TRANSITION
Transition
The move from primary to secondary school can be challenging for both pupils and their parents so we do everything we can to make that move as smooth as possible. Year 5 and 6 pupils will be very familiar with Miss Stone who begins her visits to their school in the Autumn Term accompanied by Year 7 pupils. This gives the children in Years 5 and 6 the opportunity to ask questions of pupils who have only recently made the transition themselves and acts as a great source of reassurance. The school stages a Showcase in September which gives parents and children the chance to see the school, meet teachers and other staff, sample some of the activities that take place in our subjects and to see some of our pupils performing on stage In the Spring term, Year 6 pupils come to the school for a Technology and PE day. They have the opportunity to take part in a range of sports activities and to make key rings and always have a thoroughly good time. In the Summer Term we arrange a Meet the Form Tutor evening, enabling parents and children to meet the person who will play a vital part in their time with us. Pupils also come for a taster day during which they sample a wide range of lessons, one of which this year, saw Mrs Clarke and Mr Blunt from the History department, dressed in medieval costume, constructing wattle and daub walls. Miss stone visits the primary schools once again to take part in a question and answer session with pupils in both Year 5 and 6.
A lot of transition work also goes on behind the scenes and we are very proud of the close links we have forged with our Primary partner schools. We have established common guidelines on assessment and are currently in the process of building even stronger links with subject co-ordinators in the primary schools and the subject specialists in Pontllanfraith.
We have achieved a great deal in making transition really effective for pupils, parents and teachers and look forward to building even closer links so that our pupils move seamlessly from their primary schools into their Year 7 classes.
There is an annual Summer Cluster Concert that takes place in June involving Year 5 pupils from feeder schools and Pontllanfraith pupils. Pupils are taught the songs in their primary schools by Pontllanfraith staff and attend a rehearsal day in our main hall. The evening performance is a great opportunity for pupils to experience performing arts at Pontllanfraith and get to know pupils and teachers