Year 7 Transition Group

What is it?

• Up to 32 year 7 students in two classes
• Each class taught by one teacher for approximately 50% of the timetable
• Supported by at least 1 LSA (Learning Support Assistant)
• The group is taught by one teacher for the following subjects: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, and Philosophy.
• The group also remain together for languages but with a specialist teacher.
• The group is taught by other teachers in groups of up to 30 students for the following subjects: Technology, ICT, Drama, Art, PE and Music
• Students follow the mainstream school curriculum for all subjects except English. English follows the Year 7 scheme with additional Literacy content. There is a focus is on plugging individual gaps.

Who is it for?

Students who will find the transition to secondary education difficult for a variety of reasons.

‘I was unsettled by the idea of my daughter being in the transition group.  I thought she would be really isolated.  It turned out to be the best experience for her and helped her to be enthusiastic about school again.’

Parent

Why is it needed?

• It helps students plug gaps in their knowledge and make rapid progress
• It improves student confidence in their learning
• It supports making friends, social skills and mutual respect
• It provides additional support for those who are anxious about being in such a big school.
• It provides key members of staff whom students can rely on
• It helps reduce behaviour issues and improve attendance
• It provides a greater sense of belonging and community
• It bridges the gap between primary and high school teaching methods
• It allows students to settle in at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed, reducing the stress caused by moving to high school
• It provides positive staff relationships for year 8 onwards.  Students can regularly check in with the transition teacher.

The academic, social, and emotional progress of students is regularly assessed, and students can move out of the class at half-termly intervals if they’re ready. At Easter there is a managed transition for some subjects into mainstream.

Students are placed in several different form groups, mixed with the rest of their year group, and are free to mix with the rest of their year group at break and lunch, and take part in any extra-curricular activity the school offers.

Who’s Who?
Transition Teachers

Claire Wheeler is a primary trained teacher who has also worked in a 6th form college.

Catherine Cookson is a primary trained teacher with many years’ experience.

Transition Support:

Laura Greenfield is a learning support assistant who has previously worked as a teaching assistant, in primary schools around Stockport.

SENDCO:

Nuala Burke is the school’s SENDCO with 20 years’ teaching experience and 8 years’ experience as a SENDCO.  She collates all the information gathered from primary schools and makes the final decisions about who will be in the transition