Hawthorns School

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Transition to Secondary School

Transition to secondary school can be an anxious time for our pupils and their families.

We work closely with all secondary schools which have been named as possible placements for our pupils to ensure the transition is as smooth and comprehensive as possible.

The transition process includes discussions with families during Year 5 reviews in regards to suitable secondary placements and advice to visit and find out what provision is available through research and visits.

You may wish to consider any of the Special schools within Tameside:

Samuel Laycock School, Ashton– for children with significant moderate learning difficulties and autism
Cromwell School, Dukinfield – for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties and autism with Learning difficulties.
Thomas Ashton School, Hyde– for children with social, emotional and mental health needs

Parents may also wish to consider mainstream schools, other SEN schools within the New Bridge Trust or specialist ASC provision out of borough.

Autumn Term

In September when a child is in Year 6, parents will receive email information from Tameside
informing them of the formal admission process to secondary schools.

The link below contains all relevant information.

Moving On

Moving On

Parents are advised to visit prospective schools during the day and formal Open Evenings so both parents and child know what the school is able to offer.

The SEN Team is available to provide special educational needs advice. Please call them on 0161 342 4433.
Tameside Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information Advice and Support (IAS) Service (SENDIASS) provides confidential, impartial information, advice and support on education matters and health and social care issues in relation to education: Telephone: 0161 359 8005 or visit their website: Together Trust

Parents / carers of children with an EHCP are not formally required to complete an application but it is advised that they indicate their preferences for special and / or mainstream schools.

Where the council concludes that the needs of a child can be met in a mainstream school and the parents / carers have not provided the name of a mainstream school on the application the council will proceed with naming the mainstream high school closest to the home of the child
Parents should complete the online application form by the stated deadline (end of October), stating preferred secondary placement.

Please contact school if you need support.

Spring Term

The council considers:

  • the review documents from Year 5
  • parental preference indicated on the Common Application Form
  •  any discussions with parents
  • consultation feedback from potential secondary schools
  • the requirements of the SEN Code of Practice
  • National Offer Day for School Place confirmation is 1st March 2023. Any appeals should be made on the online appeal application form.
An updated EHCP will be sent to parents before 12 February 2023.This will ‘name’ the Year 7 placement.

Summer Term

  • Parents will work with school to prepare for transition to secondary school
  • Class staff support children in the classroom in regards to ‘changes’ as part of our work on Social and Emotional aspects of learning
  • Planned visits to school by secondary staff to introduce themselves and get to know the pupils.
  • There will be an opportunity for school staff to discuss pupils in detail with secondary staff.
  • A programme of planned visits for pupils to their secondary school to coincide where possible with the local authority transition days. Pupils are accompanied to and from their new school by class staff where possible
  • Additional visits planned where necessary to meet the needs of individual pupils.
  • A detailed pen portrait of each pupil including individual behaviour plans/social stories/ signs and symbols/health care plans and appropriate medication will be handed to the secondary school on arrival for visits