Year 6 Transition to Secondary School: Getting Prepared and the Assessment That Schools do not Tell You About
The transition from Year 6 to secondary school can be daunting for children, parents and even teachers.
Think Academy UK has consulted Miss Boyle, a Year 6 teacher from Essex, and put together this brief guide with everything parents need to know as they prepare their child for secondary school.
Getting started: The Year 6 transition to secondary school
Year 6 children are often confident and may feel quite grown-up given they are the oldest students in their school. Still, the transition to secondary school is a big change, and it is difficult to predict the impact it will have on a child.
In secondary school, pupils will continue studying the same subjects as they did in primary school. To begin with, some topics will be studied at the same level as in Year 6, serving as a refresher. Other topics will be more challenging from the start.
The Year 7 liaison officer and the assessment schools won’t tell you about
Before your child starts secondary school, their Year 6 teacher will receive a visit from the Year 7 liaison officer of the secondary school. The liaison officer will collect information about your child, including academic results and attendance records, and use these to conduct an assessment parent’s won’t be told anything about. This assessment is used to decide which ability level or SET your child should be placed in. Visit our website to learn more about this little-known assessment.
When should you apply for secondary school?
You should visit the website of your local authority to find out when applications open. This is also where you can find application forms for each school. The Good Schools Guide suggests applying no later than the end of October.
Not all schools accept applications at the same time. Grammar schools may require you to apply towards the end of Year 5, as you register for the 11+ exam.
How should you choose the right secondary school for your child?
To get started, it’s a good idea to refer to the Good Schools Guide and their ‘Find the best school for your child’ tool. This tool allows you to view all the schools in your area, and to learn more about their Ofsted ratings and entry requirements. You can also visit their website to learn more about open days.
Consider more than one secondary school!
It’s always a good idea to broaden your search by considering more than one school. If you are considering applying to a grammar school you should have a second choice in case your child’s 11+ results are not as good as expected. In this case, you may want to consider mainstream secondary schools with a grammar stream for their most able students.
Understanding the different types of secondary school before making the Year 6 transition to Year 7
Year 6 transition to fee-paying schools
Public schools
Public schools are highly selective fee-paying schools with top-notch facilities.
Independent schools
These private schools are also fee-paying schools. They set their own curriculum and have differing entry requirements; some of them use entrance exams.
Year 6 transition to non-fee-paying schools
Grammar schools
Grammar schools are highly selective schools that do not charge fees; students must sit the 11+ exam to apply. They often achieve excellent results, and some of them have connections to top universities.
State schools
These schools are funded by the government, and they do not charge fees. They follow a standard curriculum, such as the National Curriculum in England.
Faith schools
Faith schools are affiliated with a religion. They will accept students from all backgrounds, but may give priority to students who share the faith of the school.
Academy schools
These state schools are run by an independent trust, and have more freedom to choose their curriculum and approach. They can also set their holidays flexibly.
Entry requirements: Understanding how your child’s academic ability can affect the Year 6 transition to secondary school
Entry requirements differ significantly between schools. Regardless of the type of school you are applying to, it is important to always consider the catchment area. This is the geographical area from which a school chooses its students — private schools may be exempted, but all state schools use catchment areas.
11 Plus exam
I you’d like to send your child to a grammar school, then you will have to prepare for the 11+ Exam. This exam is usually taken at the beginning of year 6. In addition to the exam, some grammar schools may also interview applicants.
For independent school entry, students must sit an exam set by the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) in Year 6.
Secondary school open evenings and their importance for the Year 6 transition in 2021
In normal times, parents can visit schools for open evenings and tours. These are also a great opportunity meet teachers and current students. This year many of these events may be held virtually.
What should you do once you have made your choice?
Some local authorities allow you to apply to as many as six schools, but usually you will make three or four applications.
Once your child has been accepted, the school may invite you to an open day — this serves as a taster for your child.
How can you prepare your child for the Year 6 transition to secondary school over the summer holidays?
Many parents choose to let their child relax and enjoy the summer before they begin secondary school, but this can also be a useful time to prepare. At Think Academy UK, our Year 6 online maths course is designed to prepare students for secondary school using an interactive learning platform.
