As thousands of primary pupils found out which secondary school they will be moving to in September, ASDAN has launched a programme of study for pupils aged 10 to 12. The course aims to help children make a successful transition from primary to secondary education through the development of key characteristics and attributes, such as confidence, social skills and learning strategies.
The programme, called Lift Off, was designed following a successful pilot in four Warwickshire schools – three primaries and a secondary – with backing from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Progression Trust.
The pilot helped children develop characteristics such as resilience, determination and self-worth. The results of the pilot showed that children who participated started secondary school feeling more positive about the experience, and less daunted. They were able to cope better with a changed environment and the prospect of meeting new friends and teachers.
Lift Off, which was launched on March 1, is made up of three modules – awareness, aspiration and attainment – each of which contains six characteristics that pupils will focus on to develop skills for progression to secondary. These include planning, communication, collaboration, problem-solving and self-efficacy.
The resources include a tutor resource pack, student book and certificates to reward learners’ achievements. The materials were developed from the most successful aspects of the pilot.
Alison Davies, headteacher of the Avon Valley School, in Rugby, the secondary school involved in the pilot, said: “We found that the pupils who took part were better able to verbalise their feelings and to talk about their individual characteristics.”
As a result, she added, pupils had greater control over their learning and development.
Northlands Primary School in Rugby also participated in the pilot. Tash Bonehill, assistant headteacher, said: “The pupils who participated in the programme improved their confidence and self-esteem and ended up making a more successful transition to secondary school. Soon after starting at the ‘big school’, they came back to tell me about their experiences and they spoke about secondary education in such positive terms, saying they were really enjoying it.
“Some learners said they were in the top set in maths, which they were very pleased about. My pupils from the previous year had also come back to see me but were less positive, instead referring to their secondary school experience as simply ‘okay’.”
For more information, visit www.asdan.org.uk/lift-off