Stockton recognises that the transfer between different phases of education has great significance for many young people. It is important for the local authority to consider how to support smooth transition for our young people so they progress well socially and academically.
To bring about effective transition it is important to evaluate to what extent all 'five bridges' of transition are being developed. These are as follows:
- Administrative, i.e. effective and robust administrative arrangements to support transition, e.g. pupil records transfer including performance data management, administrative meetings between key school staff, common procedures.
- Social and personal, i.e. improving pupils' and their parents' familiarity with the school, layout and atmosphere. This bridge also ensures that effective pastoral support is in place.
- Curriculum, i.e. improving the continuity of curriculum to ensure that teachers build on the curriculum covered to date and seek to teach to pupils' strengths.
- Pedagogy, i.e. improving the continuity in teaching and classroom practice between phases of education. It seeks to encourage cross-phase professional support and dialogue.
- Autonomy and managing learning, i.e. ensuring that pupils are seen as active participants in the transition process and in their own learning.
Stockton is committed to working in partnership with its schools and colleges to further develop transition practice both within and between schools and colleges. Currently Stockton has two 'Enjoy and Achieve' cross-phase working parties who are developing a transition good practice document. There is also an innovative LA transition KS2-KS3 project for gifted and talented pupils planned for 2006-07.
