Transition 2024
The Transition Programme
March
Getting to know your child
We think it is very important that we know as much as we can about your child before they start in September so we can support them through their transition to secondary school. Therefore parents, students and Year 6 teachers all complete questionnaires as the first stage of our Transition programme. The Parent & Child Questionnaire is now live. A copy of the survey will be sent to your email inbox, please use that link to make any changes as the term progresses. Please note that this questionnaire is the only way in which your child can request who they would like to be in a tutor group with.
April
Welcome to Romsey!
On Thursday 18th April all parents are invited to visit the school to hear about the latest developments and about the transition process. Whether you are a new parent or one of our existing Romsey families, you’ll benefit from hearing the changes to transition this academic year. You’ll also hear from our new Year 7 Primary Ambassadors about their experience over the last 12 months. It is also an opportunity to meet key staff and ask any unanswered questions you may have at this stage.
May/June
Primary School Visits
If there are 5 or more students coming from your child's Primary School then a member of the Year 7 Student Support Team will be visiting pupils to tell them more about secondary school life. and to talk to the Year 6 staff about the pupils. If there are less than 5 students coming from your child's Primary School then they will be invited to attend an additional Pre-Transition Morning (dates to be confirmed). This will allow them to mix with other students in a similar situation to them - knowing few others.
June
Tutor Group Allocation
This will take place in late June once all the Primary Visits are completed. Your child's tutor is the first port of call for any welfare issues that you or they need to raise. They will see their tutor for 20 minutes a day at the start of each day, every day of the week and the tutor will remain with them on their journey from Year 7 through to Year 11.
Tutor groups will be mixed ability and contain students from a mixture of different primary schools. Students will be taught in these groups for most of their subjects in Year 7. This process of placing students is undertaken with primary school teachers and where possible students are placed with at least one student that they know well. Your child will have the opportunity to nominate two students would like to be placed with through the Parent & Child Questionnaire. If you have any requests as a parent, please ensure these are passed on to your child's primary school teacher so these can be discussed during our visit.
June
Peer Supporter Selection
We select and train around 80 Year 9 students to be Peer Supporters. They can be identified by the distinctive badge shown here. These students have volunteered for this role, written an application and have been interviewed and selected by the Year 9 Student Support Team. Their role is to support and assist the new students during transition and in Year 7. Generally, this will involve them working with tutor groups but many are also allocated individual students to support and mentor on a weekly basis. These students are usually identified by the primary schools in advance but if you feel your child would benefit from a Peer Supporter, please raise this in the Parent & Child Questionnaire.
June
On Thursday 27th June you and your child are invited to return to The Romsey School to meet your child's new tutor and find out who else is in your new Tutor Group. You will get an introduction from your child’s new tutor and find out more about the day to day running of the school led by the Peer Supporters. Further details will be published later this term.
July
On Wednesday 3rd July all pupils are invited to visit The Romsey School for a sample school day where they will experience sample lessons and be supported by their new Tutor Team and the Peer Supporters. Further details will be published later this term.
August
Summer School
The Summer School is exclusively open to Y6 pupils who are joining The Romsey School in September 2024. It is a fantastic opportunity for your child to take part in a range of enjoyable, educational activities that help them to get to know the school site and systems whilst making new friends. Further details will be published later this term.
September
Induction Day
Year 7 students start back a day earlier than the rest of the school to allow them to settle in. The Year 10 Peer Supporters will also be present to support them. The students will have a double length tutor period to get to know their fellow tutees and then start their timetable with three subject lessons. All transport will run as normal and all students will receive a free lunch from the canteen although they are welcome to bring their own. Further details will be published later this term.
October
Avon Tyrrell Trip
Every pupil in Year 7 will attend an Activity Day in late September or early October with the rest of their tutor group. The venue is at the UKY Avon Tyrrell Centre in the New Forest and the purpose of the day is to build trust and encourage developing relationships within each tutor group. We will take every student in the year group. Each pupil will participate in a range of activities throughout the day and these will include a variety of water and land based activities – all of which involve teamwork. Further details will be published later this term.
October
Tutor Parents Evening
Towards the end of the first half term, we hold a special Tutor Parents Evening where you can make an appointment to meet your child’s tutor to discuss how they have settled in. This will be an online appointment and the focus is on the welfare of the student as opposed to curriculum progress. However, don’t wait until that evening to raise issues - please contact your child's tutor directly. Further details will be published in September.
