Transition

At The Fernwood School we understand how vital the transition process is for all children and their families. Mr Rothwell - Assistant Headteacher in charge of Behaviour and Key Stage 3, has oversight of the Year 6/7 Transition and Induction process.

It is our absolute priority to make sure all children settle and feel like they belong at The Fernwood School, and that they feel happy and are motivated and inspired to learn.

Several key activities take place as part of the Transition and Induction process:

• Close liaison between key pastoral staff from The Fernwood School and individual Year 6 teachers from our feeder schools
• Assemblies and “Question and Answer” sessions for our 3 main feeder primary schools: Fernwood Junior School, Middleton Primary School, Southwold Primary School
• Close liaison between key pastoral staff from The Fernwood School with all Year 6 teachers from all primary schools with pupils coming to Fernwood (over 40 different schools)
• The 2 Transition and Induction days in July for children and families to have a flavour of what life at The Fernwood School will be like
• An Induction Evening meeting where families can meet their child’s tutor and share key messages about the ethos and expectations at The Fernwood School. This meeting cements how we will all work together to support each child’s pastoral development, academic progress and attainment.

Mr Rothwell (Assistant Headteacher) and Mrs Steans (SENDCo), alongside the Year 7 Pastoral Team Leader and Assistant Pastoral Team Leader, hold one-to-one meetings with Year 6 primary school staff to build a comprehensive individual profile for every pupil joining The Fernwood School.

During these meetings, all relevant medical, SEND, behavioural, pastoral and academic information is shared. In addition, pupils’ strengths and areas for development, character and personality, extra-curricular interests, and friendship groups are discussed.

Each year group consists of 300 pupils, who are organised into one of 12 new mixed-ability tutor groups. These groups are carefully constructed to ensure balanced classes, using all information provided by Year 6 teachers, including consideration of friendship groups wherever possible.

These tutor groups form the foundation of the “Fernwood Family” and underpin the pastoral care at The Fernwood School. Where possible, pupils remain with the same tutor throughout their five years at the school.

We ask families to read the Home-School Arrangement at an early stage, as this helps to establish and reinforce the positive, trusting relationships we build with all Fernwood families.