Transition to Secondary
Helping pupils begin Year 7 feeling known, welcomed and ready to take their next step.
Choosing a secondary school is an important decision. Families want to know that their child will be happy, supported and understood, but also challenged, inspired and encouraged to aim high.
At Trinity, we bring those priorities together. Pupils join a caring and ambitious Secondary community where strong relationships, clear expectations, broad learning and wider opportunities help them grow in confidence and independence.
Our transition process begins before pupils arrive. We take time to help pupils become familiar with Trinity, build relationships and prepare for the opportunities and expectations of Year 7.
A planned and personal transition: pupils are supported before they arrive, throughout the move into Year 7 and as they become confident members of the Trinity Secondary community.
Why choose Trinity for Year 7?
Year 7 is a fresh start, but pupils should not feel that they are starting from zero. At Trinity, we take time to understand each child, build strong relationships and create a sense of belonging from the beginning.
Our Secondary Phase combines care and high expectations. Pupils are encouraged to develop their knowledge, discover new interests, take on greater responsibility and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
- a carefully planned transition before September
- staff who take time to understand each child
- Family Groups that help pupils feel known and supported
- broad and ambitious learning in Year 7
- new subjects, opportunities and responsibilities
- opportunities to take part, contribute and develop confidence
- additional transition support where it may be helpful
One school, one journey
As one school from Reception to Year 11, Trinity understands the journey children make as they grow from Primary pupils into confident and increasingly independent young people.
For pupils continuing from Trinity Primary, the move into Year 7 builds on familiar values, relationships and expectations. Our all through structure supports a joined up journey while opening the door to specialist teaching, new subjects and wider opportunities.
For pupils joining from other primary schools, our transition programme helps them become part of the Trinity community before September. Pupils have opportunities to meet staff and other children, experience the Secondary environment and begin building friendships.
Every pupil joins Year 7 as a valued member of the same community, with new opportunities to learn, contribute and grow.
Leadership that understands the Primary journey
Year 7 transition is led by Ms Amanda Harvey, Head of Primary and Head of Year 7.
Ms Harvey’s leadership across Primary and Year 7 creates a strong bridge between the two phases. Her understanding of the Primary experience helps shape a transition that recognises what children need as they move into Secondary, while supporting them to develop greater confidence, independence and ambition.
This means transition is not treated as a single event. It is a carefully supported stage in each pupil’s development.
A planned and personal transition
Transition begins before pupils arrive in September. We want families to feel informed, pupils to feel welcomed and staff to understand each child as an individual.
Our transition programme gives pupils opportunities to visit Trinity, meet staff and other pupils, experience learning, ask questions and become familiar with Secondary routines.
We also work with primary schools and families to gather information that helps us understand pupils’ strengths, interests, confidence, friendships and support needs before they begin Year 7.
How we support the move into Year 7
Year 5 trial days
Our transition work begins early. Year 5 trial days give pupils from local primary schools an opportunity to experience a day in the life of Trinity Secondary.
Pupils can take part in lessons, meet staff, explore the school and begin to imagine what Secondary school might feel like. These visits also give families an early opportunity to consider whether Trinity feels like the right fit for their child.
Open events and school visits
Visiting Trinity gives families an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the school, meet staff and pupils, and learn more about our curriculum, pastoral care and wider opportunities.
Seeing the school during the day can help families understand what Trinity feels like when pupils are learning, moving between lessons and taking part in everyday school life.
Preparing after offer day
Once places have been offered, transition becomes more personal. We share information with families, invite pupils into school and create opportunities for them to meet staff and one another.
Our aim is for pupils to arrive in September with familiar faces, a clearer understanding of Secondary life and a growing sense that Trinity is becoming their school.
Buddy and transition activities
Transition activities help pupils meet other children, begin building friendships and become more familiar with the school before September.
Through welcoming activities, visits and opportunities to ask questions, pupils can develop confidence and begin to feel part of the Trinity community.
Parent and carer information
Parents and carers receive information about routines, expectations, curriculum, pastoral care and the people who will support pupils in Year 7.
Families also have opportunities to ask questions and share important information about their child, helping us prepare carefully for the start of Year 7.
Additional transition support
Some pupils may benefit from additional reassurance or a more personalised transition experience.
Where appropriate, additional transition support may help pupils become familiar with the school, meet key adults and prepare for Secondary routines. Families are encouraged to share any concerns early so that appropriate support can be considered.
Transition day and summer opportunities
Transition day gives pupils an opportunity to spend time at Trinity with other pupils joining Year 7. They can experience learning, meet staff, learn about Family Groups and become more familiar with the school.
Where summer school is offered, pupils have an additional opportunity to build friendships, take part in activities and become more confident before the start of term.
Feeling known in Year 7
Support continues after pupils arrive. We want every pupil to know who they can speak to, feel part of a smaller community and develop the confidence to take increasing responsibility for their learning and school life.
Family Groups
Family Groups give pupils a smaller daily community within the wider Secondary school. Family Group leaders see pupils regularly and provide a consistent point of contact.
Family Group time supports pupils’ personal development and helps them prepare for the day, develop positive habits and build relationships.
Pastoral care
Year 7 pupils are supported by staff who help them understand routines, develop positive relationships and settle into Secondary life. Where pupils need additional help, staff work with families to understand concerns and consider appropriate support.
Broad and ambitious learning
Year 7 introduces pupils to the breadth and challenge of Secondary learning. Pupils build on the knowledge and skills developed in Primary while learning through a wider range of subjects and specialist teaching.
Our curriculum helps pupils develop knowledge, subject vocabulary, independence and strong learning habits. It also gives them opportunities to discover new interests, develop their strengths and prepare for future study.
Opportunities to belong and grow
Secondary school is about more than lessons. Pupils need opportunities to make friends, explore their interests, contribute to school life and discover strengths they may not yet know they have.
Through clubs, sport, music, drama, leadership, faith and wider enrichment opportunities, pupils can build confidence, develop relationships and become active members of the Trinity community.
The first day of Year 7
By the first day, we want pupils to feel prepared, welcomed and ready to begin.
Staff help pupils understand where to go, meet their Family Group, learn new routines and begin lessons. There are adults available to answer questions, provide guidance and help pupils settle into the rhythm of Secondary school.
Our aim is for pupils to begin Year 7 knowing that they belong at Trinity and that there are adults who know them, notice them and are ready to support them.
Support for families
Parents and carers may have questions throughout the transition process, from practical matters such as uniform, equipment and the school day, to questions about friendships, wellbeing, learning or additional needs.
Families are encouraged to contact the school if they have questions or concerns. Early communication helps us understand each child and work together as they begin Year 7.
A confident next step
Moving into Secondary school is a significant moment, but pupils do not take that step alone.
At Trinity, pupils are welcomed into a community where they can feel known, supported and challenged. Through careful transition, strong relationships, broad learning and wider opportunities, we help pupils begin Year 7 with confidence and ambition.
This is the next stage of the Trinity journey: growing in belonging, character, independence and readiness for the years ahead.
Find out more
Explore more about learning, support, opportunities and joining Trinity Secondary.