Please note the following dates relating to students starting Year 7 in September 2021:
Wednesday 23rd June 2021 : Welcome Evening for parents/carers of new Year 7 students.
Welcome Evening Presentation for Parents/Carers
Monday 23rd to Friday 27th August 2021 : Summer School for new Year 7 students.
Moving to a new school can be a daunting prospect, whether at the usual time of transition from primary to secondary school or later, as a mid-year transfer. In education it is acknowledged that a thriving son may lose potential during transition periods. At The John Fisher School we pride ourselves on providing our new students and parents/carers with a smooth and successful transition from primary school to secondary school.
We run a well-established transition programme for our future Year 7 students, developed through strong links with our feeder primaries. Our Transition Team has carried out this role for many years and are best equipped to support the transition process.
The following videos introduce you to some key members of staff and give you a tour of the school
Primary visits and talks
Contact with the primary schools will be made by members of staff from The John Fisher School. We work with pur primary colleagues in a variety of ways as we believe it is vital to understand and build on the work of primary schools giving the children the benefits of continuity. The Transition Team visit students at their primary school to learn something about them, their friendship groups and their likes and dislikes. They also take this opportunity to speak in detail with the class teacher about every student who has been allocated a place. They meet with individual students/small groups/classes, and observation of the students working in class.
Even when supportive transition interventions are put into place, many sensitive, vulnerable students find secondary school difficult or scary and are at risk of failing; they find the size, structure, procedures and work overwhelming and threatening. Without support and guidance these vulnerable groups can quickly become demotivated and disaffected. The John Fisher School supports all students equally to encourage them to build up emotional resilience, develop their sense of self-worth and belief in themselves, reduce the difficulties they may experience, prepare them for adult life and make their time at secondary school an enjoyable, worthwhile experience.
SEND Parents/Carers & Students
The SENDCO and Inclusion Team have a wealth of experience and provide a nurturing and caring environment in which to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
We believe effective help provided by the school at the start of the new term can play a significant role in the success of the transition process. Students who experience a successful transition typically greatly expand their friendships, and display higher levels of self-esteem and confidence once at secondary school. They also settle well into school life, demonstrate greater levels of interest in school and work. Starting at a new school often raises lots of questions for both students and their parents/carers. To help make the whole process as easy and enjoyable as possible we have created a booklet, which collects together all the essential information: Download the current 'New Year 7 Information Booklet' here. Much of this information can be found elsewhere on this website but it is all together in one booklet here to make it easier for those new to the school.
If you have any questions or queries, you can contact Mr Fell, Director of Learning for Year 7, at transition@johnfisherschool.org
JFS Handbook For New Parents