Transition to Stowmarket High School September 2020

The transition process at Stowmarket High School is an important one. Our transition process started in October with our Open Evening and school tours.   It is extremely important to us that when your child begins Year 7 in September 2020 that they feel safe, secure, happy and enthused to be part of their new school. This not only applies to our students; but also their parents and carers.   

During May and June our Head of Year 7 will aim to meet your child in their primary school and find out more about them.  We believe that the transition process between primary and secondary is a crucial period in a child’s education and we will implement a number of procedures to ensure every child is catered for. We also offer monthly after school inspire sessions which will allow your child to visit the school, sample lessons and meet our teachers. 

There is no obligation to come along to every session; you can pick and choose the sessions that inspire you. If you are interested in any of the sessions below, please send an email: inspire@stowhigh.com.  Please provide your child’s name, current primary school and detail the session(s) you would like to enroll your child in.  

We have a two-day induction programme, which will be held on Monday, 6^th and Tuesday, 7^th July 2020. Students will need to arrive at the front of Stowmarket High School, dressed in their current uniform at 8.50am. A school meal will be provided on Monday but students should bring in extra snacks and water to keep them going throughout the day. A school bag will be essential to carry their pencil case, snacks, a jacket in case of inclement weather and any essential medication that has been previously agreed with our Medical Administrator. 

Students who qualify for a bus pass do not need to have bus passes during the two induction days, as the bus companies are expecting them. However, students who do not qualify, but plan to use public transport on the two days will need to pay. We will have bus monitors on the buses during the two induction days to welcome your child onto the bus and help them if they have any questions. 

On Monday, 6^th July 2020 students will spend time settling into the school with their tutor and tutor group. On Tuesday, 7^th July 2020 they will sample several lessons. On Tuesday students will need to bring their own picnic lunch, but students who have free school meals will have a picnic lunch provided for them by us (we will ascertain numbers by contacting the primary schools). Please ensure your child packs trainers suitable for PE into their school bags. 

Both days will finish at 3.10pm and students will exit from school at the gates by the Leisure Centre. If you wish to pick your child up by car, please park in the Leisure Centre car park and not in the bus bay by the school gates. 

Our Parents’ Evening is on Tuesday, 7^th July 2020 and doors open at 5.45pm. The evening is just for parents, and students should not attend. A talk will take place in the hall at 6.00pm for parents/carers and you will then have the opportunity to meet your child’s form tutors. The Friends of Stowmarket High will be at the parents’ evening and will provide refreshments, drinks and cakes for a small donation. 

Term begins on Tuesday 1^st September 2020 at 8.50am.  Year 7 students should meet on the front grass outside school.  The first lesson and a half will be spent in tutor groups, where students will receive their new timetables and maps of the school. 

To enable your child to reach their full potential and so that they can participate in all their lessons on their first day, students must ensure that you have a: pen, pencil, ruler, calculator, rubber, reading book and PE kit.  They will also need to be in school uniform. 

There are lockers available for children to use in school.  If they would like a locker, then they will need to bring in a padlock. 

Timings of the School Day 

Most of their lessons will be 60 minutes long.  On some occasions they will have double lessons for 2 hours. 

The School Day 

Registration:        8.50 – 09.10 

Lesson 1:              9.10 – 10.10 

Lesson 2:              10.10 – 11.10 

Break:                   11.10 – 11.30 

Lesson 3:              11.30 – 12.30 

Lesson 4:              12.30 – 13.30 

Lunch:                  13.30 – 14.10 

Lesson 5:              14.10 – 15.10 

In Year 7 students study the following subjects:  English, Mathematics, Science, Drama, Art, Geography, German (top sets only), French, History, Music, Physical Education, Design Technology (Graphics, Food, Resistant Materials and Textiles), ICT, RE and PSHE. 

At Key Stage 3 the following subjects set students based on ability: Math's, Science and Languages.  Some students leave language lessons for extra literacy lessons. 

At the end of the day students that go home on the bus will need to go to the bus bay to board their bus.  The bus numbers are shown at the front of the bus so you will know which bus you need to catch.  There will be members of staff on duty if you need help. 

School Meals 

On intake day students will have their fingerprints scanned which now enables them to use the loading machines in Lilies canteen.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

Mrs Katy Farrow, Assistant Headteacher SLT for Year 7 & 8 email:  k.farrow@stowhigh.com  

Mrs Claire Ferguson, Assistant Headteacher SLT for Year 7 & 8 email:  c.ferguson@stowhigh.com 

Ms Tracey Goodman, Head of Year 7 & 8 email:  t.goodman@stowhigh.com 

Following SCC review for funded school travel please follow the link: Getting your child to SHS 

Link to: Year 6 Transition Project 2020

Link to: Prospectus 2020 - 2021

Link to: Student Transition Booklet

Link to: Transition Letter 2020

Link to: Virtual Coffee Morning