2021 Transition Welcome Booklet

Year 7 Welcome

2021 - 22

WELCOME From the Year 7 Transition Team at Cowes Enterprise College!

At Cowes Enterprise College we believe that it is vitally important that our students have as smooth a transition from primary school as possible.

Each year, we receive very positive feedback on our transition processes. Although this year our circumstances are very different, I can assure you that our processes will remain equally strong and supportive and that we feel excited about welcoming you and your child to our community here at Cowes.

We are very much looking forward to the academic year 2021-22 and working with our new year 7 students. It is difficult to say exactly what the situation in schools will be nationally by July. If possible, on Tuesday 13th July your child will have the opportunity to experience life at Cowes Enterprise College with a transition day and you will also be invited to a transition evening event on the same day. We guarantee you that if this event is unable to take place in person, we will ensure that we replicate these experiences virtually and that we will take every opportunity to get to know you and your child.

The Transition Team will also be based in reception to answer any questions and we look forward to seeing you.

Meet the Year 7 Transition Team

Mrs R Kitley Principal

Mr T Harding

Assistant Principal

Mrs C Thomas Head of Year 7

Mr W Harrison

Family Liaision Assistant

Miss L Pitman SENCO

DATA COLLECTION Important data collection and consent forms

Please click on the button below to provide all essential data and to sign consent forms prior to starting in September. The link will also be sent via email and text message.

The forms need to be completed before Friday 12th June.

CLICK HERE

360-DEGREE VIRTUAL TOUR AND VIDEOS Please click on the following link to access our 360-degree virtual tour of the academy where you can interactively look around the school, click on links to view information about each subject’s curriculum and view the entire site and surrounding area from above.

CLICK HERE

TRANSITION DAY

Tuesday 13th July | 8.30am – 2.45pm

Please be aware that this date is subject to change based on current government guidelines.

The aim of the day is to provide each student with a flavour of the learning they will experience with us in September and for them to familiarise themselves with the staff dedicated to their care and all of the routines and expectations of the academy. Please complete the photo consent form (click the data collection link on the previous page) to allow us to share pictures of your children on the Transition Evening. We hope that all students enjoy their day with us and by the end of the day, feel happy and secure about their transition to our academy in September.

Each student will receive their personalised timetable for the day from their tutor, on the morning of Transition day.

TRANSITION INFORMATION EVENING

Tuesday 13th July | 6.00pm – 7.30pm

Please be aware that this date is subject to change based on current government guidelines.

We would like to invite all parents and carers to a ‘Transition Information Evening’ on Tuesday 13th July 2021 from 6.00pm – 7.30pm. You will have the opportunity to meet the senior team at Cowes, have a look around the school, meet teachers and see what work has been produced during that day.

Simmonds, our school uniform providers, will be here to advise on uniform policy and to book appointments.

Caterlink, our canteen provider, will be producing a range of samples which you can try in our canteen.

Our family liaison assistant, Mr Harrison, will also be on hand throughout the evening to discuss any issues regarding attendance, first aid and medical needs.

LANGUAGE OPTIONS FOR YEAR 7 We are really excited to offer the opportunity for year 7s to opt for their preferred language choice. We aim for all students to have the opportunity to study their chosen option through from year 7 to year 11 with the potential to also select to study a second language along the way. The languages that we offer are French and Spanish.

Please could you complete the online data collection form where you will be able to select your child's preferred language choice. There is also an option to select ‘no preference’. We cannot guarantee all first choices will be successful but we shall accommodate as best we can.

ACCELERATE CLASS We are again delighted to offer our successful Accelerate Class in year 7, for selected students to quickly reach age-related expectations.

This class extends the primary model of the class with one specialist teacher for maths and English in order to accelerate student progress in this area. With outstanding teaching and learning opportunities, and a record of accelerated progress, this class still accesses the full breadth of the secondary curriculum with specialist teachers but in a slightly smaller class size.

The academy will be in contact further if your child meets the criteria for this class.

TRANSITION DAY GUIDANCE SHEET The next two pages detail the arrangements for the Transition Day to enable children and parents to prepare.

Arrival

Students need to arrive by 8.30am through the main college reception doors. They will be seated in the Main Inspiration Zone and will then be greeted by their tutors, introduced to their form classes for September and prepare to start their day.

Dropping off

Parents and carers can drop their children off outside the main entrance. Staff will be on-hand to greet students as they arrive and Mr Harrison (Family Liaison Officer) will be available for medical information. Please ensure that no drop-offs occur on the zig-zag lines directly opposite the academy.

End of day

The day finishes at 2.45pm, although all staff will make sure Year 6s are the first out of the building. If you are waiting for your child, please do so on the left-hand side by our nursery building, outside the main front entrance, so we can easily identify you.

If collecting by car, there are places either side of the main building as is the case with the morning drop off.

Equipment required

We ask that all students arrive ready to learn. They need to arrive in their primary school uniform and can bring a rucksack to hold their personal items. They will also need a school bag and a pencil case containing a minimum of: pens, pencils, ruler and rubber. A Casio fx-83GTX calculator is compulsory for September. It may be helpful for students also to bring a small diary to make notes during their visit.

TRANSITION DAY GUIDANCE SHEET

Break and lunch

The students transferring on the day will benefit from a slightly longer break and lunchtime to allow them time to become accustomed to our routines and procedures.

There is a dedicated inside and outside space available for them on these days, to help them settle in.

Please could we ask that all students bring a packed lunch with them to the academy on the transition day.

Notes

Please let us know of any medical conditions, including allergies, that we should be aware of prior to your son/daughter attending the transition day.

We ask that every student brings a water bottle with them for the day. There are facilities to re-fill this during break and lunch.

Cowes Enterprise College, An Ormiston Academy Crossfield Avenue, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8HB Tel: 01983 203103 Email: info@cowesec.org Website: www.cowesec.org