Transition 2026 – Primary to Secondary

At The Whitehaven Academy, we understand that making the transition from primary to secondary school is an exciting time for both you and your child. We believe that the key to immediate success at secondary school is having a positive and supportive transition. We pride ourselves in delivering a well-structured transition programme to help make the move from Primary school to Secondary school a great success. Parents and Year 7 students tell us that it works really well, although we are always aiming to make it even better!

As your child moves into Year 6 you will be invited to attend our Year 6 Open Evening. This event is held in September every year and gives both parents and students a chance to see the whole school in one evening. There are a huge range of interactive activities on offer along with a speech from the Headteacher, Mr Youngman, giving an overview of the school. Mr Youngman also encourages parents and students to arrange a personal tour of the school on a normal working day so that you can see how our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience underpin everything we do here at The Whitehaven Academy.

Our experienced Transition Team will oversee your transition from primary school to The Whitehaven Academy. We will liaise closely with parents, students and primary school staff to ensure that you get off to the best possible start at The Whitehaven Academy.

Mrs Fox is responsible for overseeing your pastoral care at The Whitehaven Academy and will deal with any emotional or social concerns that you may have, as well as overseeing your attendance, behaviour and well-being. Mrs Fox is always on hand to discuss any concerns or worries that students or parents may have and will do everything possible to ensure that your time at The Whitehaven Academy is happy and enjoyable!

Within the team this year we have, Mrs Fiona Ryden, Director of Learning for Year 7, Miss Deborah Lowery, Deputy Director of Learning for Year 7 and Mrs Hayley Mattear and Mr Sam Meredith, Student Engagement Officers.

Once at The Whitehaven Academy, Mrs Ryden and Miss Lowery will oversee your academic progress and development in a range of areas and will ensure that you have every opportunity in and out of lessons to achieve your academic and personal potential.

Together, Mrs Ryden, Miss Lowery, Mrs Mattear, Mr Meredith and Mrs Fox lead a dedicated and experienced team of Year 7 Tutors who will support both students and parents to ensure that you have every opportunity to become the best that you can be!

Other key transition staff members:

Mrs Marie McMurdo – Assistant Headteacher and Special Education Needs Coordinator – will ensure that any necessary support and provision for children with additional SEND or PHYS-MED needs are in place prior to starting at The Whitehaven Academy and will work closely with students and parents to make sure that appropriate provision is sustained throughout their time at The Whitehaven Academy.

Transition Programme:

A ‘Team Approach’ is at the heart of everything that we do at The Whitehaven Academy and we strongly believe that by working in collaboration with students, parents and primary school staff, we can ensure that any anxiety, concerns or difficulties around the transition to secondary school can be minimised.

This is what you can expect from The Whitehaven Academy:

During March

Parents/Carers

Whilst your child is in Year 6, you will receive a ‘Welcome’ letter confirming your child’s place at The Whitehaven Academy.

During April/May

Year 6 Students

• Your child will receive a visit in their primary school from their new Director of Learning, and current TWA students, to deliver information, run a session on FAQ and reassure students about transition.
• We also offer bespoke and extended transition programmes for students who require further support in making the step from primary to secondary school.
• Key information sharing will occur between primary schools and The Whitehaven Academy to ensure your child is appropriately supported when they join us in September.

Parents/Carers

• Parents and Carers can view our ‘Parent Information Booklet’ on our webpage which includes all the information you will need to ensure your child is fully prepared for the new start in September.
• Online forms to be completed above. This ensures we have your most up-to-date contact details, your child’s medical and dietary needs as well as permissions for biometric fingerprint scan, trips and school photographs.

Any invitations to events will be sent via  to you via email.  If you do not receive information or require further information please do not hesitate to contact us on transition@whitehavenacademy.org.uk

Be assured that your child’s future is in good hands at The Whitehaven Academy – with our broad and balanced curriculum, challenging and engaging all abilities, a high level of dedicated pastoral support designed to nurture your child every step of the way and an exciting range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities intended to give your child a wide range of valuable experiences in and out of the classroom.

We’re looking forward to meeting you and working with you to ensure the best for your son or daughter.

• Reading book  – available in school or brought from home
• Pencil case containing:
• 2 x black pens;
• 2 x pencils;
• 1 x green pen;
• 1 x rubber;
• 1 x 30 cm ruler;

Uniform can be purchased online through our supplier at  https://www.swischoolwear.co.uk/

Click here for the Parent guide

Click here for the Measuring guide

Daily Uniform

• White Shirt
• Black Trousers or Skirt (skirt no shorter than 2 inches above the knee)
• Grey Blazer with blue trim (from our supplier)
• Optional Grey Jumper with blue trim (from our supplier)
• Orange Tie with navy and silver stripes (from our supplier)
• Black School Shoes (no trainers, pumps, Converse)

PE Kit:

• Blue T-Shirt (from our supplier)
• Blue Shorts (from our supplier)
• Optional Hoodie for Boys and Girls (from our supplier)
• Girls can wear black leggings
• Boys can wear black joggers
• Black/White Trainers

Food and drinks can be purchased in our canteen at break and lunchtimes. Students are also able to bring a packed lunch to school. We strongly encourage all students to bring a bottle of water with them that can be re-filled throughout the day.  We also encourage healthy choices for packed lunches and snacks.  Energy drinks and fizzy drinks are not allowed.

The Whitehaven Academy operates a cashless catering system which uses a biometric system for secure access. Students will have a scan of either their finger or thumb and the image is translated into a mathematical algorithm. The finger image is not stored, only the numbers, so that it cannot be used by another source for identification.

You can find the link to Parent Pay link here https://app.parentpay.com/public/client/security/#/login

Our school catering suppliers is Aspens Catering.

Currently we are using a software called Satchel:one  to allow parents and students to keep up with homework.  Satchel:one is a simple online homework calendar your child can use to keep up to date and on top of all their homework.

The Whitehaven Academy operates a no mobile phone policy. Students can bring a mobile phone to school providing that it is switched off and kept in the student’s school bag from the moment of entering the school building and until leaving at the end of the day.

At The Whitehaven Academy we have a dedicated pastoral team.  Your child’s form tutor is the key person for your child to speak to if they have any issues and they are contactable by email or via the Satchel:one app.  Your child will also be supported by our dedicated Learning Provision Team which includes: Directors of Learning, Deputy Directors of Learning, Student Provision Officers and Student Engagement Officers.

At The Whitehaven Academy we are very lucky to be able to offer a wide range of extracurricular opportunities for a range of ages, abilities and interests.  Please check out our extracurricular link at the bottom of the page, showing our current timetable.