Thirsk School & Sixth Form College

Transfer from primary school to secondary school is a time when students often feel both a sense of excitement and of apprehension. Students look forward to a new environment and the challenge of different subjects. They generally approach the secondary school with a determination to work hard and be successful. Early in the school year, the Head of Year 7 contacts every primary school in order to get to know every student and to see the children at work. Thirsk School & Sixth Form College works hard to ensure that early in their final year at primary school, any anxieties or fears are quickly removed so that students feel secure and confident about their transfer to the secondary school. We also offer Enrichment Days for year 5 students to give the children an earlier opportunity to spend time in the school. Liaison continues throughout the year and special attention is paid to the early identification of students with Special Educational Needs. In the summer term, students from primary schools spend a whole week at Thirsk School & Sixth Form College and a careful Induction Programme includes a tour of the school, meeting the form tutor and experiencing a wide range of lessons. Parents or Carers of primary school students are very welcome to visit the school at any convenient time. Formal tours of the school occur most weeks so that parents can see the school during a normal working day. Please contact the school if you would like to attend such a tour. During the Induction Week there is an Induction Evening for parents to ensure they are fully informed and fully prepared to support their child’s transfer into secondary school. Where parents wish students to be admitted other than for the beginning of Year Seven, they are asked to contact County Hall to arrange for an application form to be sent. Parents are asked to contact the appropriate Head of School/College who will then arrange to send them the necessary information and organise a meeting and tour around the school. Once a place has been allocated from County, and the necessary information from the child’s previous school has been obtained. If necessary, we will organise a planning meeting with the family to ensure children settle well.