Year 7 Transition
Starting secondary school is an exciting milestone in every child’s journey — one filled with new opportunities, new friendships, and new challenges. At Cardinal Allen, we understand that the move from primary to secondary school can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming. That’s why we place great importance on a smooth and supportive transition.
Our transition programme begins early. We start working with pupils in Year 5, inviting them into school for subject taster sessions and to watch our school production, helping them become familiar with our staff, pupils, and environment in a fun and relaxed way. As they move into Year 6, we build on these experiences with additional visits, transition days, and tailored support to ensure that by the time they join us in Year 7, they already feel part of the Cardinal Allen community.
We work closely with our local partner primary schools, parents and carers to understand each child’s needs and to support them both academically and emotionally. Whether it’s through our pastoral care, open events, or dedicated transition activities, we’re committed to helping every pupil feel confident, welcomed, and ready for the journey ahead, we’re here every step of the way.
Whether you’re a pupil or a parent/carer, we’re excited to welcome you — and we look forward to being part of your next chapter.
Year 7 Team:
Form Tutor*
Mrs J Olver-Duffy Head of Lower School
Mrs K Holme Pastoral Assistant
Miss D Wilson-Fyall Year 7 Key worker
Mrs C Smith SENCO
Mrs L Garside Assistant Headteacher
* In Year 7, pupils will be placed into a form with around 28 other pupils and be assigned a form tutor, they will stay in the same form for the full 5 years.
Your journey to joining Cardinal Allen….
“Ready, Set, Belong- Your journey starts here!”
March
· Email from pupil access informing you of your child’s secondary school place
· Introduction from our Headteacher
You will receive a personal letter to welcome you and outline what to expect in the coming months.
· Post card from the Year 7 Team
Pupils will receive a personal post card through the post.
· Information gathering
The Year 7 team start to collect key pupil information from the Year 6 teachers
April-May
· Primary visits
The Year 7 team visits all primary schools to meet with the Year 6 teacher, SENCO and DSL to further collate important information
· Pupil visits
The Year 7 team meets all pupils at their primary school and provides them with a child-friendly leaflet to prepare them for their start with us and spends time with the pupils so they can ask any questions they have about their move to our school.
· ‘Applicaa’
Parents will receive an email with details on how to log in to ‘Applicaa’. Here parents will be able to access key information about the school including completing important forms.
· Year 7 Form Group Allocation
Parents will receive a letter detailing which form their child is in and who their form tutor is.
· Friendship Friday
Pupils who are joining us from a primary school on their own or in small numbers are invited into school on Friday 26th June for a morning transition session so they can meet with pupils in a similar position to them.
July
· Transition Evening
Pupils, parents and carers are invited into school on Wednesday 1 July; pupils will meet their Form Tutor and other pupils who are in their form. Parents/Carers will meet with the Headteacher to discuss how we support pupils during their transition and throughout. Parents/Carers will receive a Parent Handbook covering all the key information they need to know.
· Transition Day
Pupils are invited into school on Thursday 2 July for a full day visit when they will spend time with their form and experience taster sessions across a range of subjects, the day ends with a showcase from the performing arts team so that pupils can get a taste of school life. Lunch is provided on this day (more information can be found in the letter on ‘Applicaa’
. Year 7 Welcome BBQ
Friday 10 July
August
· Summer School
Pupils are invited to attend Summer School – dates to be confirmed. (Please sign up using the information provided on Applicaa). The Summer School enables pupils to make friends, get used to the school building and staff and experience taster sessions.
September
· First day
Pupils start with us on Thursday 3 September 2026.
· Year 7 information evening
Parents and Pupils are invited into school. More information to follow. We ask that every pupil is represented at this meeting.
LLC Padlet links:
Transition Padlet
Link to parent padlet: https://padlet.com/andreasandiford/Y6_Y7_Transition_Parents
Password: Y6Y7Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions for parents and pupils starting in September 2026. You will find the answers to many of your questions in the parent handbook that was given to you on intake evening (you will also find a copy of this on ‘Applica’), however if do cannot find the answer please do get in touch with us.
(Question is clicked to reveal the answer).
A: Thursday 3 September
A: The gates open at 8.30am, pupils must be on line up by 8.35am. School ends for Year 7 at 2.50pm Mon, Weds, Thurs and Friday. On a Tuesday the day finishes at 3:10pm.
A: Pupils will need to bring their PE kit and a pencil case containing a Pen, Pencil, Ruler, Rubber and Sharpener.
A: There is a tram stop at the end of Melbourne Ave and Bus routes for the number 1, 14 and 24. Pupils can cycle to school; we have two secure bike sheds one at the front and one at the back of school that is secure within our site.
A: You must phone the attendance line on 01253 872659, select option 1 for attendance and leave a voicemail.
A: We ask that you provide medical evidence for any appointments such as the orthodontist or hospital. Please email this to: medicalevidence@cardinalallen.co.uk
A: They can talk to their form tutor who they see in a morning, or they can talk to their pastoral assistant Mrs Holme or their Head of Year Mrs Olver-Duffy but any other adult in school will help them and guide them to the right member of staff for them to talk to.
A: We use an online platform for communication called Synergy. Details of how to log on to this will be provided to you when your child starts in September.
A: You will receive a report sent home electronically on Synergy detailing your child’s academic progress and effort after the assessment period.
A: These will be advertised to your child when they join us in September at the Freshers’ Fayre event.
A: Your child can purchase food at break and lunch in the Dining Hall. We are a cashless school therefore you will need to credit their account on ‘Scopay’ (log in details have been sent to you). Please note that the Daily spend limit is automatically set to £5.00, if you wish to increase/decrease this amount please contact finance@cardinalallen.co.uk. Your child will be provided will a pin code for them to use at the tills.
