Transitions

Introduction

Moving to Blackfriars Academy

We recognise that moving to a new school is an important step for every child and their family. To ensure that each pupil’s transition is as smooth, positive and successful as possible, we have a clear and comprehensive transition programme in place each year.

Our aim is for every child to arrive feeling welcomed, understood and prepared for their new school experience, with families reassured that their child’s transition has been carefully planned and supported.

Transition planning takes place throughout the summer term and involves close collaboration between our school, the pupil’s current school and their family. Information is shared to ensure that we understand each child’s individual needs, strengths, interests and experiences before they join us.

Families and current schools are kept informed throughout the process, with opportunities to share information, ask questions and work together to support each child. This collaborative approach enables us to plan effectively and ensure that appropriate support and arrangements are in place ahead of the new academic year.

We welcome pupils to our school from a range of settings and communities. Many of our new pupils join us from local primary special schools, including Merryfields School and Horton Lodge, and from mainstream schools across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire East.

Transferring to Post 16 Education

We recognise that transition is equally important when pupils are preparing to leave us and take their next steps beyond year 11. As part of this process, we have a clear transition action plan in place to support each pupil in moving successfully to their next setting.

We work closely with the colleges and other settings our pupils are moving on to, sharing relevant information about their individual needs, strengths, interests and aspirations. We also ensure that the Preparation for Adulthood work undertaken during their time at Blackfriars is shared and built upon, helping to provide continuity and ensure that their next setting is well prepared to support them.

After year 11, many of our pupils progress to one of our local specialist colleges, which include Newfriars College, Regent College and Strathmore College. Other pupils move on to mainstream college placements, such as Newcastle College, Stoke College and Reaseheath College.

Whatever their next step, we work closely with pupils, families and their new settings to ensure that the transition is carefully planned, well supported and focused on each young person’s individual goals and future aspirations.

Further Information

 

Transitioning into Blackfriars

We understand that starting a new school is a significant step for both pupils and their families. Our transition process begins well before a pupil joins us, giving us time to get to know each young person and ensure that the right support, provision and arrangements are in place from the outset.

 

Year 6 Parent/Carer Open Event

Early in the autumn term, we hold a year 6 Parent/Carer Open Event where families are invited to attend a presentation and guided tour of the school. This provides an opportunity to find out more about Blackfriars, meet members of staff and gain a better understanding of our provision, helping families to make an informed decision about the next step that is right for their child.

 

Getting to Know Each Pupil

Once a placement at Blackfriars has been confirmed by the Local Authority, members of our staff visit each pupil in their current setting. These visits are an important part of our transition planning and allow us to begin getting to know the pupil in their familiar environment.

We work closely with their current school to understand their strengths, interests, individual needs, current level of learning, classroom environment and the equipment and resources that support them. This information helps us to begin planning for a smooth and successful transition to Blackfriars.

As part of this process, we use a Transition Information Form to gather key information from the pupil’s EHCP, their current school and our own visits and observations. This enables us to develop a clear understanding of the provision each pupil will require and identify any reasonable adjustments that need to be made to support their successful start.

 

Working in Partnership with Families

During the spring term, we hold Parent/Carer Coffee Mornings to help families prepare for their child joining Blackfriars. These informal sessions provide an opportunity to discuss practical matters such as uniform, ParentPay and how the school operates, as well as to meet staff and ask questions.

Most importantly, the Coffee Mornings provide families with an opportunity to talk with staff about their child as an individual — sharing what they know about their child, what works well for them and what they feel will help them to settle and thrive in their new environment.

Key professionals, including the School Nurse and Physiotherapists, are also available at these events, alongside relevant members of the school team. Families receive a Blackfriars Academy Information Pack containing important information and the forms they need to complete before their child starts with us.

 

Transition Visits

Pupils are then invited to visit Blackfriars as part of their transition programme. Initially, these visits are supported by staff from their current school, helping each young person to feel secure and confident in their new surroundings.

Pupils usually begin with a morning visit before gradually building up to full-day visits. We typically arrange three transition visits, although we recognise that every pupil is different. Where a young person requires additional support or further opportunities to become familiar with the school, we will develop an individual transition plan to meet their needs.

During their visits, pupils will spend time with other young people who may be in their class when they join us in September. This also gives our staff valuable opportunities to observe pupils in the school environment and ensure that they are placed in the most appropriate group, taking account of their academic, social and emotional needs.

