Admissions

Year 6 to Year 7 transition

Our new Year 7 pupils come to us from approximately 20 primary schools each year. We work very closely with all these schools to ensure that the transition between schools is as easy as possible for the pupils. We know that moving schools and becoming the youngest again can be very difficult for some, and is felt by all our new pupils.

Mr Haynes, our Head of Year 7, visits all the main feeder primary schools to meet the youngsters and their teachers and gain as much information as possible about our future pupils, both academically and personally. This information helps us to allocate teaching groups and alerts us to those most likely to find the transition difficult.

The Year 6s are then invited to attend Winchcombe School for a one day induction, when they experience several lessons and begin to get to know some of the staff, other pupils and the layout of the buildings - all of which helps to make the first day as a Year 7 less daunting.

As we are such a relatively small school all staff get to know the new intake very quickly and this is of real benefit to the pupils.

For those Year 6 pupils who do not attend our main feeder primary schools we still have detailed information. Mr Haynes liaises with their teachers and the youngsters are invited to the Induction Days with all the other pupils.

Our Special Educational Needs department also has close links with all of the primary feeders and preparation for pupils' arrival at Winchcombe School begins the previous academic year. Learning problems and the transition of Individual Education Plans are discussed when our staff visit the feeder school. Parents who feel that their child may need extra help are asked to contact the Special Needs Co-ordinator. Assessments throughout Key Stage 3 help to identify and support learning difficulties.