Transition to Cams Hill School
Whilst most pupils enrol at the school during the main admissions round, it is not unusual for school places to become available in all year groups, for example when families move out of the area. If you are keen for your child to join Cams Hill School, please contact our Admissions Secretary who will be able to advise on your next steps.
YEAR 6 TO YEAR 7 TRANSITION
Please read the information below in conjunction with the information provided on our ‘Admissions’ page.
The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant milestone in the lives of children and their families. At Cams Hill School we aim to provide our pupils, parents and carers with a smooth and personalised transition and settling-in programme so that pupils arrive on their first day in September feeling ready and excited to join our wonderful school community.
We aim to provide pupils with a rich and vibrant learning experience through our curriculum and other activities, with many opportunities and challenges, to help them to develop into confident, well-qualified individuals, ready for the next steps in their education, future training and employment.
WORKING WITH PRIMARY SCHOOLS
The transition programme is supported by the relationship we have with very many local primary schools. To maximise potential, primary and secondary school teachers work together to develop a curriculum that prepares pupils for future learning and builds on previous learning. Cross-phase activities take place during the year with both primary and secondary school pupils enjoying the benefits of working together and for primary pupils to experience the secondary school environment.
WHERE OUR PUPILS COME FROM
THE TRANSITION PROGRAMME
In the Spring Term, the Year 7 team make visits to primary schools to speak with the Year 6 teachers about every pupil offered a place at Cams Hill School and also with the pupils to answer their questions and to describe life at Cams Hill. A welcome pack is sent to parents/carers once the offer of a place has been accepted; this contains a raft of information about the school’s routines and procedures, key dates, as well as information about the transition programme.
Cams Hill School Welcome Pack 2023
Academic Information
Key Stage 2 SATs results are used to help inform teachers about the prior attainment and ability of pupils. We also gather from conversations with primary school teachers regarding aptitudes for subjects, strengths and areas for development, interventions that have helped pupils to learn and teachers’ judgements of pupils’ overall ability.
Enhanced Transition
It is usual for some pupils to need more support. Our ‘Enhanced Transition’ programme. This involves one-to-one tours and small-group visits to Cams Hill before the major transition events for all pupils. Our SENCo makes contact with the SENCos at the primary schools to ensure that pupils with SEN have the support they need, and that important information is handed over. Some pupils may also visit our Nexus centre to look at programmes of support on offer here.
Tutor groups
Pupils are placed into mixed ability tutor groups using all the information given to us by primary school teachers; this will include information regarding issues which may exist (past and present) between pupils and need to be considered. We are not able to take into account ‘best friends’ and cannot guarantee that pupils will be placed in a group with their closest friends. Tutor groups C 1-5 study French while H 1-5 study Spanish. In the essence of a successful transition to Cams Hill pupils will be allocated a tutor group on multiple factors, this will not be determined by language choice.
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Year 6 Transition Days
Your child will be invited to join us on a transition days in July where they will have the opportunity to meet the rest of their tutor group, make new friends, attend new and exciting lessons and meet members of staff and pupils. It is the case that the children feel much more confident and reassured about the move to secondary school after their ‘Transition Days’ have taken place and eager to return!
Matthew Soundy (Harrison Primary School)
The transition day made moving up to Cams Hill feel much easier. The teachers were very welcoming and gave us clear instructions so we knew what to do. As soon as I learnt my way around I felt very happy to be part of Cams Hill.
Oliver Hare (Northern Primary)
My transition was very good and the school helped me to settle in. I have enjoyed seeing Barney and I felt supported in settling in. I love the food and really enjoyed my induction day.
Summer Thompson (Castle primary)
I came up to Cams Hill only knowing a few people from my primary but the induction helped me to meet new friends and after my first week I felt more settled in. My tutor has really helped me to feel welcome and has answered lots of my questions.
Emilia Hughes (St Judes Primary)
I was really excited for my induction day and loved meeting new people and seeing the school. We have 2 really good buddies who are in Year 9 and they have helped us to get around the school site and not get lost. They were really helpful in settling us in.
Mackai Lundregan (Wicor Primary)
I found my induction day good as it was nice to see what tutor base I would be in for September, meet new friends and I found all the teachers to be really nice and kind. After 2 weeks in September I really felt like a Cams Hill pupil.
YEAR 7 FAMILIARISATION, TEAM BUILDING AND SETTLING-IN
Activities week
We run a popular and affordable fun-filled Activities Week during the summer holidays for Year 6 pupils who are going to start at Cams Hill in September; this week of sports and other activities is delivered by Cams Hill School staff and helps pupils to familiarise with the school site, grow in confidence and make new friends before the beginning of the school year. Many of our pupils feel strongly that this has enabled them to make new friends and feel more confident starting to navigate the school site.
Buddies
When pupils arrive in Year 7, they are nurtured by the Year 7 team, their tutors and the brilliant Year 9 pupil buddies, who will mentor and support them whilst they find their feet. Each tutor group is allocated two buddies from Year 9 to support their induction into school life.
Settling-In Evening
In October, parents and carers are invited into school to meet with their child’s tutor and discuss how they have settled-in to the school. Parents/carers are able to meet the tutor and discuss any queries they may have about their child’s transition.
Any questions?
Please do look at the rest of our website which provides you with lots of information about our school. Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact our transition team – Miss S Haynes (Head of Year 7), Mrs J Braisher (Assistant Head of Year 7), Miss K Neil (Assistant Head of Year 7) Miss S Jenns (Admissions Secretary) and Mr A Haines (SENCo).
Thank you for taking the time to look at our Transition information and we look forward to meeting you and your child when you arrive with us at Cams Hill School.
The First Steps of your Journey
| 29 September 2022 | Open Evening |
| 1 March 2023 |
National Offer Day Parents and carers will be advised of the place allocated to their child. Any queries please contact Hampshire County Council Admission Team. |
| 1 March 2023 | Data received by Cams Hill School of those pupils who have been allocated a place from September 2023. |
| End of April 2023 | ‘Welcome pack’ sent to parents and carers. This letter will detail the up and coming transition events that will take place before your child joins us in September 2023. |
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July 2023 (TBC)
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Year 6 Transition Day All pupils will be invited to attend a day of new and exciting lessons and a chance to make new friends with those other pupils joining us in September 2023. |
| July / August 2023 (TBC) |
Activities Week Year 6 into 7 Activities Week |
| September 2023 (TBC) |
Autumn Term Year 7s first day of term |