Dear Year Five and Six Parents and Carers,
The following is a quick update relating to secondary transfer this September (current Year Six) and in September 2021 (current Year Five).
Year Six
The Department for Education rightly listened to the overwhelming number of headteachers who saw Year Six as a priority for any expansion of numbers. The transition into Secondary School is a right of passage that can be very emotional for all pupils and their families. A lot of our current attention and certainly that of Year Six staff is to support this transition through communication with the schools that our pupils are due to attend in September.
In previous years, transition events take place that give our children a taster of their destination schools. It is hard to imagine how this could happen this year, however various scenarios are being considered and we will update you if plans are firmed up. Similarly, in-school events like the Year Six production or the leavers' assembly are unlikely to proceed as usual, but we will do everything that we can to focus on the wellbeing of this cohort in preparation for their journey into their new schools.
Year Five
A number of events relating to decision making for our Year Fives' transition to secondary are also, of course, on hold. We would hope that Secondary Open Evenings and taster days will be on the menu for the autumn term. I spoke to Kent Admissions, again, yesterday and they confirmed that no decision has been made relating to the Kent Test. It is important to note that key decisions relating to the Kent Test are not made by schools but are taken by KCC. As a result, it is likely that parents may be aware of decisions around the test before schools. We will, however, update you if plans are firmed up.
Many thanks for your understanding at this stressful time. Rest assured that pupil wellbeing will continue to be at the heart of our decision making.
Yours Phil