Stainburn’s main Primary Partners are Ashfield, Derwent Vale, Northside, Seaton and Victoria Schools, but we also have a number of pupils transferring from other Workington primary schools and maintain strong links with these schools. Stainburn greatly values its links with our Primary Partners and there are activities taking place at Stainburn throughout the year – from sport and music events to problem solving and gifted & talented days, as well as special theme days like the annual Roald Dahl Day. Subject links are strong. Modern Foreign Language teachers from Stainburn regularly teach French or German in our Primary Partner Schools and Ashfield pupils are weekly visitors to Stainburn to play the steel drums. Singing is another Stainburn – Primary venture with joint choir performances in our Stainburn concerts.
Key Stage 2 to 3 Transition
The transition process between Year 6 and 7 continues all year, beginning with our Open Evening in September and following through to our Year 7 pupils settling into their Vertical Tutor Groups and their class teaching groups by the following September. Parents/Carers receive an information pack from the Local Authority, which explains how to make decisions about their child’s secondary education. Families are invited to submit their preferences, usually by the end of October. The allocation of places is carried out by the School Places Team and places are offered, around the end of February/beginning of March.
At this point, Stainburn begins the process of transition/induction of the Year 6 to 7 pupils with a welcome letter, followed by several communications about events and visits to school during the coming months.
Our transition staff make several visits to the primary schools and speak at length with your child’s teacher/s in order to give the best possible start to life at Stainburn. Pupils who may need extra transfer time and support are identified, and follow an extended transition programme over several weeks or months where appropriate. Special needs – educational, medical and emotional are all discussed and plans put in place with the advice and guidance from our Primary Partner schools. Some pupils may be helped to adjust to secondary school life, by our Learning Mentor team.
Subject links are strong. There are several PE activities, Mathematical and scientific experiences and Ashfield pupils are weekly visitors to Stainburn to play the steel drums. Singing is another Stainburn – Primary venture with joint choir performances in our Stainburn concerts.
