For the attention of: All Headteachers/Principals in Telford and Wrekin Schools/Academies

Please complete the survey below as soon as possible

Dear all,

As we head into the final weeks of the current academic year transition activities will feature heavily. We know that there are planned transition days between primary and secondary schools for current year 6 (to be year 7) pupils largely during the week 5 July 2021 - 9 July 2021, infant to junior schools for current year 2 to be year 3) pupils and primary schools will also have ‘taster sessions’ for their new reception cohorts. Understandably we have begun to get queries from schools as to whether these should proceed, given the rising number of COVID cases within Telford and Wrekin (which matches the national picture). We know there is great value in transition days, but we need to consider as a collective the possible implications on the ground in light of the COVID situation.

The current information about transition within the DfE guidance states, ‘You should complete thorough risk assessments before running transitional, taster and open days to ensure that they are run in line with your system of controls and align with the advice contained within this guidance and the roadmap out of lockdown.” It is anticipated that new DfE guidance will come out next week, although the exact date has not been confirmed, and we assume will be dependent on what happens nationally regarding the 21st June date. Our assumption when it does come is that it will reinforce expectation that where children move between schools, for the purpose of transition, they will be asked to stick within their existing bubble arrangements and not mix with others. We have already raised concern with the DfE that this is not practical or feasible, particularly in secondary schools, whereby you have multiple primary schools feeding into a secondary school and where the purpose of the day(s) is for pupils to meet their new form groups (thus mixing multiple bubbles). 

In light of the uncertainty we are seeking your views as to how we should proceed across Telford and Wrekin. We do feel that we need a unified approach otherwise it will become very confusing for schools and parents alike if individual decisions are made. 

It is our view, in consultation with local public health, that transition days should not proceed this year and alternative activities are employed*. This is because it would be impractical to keep children within existing bubbles during transition days and therefore a central control measure cannot be deployed. We do understand the importance of transition but the fact is, that our numbers of COVID in the community are increasing and this is likely to follow through into schools. It does not appear to make sense therefore to create a situation where children are mixing between schools. You have worked so hard to maintain control measures and your success is evidenced in how we manage cases when they come. There will need to be space for exceptional circumstances, whereby individuals with particular needs or groups or where bubbles can be maintained (for example infant to junior school), can be operated, but for the majority we feel alternative approaches* should be deployed. (Transition activity can take place where children move internally within a school, for example year 5 visit their year 6 classroom/teacher, although this needs to be risk assessed and follow your system of controls.)

At this stage we are not asking that you to change your plans or that you communicate externally that you are not doing transition days, as this message will need careful collective management, but rather we seek your views. 

We request head teachers, in collaboration with your MAT CEOs where appropriate, complete the survey below to provide your views. It is relatively quick so if we can ask that it is completed by Monday 14 June 2021 we can then move to define a unified position for Telford and Wrekin. We want to send out a position next week.

I hope you understand why we are trying to coordinate our approach across the borough. This could become easily confused if individual schools start to make individual decisions. We know this is not easy and things are likely to change as we head into next two weeks but it feels right to determine an approach asap in light of the situation regarding our local increasing COVID numbers.

Transition Days Survey

*Alternative ideas for transition (many of you completed these activities last year to support transition between schools)

• Make a virtual school or classroom tour which can be shared on the schools website.
• Ask key members of staff to record introductions to themselves to post on schools website.
• Provide as much information regarding uniforms, PE kit requirements, drop off pick up times, lunch facilities etc on the schools website.
• Answers to key questions that pupils or parents might usually be told at transition event.
• Use the initial day(s) of the Autumn Term as year 7 induction days.

Best wishes to you all

Simon Wellman
Director: Education and Skills
Telford and Wrekin Council
01952 381008
07773 534456