Transition
The move from primary to secondary school is an exciting milestone in every child’s educational journey. At Blessed Thomas Holford, we understand that this transition is a significant step and are committed to ensuring it is as smooth and positive as possible for both students and their families.
Seamless Transition – Building Strong Foundations for Success
The transition from primary to high school is a huge shift, both socially and academically. Students face a new set of standards and expectations, are introduced to large numbers of new children and a different structure to their school day.
At Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College we offer an extensive transition programme to aid students’ adaption to life as part of our family. Students will spend time at the College at different points in the summer term in order to familiarise themselves with our site and their new peers.
At our Welcome Evening, incoming students will spend time with their new form group and their form tutor while parents are given an overview of life at our College by the Headteacher, the Heads of Year 7 and our SEND team. The following day the new students will spend the day at our school experiencing a timetabled day of lessons and other activities. This allows them the chance to ‘taste’ what a day in the life of a BTHCC student is like.
There is also an opportunity for incoming students to come on a weekend day to take part in team building and sporting activities with their new form group which aids in familiarising themselves with their new peers.
For students on the SEND register there are further opportunities to visit the College, and these visits are coordinated by our SEND Transition lead.
The Heads of Year 7 conduct transition visits to the primary schools in the spring term in order to meet with primary teachers and staff so that all the relevant information can be passed over to us.
Mr CoxDarling, is the SENDCo here at Blessed Thomas Holford.
He has been teaching for over 20 years. Having taught in Primary schools in Australia, moving to the UK in 2006 and teaching secondary in both London and Wolverhampton. Since 2019 he has been leading on SEND, achieving his SENDCo qualification in 2020.
He enjoys knitting, Lego and listening to a good podcast.
Fun Fact: He grew up in the Australian Desert and had a kangaroo, emu and an Australian Magpie as a pet.
Our vision for young people who have a Special Educational Need and/or Disability is:
That we strive to promote a culture of high expectations and aspiration for all young people, including those with SEND, based on our fundamental belief in the dignity of all human beings. We recognise that students learn best where they feel happy and we strive to establish an environment where learners are supported, challenged, and can grow.
Mrs Walton is our SEND Transition Lead at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College and works closely with the Heads of Year 7 and SENDCo to plan and deliver a unique and robust transition programme for all students with SEND.
Mrs Walton supports both the children and their families throughout this exciting but often challenging time where she will visit primary schools, meet with staff and the children as well as arrange extra visits and be present at induction events.
Mrs Walton is committed to delivering the best transition support for new students and is always a friendly face for the children to see once they join our BTHCC family.
Our transition programme does not end once the children have started school in September; Mrs Walton along with the pastoral and SEND team will be there to guide our new students throughout their journey at BTHCC, however different that road may be. Some will need more support than others but everything that can be done to meet their needs both in and out of the classroom, will be done to ensure they feel happy, safe and are ready to learn.
Below is our Year 7 video giving an insight into college life at BTHCC
