How The Kingsway School helps support its new students into school life

HOW many people can remember those first day nerves when starting secondary school? It’s quite a change from primary school - there’s larger premises to navigate, new friends to make, more teachers and a wider variety of subjects.

Although it’s an exciting new chapter, for new Year 7 students, many of whom still not big enough to properly fit into their smart new uniform, it can also be a pretty daunting experience too.

For The Kingsway School, a 11-16 mixed comprehensive secondary school in Stockport, some of the most common worries among its new starters were about not being able to make new friends; getting lost; and not being able to do the amount of work - worries we’re sure many can relate to.

To help address these fears, the school has a thorough transition programme to help its students settle in.

To find out more about how the programme has helped its students, we spoke to Rachael Wardle, Deputy Headteacher at the school, who’s also in charge of transition from primary to secondary.

She told us: “The transition team fully understand and are skilled in supporting the anxieties that some students and their parents may have with the move from a small primary school to a large secondary school. They provide the pastoral support, care and guidance to help families navigate throughout the process.

“The transition programme aims to provide this support whilst raising aspirations and academic expectations.”

GETTING A HEAD START ON SCHOOL LIFE

The school’s motto - Turning Potential Into Reality - is at the heart of everything it does and that includes supporting students into their new school routine.

Long before the Year 7s even start at the school, they are seen as a part of the school community and that is when the support starts.

Rachael told us: “As soon as you receive your Local Authority offer in March; you are considered part of The Kingsway School.”

From this point on, the team works hard to help prepare its new starters for September.

With strong relationships among primary schools in the area, children are not ‘chucked in the deep end’ as preparation starts well in advance. Staff visit primary schools to connect with students in Years 4, 5 and 6.

Rachael added: “We have excellent relationships with all our local primaries.

Through our primary network our staff become familiar faces in their schools. They have many opportunities to visit The Kingsway - meaning that they know and become familiar with the site, staff and our ethos.”

And as well as taster days and induction evenings, the ‘Kickstart to Kingsway’ programme eases students into the school gently and helps them to settle in and get to know what is expected of them once they start. Subjects covered include: Form bonding sessions Attitude to Learning (ATL) - to be the best and most effective learner possible Respect - how to create a positive learning environment through behaviour Identity to a house community - there are six houses in each year group The school also uses other resources to deliver the programme including a fun learning workshop inspired by the BBC programme ‘Race across the world’ with a video clip from Jo Gardiner (competitor and local resident), and a PIXL programme using the philosophy of educational gurus, Matthew Syed and Matthew Burton.

Rachael said: “Aims of the day are to cover the K:OAR principles (Kingsway: Opportunity, Achievement, Respect) of the school, establish high expectations and ensuring students are comfortable, bonded and have an identity with the school early on.”

• •

•

•

HOW DOES THE KINGSWAY SCHOOL PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THEIR FIRST DAY?

Of course there are still going to be those first-day jitters but by getting to know the school, the staff and what lies ahead, students can start their first day confident of what is expected of them.

Rachael said: “Students are familiar on a regular basis with the transition team who address any anxiety and concerns about such a big step up to the school.

“By including parents we encourage an effective team work approach which forms a basis for our working relationships as the students progress through school.

“We also address mental health and anxiety. The familiar, happy faces of our staff offer reassurances so that the secondary school does not become a huge unknown.”

To find out more about Kingsway School, email transition@kingsway. stockport.sch.uk or visit www.kingsway.stockport.sch.uk