to all YP regardless of background or culture

3.     Meet Young People where they are, both physically eg football pitches, street corners, youth clubs; and emotionally and intellectually

Don’t

1.     Go into a conversation with a YP thinking you have all the answers

2.     Be surprised if you come out of a conversation having learnt something new or about yourself

3.     Be afraid if your first conversation is a ‘disaster’. Building a relationship of trust takes time

The Transition project happens throughout July, last year Nathan visited 16 primary schools and talked to over 450 students heading to Homewood and other secondary schools in the area. Staff and students were overwhelmingly positive about the impact of this project.

For more information about the material please seewww.scriptureunion.org.uk/itsyourmove or contact Nathan e: Nathan@tscwtrust.org