Primary to Secondary Transition

Year 6 into 7 Transition Arrangements 

All students who have been offered a Year 7 place at The Archbishop’s School are invited into the school for transition in July of the year student's are due to start with us. Students get to meet their new tutor and experience a typical school day. 

There will be additional support for students who are likely to struggle with the move to the secondary environment. This may also include students who are coming alone or with very few other students from their primary school. These students will be identified by their primary school and members of our staff will liaise with each primary school to fully understand the needs of these individuals.

Why do we have a transition programme?

Our transition programme is designed to ensure that our new students:

  • will be extremely enthusiastic about starting and feel ‘special’.
  • are eager to ask questions.
  • are able to air their worries and discuss fears with like-minded children.
  • enjoy meeting and getting to know school staff.
  • meet current students who have been through the transition process before.
  • form friendships within their tutor groups.
  • mix with students from different primaries.
  • feel a huge confidence boost, especially from frequent visits to the school.
  • understand the school site and environment.

Transition Event - July 2025

Our 2025 Transition event will be held from Tuesday 01 July - Friday 04 July 2025. Below is a table listing the days of when our feeder schools will be joining us for Transition this year:

Current School Name

 

Transition Event Attendance Days
Adisham Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Barham Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Blean Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Boughton-under-Blean and Dunkirk Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Canterbury Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Chartham Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Elham Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Goodnestone Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Green Park Community Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Hampton Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Herne Bay Junior School All four days (Tuesday - Friday) 3 students will be given the choice for Wednesday as it is their sports day
Herne Church of England Junior School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Joy Lane Primary Foundation School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Littlebourne Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Ospringe Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Parkside Community Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Pilgrims' Way Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Salmestone Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Selling Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
St John's Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Whitstable All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
St Peter's Methodist Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
St Stephen's Junior School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Sturry Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Swalecliffe Community Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
The Churchill School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Thornden Wood Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Water Meadows Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Whitstable and Seasalter Endowed Church of England Junior School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Whitstable Junior School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Wickhambreaux Church of England Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Wincheap Foundation Primary School All four days (Tuesday - Friday)
Wingham Primary School Tuesday 01 July 2025;Thursday 03 July 2025 (theatre production day)

The following video was taken during our Transition event held in 2024. 

 


“I just wanted to thank you (and everyone involved) for giving “J” such an

amazing week. I have to admit I've been a bit of a nervous wreck. We changed “J’s” school last year and I was worried about another change so soon now that “J” is so happy and settled, but you've made “J” feel so welcome, and “J” has had the best time, and said it feels like home. And thank you to the kitchen for making “J” a gluten free cupcake, it really made “J’s” day! “J” doesn't often get cake, the gluten free ones cost £££. It's reassuring to know “J” will be so well cared for at Archbishop’s and “J” really can't wait to come back in September. Parent - Year 6 student (2024)

 

"I just wanted to send a quick thank you for the wonderful transition week. The boys loved it and cannot wait to be back 5th September. Thanks to all the staff for making it possible". Parent - Year 6 student (2023)


"May I please take this opportunity to thank the whole team who have supported in the transition process. As you know, (child) was so anxious on Monday morning but by the end of Tuesday (child) had absolutely no worries about starting with you in September. The additional time has been really beneficial for (child) and (child) already feels comfortable at Archbishops, meaning (child) can now look forward to starting in September rather than worrying all holiday. Thank you all so much for the amazing support and time (child) has had with you this week". Parent - Year 6 student (2023)