If your child is planning to start Whitley Academy soon, please listen to our collection of podcasts produced by Year 7 pupils on settling in to life at Whitley Academy.

Here at Whitley Academy the foundation of our transition into Year 7 is our unique Opening Minds curriculum. Students are taught core and foundation subjects by a much reduced numbers of teachers, to allow students to settle in as quickly as possible. As part of the transition program we aim to give pupils the opportunity to;

• Develop new friends and enjoy school life.
• Settle quickly in the school building and feel safe secure about routines and expectations.
• Foster their interest in school and school work at secondary level.

On this page you will find all the information about the transition activities that take place both whilst students are in Primary and once they have joined us. As well as any induction activities that take place. More events will continue to be added throughout the school year, so keep looking!

Dates of upcoming events, please come along:

• 11th October 2pm – 3pm – Tea/Coffee Afternoon. Year 7 parents and guardians will be invited to join a number of Opening Minds teachers for a cup of tea and an opportunity to discuss how the first half term is progressing.
• 17th October 4pm – 5pm – Exhibition of Talent. Come and see the amazing talents and work of our Year 7s.
• Biscuit and Natter (date TBC). During half term 1, some of our friendly and helpful Year 8 students will invite some Year 7 students to join them during an Active Tutorial to have a biscuit, squash and chat about how they are settling in.
• Cooking Half Termly (date TBC). Mrs Hilditch will be inviting Year 6 students to make delicious treats.
• 23rd September – Stretton Primary School Visit. Students in Year 6 are heading to our science department, in order to dissect eye balls, as part of their investigation in to the ‘Evolution of the eye’.
• 30th October – Halloween. Some lucky Year 6s will be invited to our ghastly and ghostly Halloween Event.
• Tuesday 3rd December – Christmas Crafts. Come and visit our Christmas Crafts event, with lots of Christmas activities to enjoy, as well as a visit from Santa!
• Valentines Event – More details to follow.
• Wednesday 1st July 2020 – Induction Day. Our Year 6 students join us, to prepare for the big leap into Secondary School. They will meet the Opening Minds Teachers and experience a day at Whitley Academy. There will be lots of staff on hand, as well as our older students to make sure they have a great introduction to secondary school life.
• What’s Wicked at Whitley – From local Primary schools, Year 6 students are invited in to take part in one of the three mornings, to experience a variety of subjects that they perhaps won’t have had the opportunity to take part in at Primary.
• What’s Wicked at Whitley – From local Primary schools, Year 5 students are invited in to take part in one of the two day events.

You may find the following websites useful during the transition period:

• https://www.tes.com/news/transition-secondary-school-5-tips-help-parents
• https://sendsuccess.org.uk/transition-primary-secondary/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/transitioning-to-secondary-school/zkc9pg8

Our Primary Liaison Co-ordinator Mrs Billyeald and Assistant Vice Principal Mrs Savage will be visiting Primary schools regularly and attending events at each of them so that their faces become familiar to you. Please feel free to discuss any enquire with us and ask any questions.