Primary-Secondary Transition

In the Spring Term a senior member of Ousedale’s staff visits the Headteacher of each of our primary schools to discuss children individually. On the basis of the information given us by the school and their primary class teachers, children are then grouped into forms.

It is our practice to have each form composed of children of all academic abilities. We pay close attention to the recommendations of the Headteachers of the primary schools. For example, on their advice, we may keep children together or separate them. Once the arrangements for grouping have taken place the Head of Year visits all the primary schools to meet the children. This takes place in the Summer Term. Children in our contributory primary schools embark upon a “Bridging Project” which is curriculum work in preparation for Ousedale. Next arrangements are made for the children to visit us for half a day.

“New” parents are invited to a parents’ meeting in early July when they can meet their child’s form tutor and pass on any information they wish kept confidential.

In spite of the size of the school we find that these arrangements ensure that on their first day here our “new intake” children find their way around very quickly and are down to work during the morning. There is, in addition, a further Parents’ Evening in mid-autumn with tutors and the Head of Year.