Our Programme
At St. Joseph’s we recognise that the transition from Year 6 to 7 needs to be a positive and effective experience for both students and parents.
We work alongside our feeder primary schools to provide a dynamic and effective transition programme of events so that your child gets to know us and develops a connection to our school in advance of joining us in Year 7.
We want your child to join us with the confidence that they know our FLAME values, expectations and routines making their first few weeks at St. Joseph's a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Transition Timeline and Key Dates
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25 September Year 6 Open Evening: Thursday 25 September 2025 6.00 – 8.00 pm.
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National application deadline date: 31 October 2025.
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National offers are made to students and their families: March 2026.
You must accept the offer by the deadline given in the offer letter. Otherwise, it may be withdrawn and the place given to someone else.
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SEND – get to know the team evening: 7th May 2026.
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Small group transition evenings: 19th May & 2nd June 2026.
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Transition work/projects in English and Maths: July 2026.
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Parent Information Night: 2nd July 2026.
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Transition Days: Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July 2026.
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Transition Pack for parents: June 2026.
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Summer School: Monday 20th July – Wednesday 22nd July 2026.
Our transition programme begins in Year 5, when our main feeder primary schools are invited to take part in a Year 5 transition day, where the students experience a Maths, English, and PE lesson. They are also invited to take part in a Maths Challenge and Spelling Bee led by Mrs Whyte, Lead for Transition, and Miss Baker, English teacher. This gives both students and primary staff a unique insight onto the work we do at St. Joseph’s. There are also several sports events that run throughout Year 5 led by our PE staff and student sports leaders. We are also involved in a number of whole primary school events, for example the St. James Big Lent Walk. New for 2026-27 we will also be offering transition events which include our MFL language leaders.
In Year 6 our transition programme continues with visits to our feeder primaries by the Headteacher in September. There is the opportunity to attend our Open Evening in September where you and your child can look around the school visiting departments and talk to our current students.
In the summer term there are a number of transition events, including a transition project. All students will be given the opportunity to take part in this project. We will be gathering information from both parents/carers and the primary school your child attends. Our transition team make a series of school visits to talk to Year 6 teachers and our SENDCO will also visit where appropriate. This ensures we have everything we need for a smooth transition.
Where students are coming from a non-feeder primary school or where a small number of students are joining us, we offer a variety of events to support their transition. Throughout May and June, we visit schools to introduce ourselves and allow students to ask any questions. Where students are coming alone or in a very small number, we invite these students to our small group transition evenings along with their parents and carers. This is a getting to know you event, with the opportunity to meet other students and parents who are in the same position. It is an ideal chance to meet some of the staff and student leaders and buddies. We will also outline the option of summer school which will run for 2 days in the first week of the summer holidays.
In July all students and their parents/carers are invited to attend a Parent Information Evening in advance of the two transition days in school. At the information evening you will be given reminders of our school mission and FLAME values. You will also be reminded of our pastoral care system, safeguarding, behaviour expectations, routines and uniform. We will also outline the activities that will take place on the two transition days.
First Days in Year 7
These days are crucial to achieve a positive start to your child’s journey with us at St. Joseph's. To ease this process Year 7, have their own servery for food at lunch and their own yard for break and lunch.
On arriving at school for their first day, our Year 7 students are assembled in form groups in our Year 7 yard. Here they are met by their form tutor, Head of House, and Assistant Head of House. They will remain in form classes for most of the morning and be issued with planners and timetables. This provides students with the opportunity to make friends within their form class, become acquainted with their form teacher and recognise what is expected of them at St. Joseph’s.
Support and Activities
There are several support systems in school in addition to our excellent house system. Year 7 students will be encouraged to attend, breakfast club, lunchtime clubs, afterschool clubs and homework clubs which are all free of charge. Our staff offer a fantastic and broad ranging series of enrichment clubs.
Students are also able to take instrumental lessons at a subsidised price. Furthermore, each Year 7 form class nominates two representatives to be part of our school’s House Council. This promotes pupil voice within the school which we believe is of key importance to our school community.
During PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, Emotional) lessons, students will cover a range of topics promoting our FLAME values including character development, work related learning, staying safe online and relationships education. Throughout the year, there are several extra-curricular opportunities available.
Applying for St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy
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We can only accept applications made through the common application form.
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Please pay attention to SECTION B which must be completed if you have listed a Roman Catholic School in SECTION A.
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For Roman Catholic children, attach a Proof of Baptism (for example, a baptismal certificate, a letter confirming baptism from your Parish Priest, a copy of first Holy Communion Certificate or Proof of Acceptance.) This should be attached to the application form.