The transition from primary to secondary school is an important milestone in the lives of children and their families. At Oldbury Wells School we pride ourselves on providing our new students, parents and carers with a smooth and extensive Transition programme. Our aim is that students arrive on their first day in September excited about the next step of their education journey.
We want all students who choose Oldbury Wells School to develop new friendships, increase their confidence and get used to their new routines and school organisation with ease. We aim to enrich students’ learning experience by providing them with opportunities and challenges, along with the practical skills and knowledge to be confident, well qualified individuals, ready for employment, training, or the next part of their education.
Working together with Primary Schools
Our aim is to assist students in primary school to prepare for their transition, we are very proud to have developed strong links with our feeder primaries within the Trusted CSAT Alliance as well as beyond our Trust boundaries, offering a full range of educational and enriched opportunities. These events are designed to engage the imagination of all primary students’ and provide the opportunity for them to visit us to experience what it is like within secondary school teaching.
Our Transition Team have carried out this role for many years and are best equipped to provide the best transition process.
The Oldbury Wells Transition Journey
Open Evening
When you visit our open evening, you will have the opportunity to explore the school and experience the culture of our school. You will get involved through interactive and engaging sessions lead by our dedicated staff team, with the help of our student ambassadors, who will be able to assist with any questions.
Open Morning
Open morning opportunities are available throughout October, once open evening has taken place, to enable parents / carers and their children to experience the school in a normal working day. Your tour of Oldbury Wells will be guided through by members of our senior leadership team, Mr Smith(Transition Lead) and Oldbury Wells students. You will be able to hear of their own experience within the Transition Journey and the guidance they were given throughout their transition journey.
Once you have chosen Oldbury Wells School and have been successful in being allocated a place then then we continue the Transition Journey : -
Working Closely with Primary Schools
In the spring term, our Transition Team and Head of Year 7 will make contact with your child’s primary school. We always aim to gather as much information from the Year 6 teachers about how students are getting on in year 6 and their expected results in the SATs which are taken in May. During the visits, we give your child the opportunity to hear more about life at Oldbury Wells to ease those worries and to answer any burning questions.
Year 6 Transition Day
In July, your child will be invited to a full day within Oldbury Wells. This is a great opportunity to make new friends, attend new and exciting lessons and meet key members of staff and students. Our students have shown that following the full transition day, they feel much more confident about their move up into Secondary School life. This part of the Transition Journey is key in establishing initial routines and expectations for the students.
Due to having a large number of individual students who attend from smaller schools, we do offer a separate day for these students to attend Oldbury Wells. This gives them the chance to get to know each other before the main ‘Transition Day’ when they will meet the rest of the year group.
We offer further Transition activities for SEND/ vulnerable students where they meet and work very closely with the SEND team in the Learning Support Department
New students information and Guidance evening
Parents and carers and students will be invited to join us for an evening where you will view a presentation about the Transition process and hear how your child will be taught at Oldbury Wells. This is the first opportunity to meet key members of staff including Mr Smith, Transition Lead and Miss Morgan, the Head of Year 7 who will be there to support your child through the Transition Journey.
Summer School
We also offer students an opportunity to attend our Summer School programme, run by the dedicated Oldbury wells Staff. This opportunity for children to enhance friendships that will have been created during the Transition Days, before students start at school in September. We have found that Summer school increases confidence and alleviates those last minute worries or concerns they may have.
I hope that you have found the answers to any questions that you may of had, however, if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Transition Lead, Chris Smith on: chris.smith2@oldburywells.com
We look forward to meeting and speaking to you over the course of the Transition Journey.
