More than thirty pupils who have started at Todmorden High in the new term had a taste of secondary school life when they attended its summer school.
The theme of the fortnight was “Breaking down barriers” and was aimed at supporting the children with their transition into Todmorden High School.
It allowed them to spend time getting to know their peers and new classmates, as well as a number of the staff who would be working with them in September.
This included their learning leader Mr Botterill, Miss Bedder and Mr Hussain, who will be learning managers during year seven.
They were also supported by some pupils who are beginning their final year this month, who were able to answer any questions they had about secondary school and to help put them at ease about their move to Todmorden High.
The summer school included a range of activities held all over Calderdale and the surrounding area - climbing at ROKT in Brighouse, farm visits to Staups Lea Farm at Blackshaw Head, water sports at Hollingworth Lake, a crime scene investigation, a day of performing arts and much more.
Feedback from pupils and parents has been excellent.
“As a parent, I feel it is an excellent opportunity for the year sevens to get used to the idea of a completely new school and feel comfortable about it,” one parent said.
Overall the children rated the summer school as “outstanding” and made lots of positive comments about their experience, saying that they “loved it”, had made new friends and wanted it to last for longer.
This was the second transition summer school and was even better received than the first one in 2012.
Every day was filled up to the point of being oversubscribed.
Todmorden High School hopes to be able to run a similar event next year.