Welcome to Durrington High School and specifically to more information about our transition process.
Transition to secondary school can feel like a big change. In some ways it is, but when done well, it becomes the beginning of every child’s journey to an exciting next step in their education. Underpinning our very successful approach are the principles of every Year 6 joiner being known, nurtured and inspired. We make it a priority to ensure that each new student feels seen as an individual, supported to succeed, and genuinely excited about joining our community.
Getting to know every child
From the moment a place is confirmed, we focus on understanding each child. Our specialist Year 7 staff — two of whom are primary-trained — visit every feeder school to meet students personally and talk with their teachers about strengths, needs and interests. Parents and carers are welcomed into this partnership early, sharing insights that help us tailor support. For some children this means extra visits, quiet tours or introductions to key adults; for others, particularly those joining alone from smaller schools or with specific SEND needs, bespoke transition plans ensure they arrive already feeling part of something.
Safe, settled and ready to learn
We know, from years of experience, that when children feel safe, settled and happy, they adapt more easily to a new learning environment — and success naturally follows. A wide range of induction events, summer activities and “meet your tutor” sessions are designed not just to inform, but to help every child begin forming friendships and confidence long before September arrives.
Ongoing support beyond September
Transition doesn’t stop on the first day. During the first term, we build in structured routines and gradual challenge: early movement between lessons to reduce worries about busy corridors, a phased introduction to homework, extended break times, and a strong focus on building relationships with tutors and older students. These purposeful adjustments help students find their rhythm, feel secure and engage deeply with learning. There are trips to enjoy, interform challenges, a huge range of clubs and wider school competitions to get involved in — in fact, many of our Year 7s never look back.
What our families say
Parents and students consistently tell us that the move to Durrington feels calm, welcoming and personal. The feedback we seek on the transition process really matters to us, as we always aim to learn and improve — after all, reflection and improvement are at the heart of our ethos at Durrington. The responses we receive tell us that children feel known, happy, and confident about where to go if they need extra support.
“Durrington High has been a wonderful and transformative experience for my daughter. She has truly made significant progress, and it’s wonderful to see how much more confident she has become. I am so happy that we chose Durrington.”
— Year 7 parent, 2024
