The transition module originally devised by Alan Wilson enabled us to look more at the emotional support that could be offered to support our year six children and empower them to deal with potential difficulties that could arise when transferring to secondary School, providing them with life skills which would help them deal with any challenge that could arise and view them as positives rather than negative experiences.

All year six children took part in a five day input focusing on a range of skills e.g. power of thought, friendships, achievements, active listening etc and the impact of these sessions was considerable.

The results and comments made after the module was completed were excellent and the project was an outstanding success

The self esteem quiz completed at the start of each module was redone at the end of the module and the overwhelming results showed that children were more confident and happier about transition. 95% of children’s self esteem had increased which is a phenomenal increase.

At the end of each five day block children were asked to discuss and comment on how they found the module. Children were very keen to share their thoughts and ideas and children who normally were reluctant to speak offered their opinions and comments willingly. This in itself was a huge success.

All children commented on the fact that they felt more confident about transferring to their new school and comments made included

 “I am quite excited now about starting my new school…”

“I now know how I can make new friends, I was worried as I am the only one going to my new school but I know I will soon make friends.”

“It was really interesting finding out how you can tell if someone is really listening to you…”

“I never realised that you could make good things happen just by changing the way you think.”

“I really enjoyed finding out about how I can make things better for myself.”

“I really feel much more confident about leaving Luton now”

“It was an excellent course and I want to find out more now about the power of thought.”

Staff in year six felt that the feed back from the children was also very positive and the skills taught an excellent base for the children to leave Luton with.

This was a trial project and all staff felt that the skills taught need to be reinforced and certainly the project will become part of future year six programme of study in the summer term.

Aspects of the module will be reviewed in April to ensure the key skills are covered. Parents will also be asked to complete a comments sheet to ask their opinion of the module.

As a result of this very successful project we have recognised with the excellent support and commitment of Alan that this programme has been a very valuable and worthwhile exercise.

Since the project discussions have taken place with Alan to find a way of empowering all of our school children at an earlier time in their school life and as a result Alan has offered to come into school each Wednesday at the end of whole school assembly to speak to all children for 10 minutes about positive thinking, life skills etc.

C Juniper
Assistant Head
September 2007