Sophie Fegan on support La Sainte Union give to new students

The transition from a smaller, familiar primary environment to a larger, more complex setting can be both exciting and overwhelming.

At La Sainte Union Catholic School, we run a very practical transition programme, from the day of the offer in March right through to Christmas of Year 7 - this ensures that all students settle successfully.

Secondary school demands greater independence. Your child will need to manage time, track homework and navigate a larger school.

Start encouraging responsibility at home, like packing their school bag or organising their schedule. Building these habits early will help them feel more confident. Our website includes a full breakdown of the Year 7 curriculum, packed with ideas of activities which can be done at home in preparation.

Becoming familiar with the school before their first day: meeting the staff who will teach them and learning where things are will reduce anxiety about getting lost or overwhelmed.

Sophie Fegan reveals the wide range of support offered at La Sainte Union to make the transition to secondary school easier (Image: Louise Paige/La Sainte Union)

At La Sainte Union we run a series of events including a welcome evening, transition day, meetings and a weeklong summer school, between Year 6 and Year 7, which ensure that our new entrants are familiar with their surroundings and our expectations.

Stay engaged with your child’s education by attending school events, meeting teachers and keeping open communication. Here this is done through the weekly bulletin and the parent App.  Also, at the beginning of October, we invite all Year 7 parents to a settling in evening, where we report on the first four weeks of secondary school.

We combine academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care, ensuring every student is known, valued and celebrated as a unique individual. Secondary education is most successful when it is a partnership between the school and the family.

Encourage your child to be involved in community action, to be physically active and to be intellectually curious. Secondary school will offer many new things to try!

At La Sainte Union, girls access an outstanding enrichment programme, carry out works of compassion, participate actively to school life through our Student Parliament, but they also spend their free time playing sports, relaxing on the field, reading on the benches or walking in the grounds.

With the right preparation and support, transitioning to secondary school can be a positive experience. Encourage independence, provide reassurance and maintain involvement to help your child thrive in their new environment.

• Mrs Sophie Fegan is headteacher at La Sainte Union Catholic School in Highgate (lasainteunion.org.uk/).