Each pupil is provided with a Transition Booklet to help them become familiar with our school, the people they will meet and what they can expect when they join us.

We understand that the period between leaving a current school and starting at Blackfriars can feel like a long time for some pupils. Where a pupil benefits from additional visual support, we provide resources such as visual timetables, photographs and other personalised information to share with the pupil and their family over the summer holidays.

Through this carefully planned and collaborative approach, we aim to ensure that every pupil feels welcomed, understood and prepared for their move to Blackfriars Academy while giving families confidence that their child’s individual needs have been considered at every stage.

Transport to Blackfriars

Some families will make their own arrangements to transport their child to and from school. However, if your child requires travel assistance to be provided by the Local Authority you will need to apply for transport, as soon as possible once the placement at Blackfriars has been confirmed by the Local Authority, via the online transport portal.

On the website you will be able to read the criteria for the receiving transport, and you will be able to state why your child needs transport – see further information in the ‘Transport’ section

Transition to College

Moving from Blackfriars to further education is an important next step in every young person’s journey. Our transition planning begins well before pupils leave us, giving pupils and their families time to explore the available options, consider their aspirations and make an informed decision about their future.

 

Starting to Explore Options

Transition planning begins during the Year 10 EHCP review meeting when we start to explore each young person’s aspirations for the future and consider how different post-16 education and college options could support them to achieve their goals.

At this meeting, we discuss the types of settings that may be appropriate for each pupil and provide families with information about colleges and other post-16 options to explore. Families are encouraged to visit potential settings during the summer term, including attending college Open Days where available.

Starting this process early gives pupils and their families time to explore different options so that, by the beginning of Year 11, they have a clear understanding of which post-16 destination may best meet their child’s individual needs, interests and aspirations.

 

Year 11 Transition Planning

During the autumn term of Year 11, we hold interim transition review meetings with parents and carers. This provides an opportunity to review the EHCP and to ensure there is a clear preference for their post-16 destination.

Having a clear preference at this stage enables us to work with families and the SEND team within the relevant Local Authority to support the formal application and placement process.

We strongly encourage families to visit potential colleges before this meeting. College Open Days and individual visits provide an invaluable opportunity to see the environment, meet staff, explore the curriculum and support available, and consider whether the setting is a good fit for the young person’s future aspirations and needs.

 

Applying for Mainstream College

Where a mainstream college is the preferred post-16 destination, it is important to note that families will need to complete both parts of the application process.

In addition to confirming your preferred destination with the Local Authority as part of the EHCP process, pupils wishing to attend a mainstream college will also need to apply directly to the college for a place and the course they wish to study.

We encourage families to begin exploring courses and application requirements early, so that they have plenty of time to complete the college’s admissions process and ensure that all relevant information and supporting documentation is provided.

 

Sharing Information and Preparing for the Move

Once a college placement has been confirmed by the Local Authority, we work closely with the receiving college to ensure the transition is carefully planned, and our pupils are well prepared for their next step.

We work in partnership with the pupil, their family and the receiving college to identify any additional support, reasonable adjustments or arrangements that may help to make the transition as successful as possible.

As part of this process, our staff complete Transition Information Forms, bringing together key information about each young person. This includes their individual needs, strengths, interests, current provision and the strategies, resources and support that help them to learn, communicate and participate successfully. Sharing this information with the college helps staff to develop a good understanding of the young person and to plan appropriately for their arrival.

Pupils are also supported to visit their new college before they leave Blackfriars Academy. These visits provide valuable opportunities to become familiar with the new environment, meet staff, explore the facilities and begin to experience what life at their new setting will be like.

Our aim is to ensure that every young person leaves Blackfriars Academy feeling prepared, confident and positive about their next step, while ensuring that their new setting has the information and understanding needed to continue supporting their individual needs, strengths, aspirations and Preparation for Adulthood journey.

Transport to College

Post 16 transport will be discussed during your child’s Year 10 and 11 EHCP review meetings.

There is no automatic entitled to home to school/college travel assistance after the end of Year 11. As soon as your child’s placement has been confirmed by the Local Authority (i.e. it is named in the EHCP) you will be able to apply via the County Council’s online portal for transport. On the website you will be able to read the criteria for the receiving transport, and you will be able to state why your child needs transport.

For more information on post 16 transport see the information in our Transport section.