Holy Trinity, Swiss Cottage Year 6 Transition Project
Our school vision tells us that those who have hope in the Lord will have renewed strength (Isaiah 41:30). This biblical promise underpins our Year 6 transition programme, which aims to give our leavers strength and hope as they transfer to Year 7 and begin a new stage of their lives at secondary school. This is especially important as a high percentage of our children are from disadvantaged backgrounds and many parents/carers are unfamiliar with the British education system (over 50% of our children are from Kosovo and Albania).
The transition workshops are run by our parish church (known as The Lighthouse) and held on its premises, which is a three-minute walk from our school. They are a celebration of the previous seven-year relationship the children have had with the church, its clergy, staff and members. Mental health and well-being underpin the session with a focus on having a ‘kingdom mind-set’ which allows them to flourish in a new environment. In small groups facilitated by church leaders, children and staff grow in faith and confidence through interactive prayer, biblical story-telling and drama. Children are also given scenarios to solve, enabling them to be equipped with the tools to make good choices as they navigate the challenges of starting in a new school.
Staff and children report that the sessions give them a quiet time in the school day to reflect on and evaluate the journey they have been on at Holy Trinity. They talk about the strength they have gained from each other to pursue their aspirations and how they can support each other going forward. Children say they know they will always belong to the Holy Trinity and Lighthouse family and return regularly once their primary years have finished. They visit in different capacities, sometimes to say hi and at other times to share worries, concerns and seek support. The end of Year 6 workshop is a statement of their value and significance to this community and provides an opportunity for them to know and understand how the Christian faith can make a real difference to people at times of challenge and change.