Secondary Transfer

Open Events for Student Entry – Autumn Term

The school holds one Open Evening each academic year, during which prospective students and their parents/carers are invited to tour the facilities and hear the Headteacher speak about the school.

Secondary Transfer Open Evening 
Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Doors open at 5.30pm, Headteacher Talks 5.45pm & 7.00pm

Visits to the School for Year 6 (Year 7 entry in September 2026)

School in Action tours are available for Year 6 students and their parents/carers who would like to visit the school. These tours provide an opportunity to meet the Headteacher, explore the school buildings and facilities, see students and staff at work, ask questions, and experience St Mary’s on a typical school day. Details of tour dates and booking information can be found on the Home page.

Visits to the School for Year 5 (Year 7 entry in September 2027)

School in Action tours for Year 5 students and their parents/carers will be available during the Spring and Summer Terms 2026. These tours provide an early opportunity to experience a mainstream secondary school, meet staff, and explore the facilities ahead of transition to secondary education in Autumn 2027. Details of tour dates and booking information can be found on the Home page, at the beginning of the Autumn Term.

Transition Programme for New Year 7 Students

The transition programme for students joining St Mary’s runs throughout the year and is designed to help new students become familiar with the school, its buildings, staff, and fellow students, as well as the standards and expectations of school life. Our transition programme for students joining Year 7 in September is outlined below.

Welcome Evening – Spring Term

Upon confirmation of your place at St Mary’s, Year 6 students and their parents/carers are invited to attend a Welcome Evening. Further details will be provided nearer the time.

The headteacher writes to all families allocated a place at St Mary’s, outlining the transition programme, which begins on National Allocation Day in March and continues through to the first and second days of the new academic year.

Primary School Visits – Summer Term

Every student transferring to St Mary’s in September will be visited in their own primary school by a member of St Mary’s Transition Team. This reflects our commitment to getting to know every child as an individual before they join the school.

These visits provide an opportunity for students to share their aspirations, interests, and any other information they would like us to know. They also enable St Mary’s staff to meet with Year 6 teachers and gather information to support a successful transition to secondary school.

New Year 7 Targeted Parent/Carer Meetings – Summer Term

These meetings will be offered to any parent/carer whose child has special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), or where additional support may be required to ensure a smooth and successful transition to St Mary’s.

New Year 7 Parent/Carer Information Evening – Summer Term

All parents/carers of our new Year 7 cohort are invited to an Information Evening towards the end of the Summer Term, held on the evening before Transition Day, when all new students are invited into school. The evening includes a welcome from the Headteacher, information about school systems and processes, opportunities to meet key members of staff, and the chance to order school uniform through our official supplier, Smiths Schoolwear.

Transition Day

New Year 7 students will spend Transition Day at St Mary’s, giving them the opportunity to become familiar with the school buildings, daily routines, dining facilities, and wider school environment. They will spend time with their tutor team and other members of staff, take part in a range of introductory activities, and experience some taster lessons. Students will also complete some baseline assessments to help us get to know them better and ensure they feel confident and prepared for their start at St Mary’s in September.