Transition events

The transition journey for Year 7 started in June 2024 for most students. Myself and Mrs Hill (PSM) met them via various visits to local primary schools; delivering assemblies or more intimate meetings for those further afield. Entering these assemblies we could feel the anxiousness buzzing between students that slowly eased by the end of their first encounters with their soon to be year team. In these meetings our aim was to share what students could expect when they arrived at Lealands and begin to build a positive relationship as their main support system at school. Later in the month, both students and parents were invited to our Transition Evening. It was a splendid opportunity for both parents and students to meet crucial staff including their tutors and they even got to see displays of their upcoming curriculum. Before school had finished for the summer, students had the opportunity to attend the annual Year 7 transition day at Lealands, spending the day in a variety of lessons to really get a chance to see what Lealands is all about before starting in September.

Summer School

During the first week of the summer holiday, Mr Payne ran our Year 7 Summer School, with the support of myself and a number of fantastic teachers and assistants. The wee was an absolute pleasure! We opened the school to 102 students, who enjoyed a variety of activities including; team building, P.E, dance, drama and art. It was phenomenal to watch students build friendships throughout the week, really boosting their confidence for the journey they would begin in September. 

The Gold Ties have landed!

On Wednesday September 4th, the gold ties landed and their journey to success began! Year 7 were greeted by Mrs Hill on the gate. They then saw myself and their tutors welcoming them to their new school. A range of emotions were peering back at us. Year 7 were fortunate to have the building to themselves for some time as the first year group in that day. Students started with an assembly, myself brimming with encouragement and enthusiasm about what was to come and focusing on our Lealands core values ‘Excellence, Responsibility and Respect’. Once assembly was finished students went off to spend time with their tutors completing a variety of activities to build rapport with each other and their tutors. The relationship between students is key as their tutor is their first point of call with concerns each morning and their biggest ‘cheerleader’ on any day to day issues. Some of the activities included ‘find someone who bingo’, ‘know your place fire alarm prep’ and more practical activities like face recognition. As myself and Mrs Hill walked the halls we passed classes filled with joy and smartly dressed pupils.

Break time was a welcomed time to relax and run off all that nervous energy they had built up over the summer. Students had the opportunity to taste the array of wonderful food and drink the catering team had to offer. I took great joy in seeing them socialise, forming connections that, for many, will last a lifetime.

After break, students returned to their tutor groups and began to complete Behaviour Curriculum lessons. This was new to Lealands this year and all year groups completed the same 9 lessons over an 8 day period. I believe this was an incredibly beneficial opportunity for Year 7 who learned straight away the expectations of a Lealands’ student. Students were clearly taught the expected behaviour for both classroom conduct and around the school building. This gave students clarity and security in what they can expect from staff and other students ensuring their experience is a safe, happy and successful one.

Year 7 have now been here for almost 6 weeks and to say they are beginning to make their mark is an understatement; Year 7 are in every way ‘golden’ just like their ties! I have been impressed time and time again by the resilience, kindness and enthusiasm I have seen amongst this cohort. Mrs Hill and I have had a number of compliments from staff about how well students have started Year 7 this year.

I am excited to support Year 7 on their journey to success! I shared my favourite quote with them in our first assembly, ‘Embrace the past, address the present and change the future!’ I am confident that students in Year 7 have embraced all that brought them to the gates of Lealands and are currently making positive choices to ensure their future is incredibly bright! Please congratulate Year 7 for making such a fantastic start to the year. 

Lastly, a huge shout out to 77IM who have really shone this half term collectively achieving 6172 STEPs and a massive well-done to our Top 10 stars:

Rohan (77IM) (282), Coby (72CM) (258), Danny (74ST) (258,) Rishikesh (72CM) (256), Caleb (77IM) (251), Vienna (71BG) (249), James (71BG) (246), Amanda (77IM) (244), Gabriela (77IM) (241), Mason (77IM) (240). 

Onwards and upwards!

Mrs Best, Head of Year 7