Transition into Year 7
Transition into Year 7 - September 2025
Transition contacts:
- Year 7 Raising Standards Leader: TBC
- Keri Britton, Admissions Manager: admissions@thomasclarksonacademy.org
- Student Services Officer for Year 7: TBC
Information for parents (for Year 7 intake Sept 2024):
June Newsletter
Newsletter 1/Data Collection
2024/25 term dates
Free School Meals Application
Edulink Guide to update information
Transition resources
Parents may find the following resources useful:
Transition resources for Year 6 pupils
More resources for both Year 6 pupils and parents
BBC Bitesize: Year 6 transition
BBC Bitesize: Celebrity tips for starting secondary school
BBC Bitesize: Supporting a child moving to secondary school with Dr Radha
BBC Bitesize: First day nerves - how to prepare, keep calm and carry on
BBC Bitesize: Starting secondary school
Transition Programme 2025/26
Our aims
- To reassure Year 6 students about their transition to Thomas Clarkson Academy and to prepare them for academy life
- To support parents and provide them with all the information they need throughout the transition process
- To gather relevant information from all our feeder primary schools about each student joining Thomas Clarkson Academy in September.
Transition Programme 2025/26
Thomas Clarkson Academy believes that it is imperative that Year 6 students have a positive move into Year 7. It is vital that they feel confident and equipped to make the transition into the Academy at the start of the academic year.
We feel that in order to achieve a positive transition, parents should be fully informed about the process; therefore, we have put together a timetable of the process below.
| 11th September 2024: Applications Open |
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To make an application to Thomas Clarkson Academy please visit Cambridgeshire County Council Admissions Citizen Portal. If you can't apply online
Paper Applications If you apply using a paper form you cannot receive your offer by email. You will have to wait to receive your offer in the post. We recommend that all paper application forms are posted by “signed-for” recorded delivery, and that you get proof of postage. Cambridgeshire County Council accept no responsibility, and will make no exceptions, for applications that do not reach us and are not posted by this method. Do not send original documents. If you have already made an online application for your child, you must not also submit a paper form. If we receive both a paper and an online application, the application with the most recent date (last one received) will be the application that is processed. |
| 31st October 2024 (Midnight) - Deadline for applications |
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This is the national closing date for secondary applications. Any applications received after this date will be classed as late applications and offers will be made in the second round.
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| 3rd March 2025 - National Offer Day |
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If you applied by the 31st October you will receive an email from your local authority with the offer of a place for your child(ren) or alternatively you can check online yourself within the application portal. Please contact Thomas Clarkson Academy to accept your child’s place - 01945 585237. You can also accept your child’s place online via the Citizen Portal. If you wish to decline your place you must do this in writing to your Local Authority, please also email admissions@thomasclarksonacademy.org. If you applied for a place on paper, then your Local Authority are aiming for you to receive your confirmation letter on this date. |
| Week Commencing 3rd March 2025 - Welcome email from TCA |
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We will be sending out emails to all parents of year 6 children who have been offered places at TCA for September. If you have not received an email then please contact us to update your email address. This will confirm your offer of a place with us and give you details of how to accept. |
| Appeals Deadline |
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Final dates for appeal applications, please ensure you get the correct date for the local authority area you live in: Cambridgeshire:
You are still able to submit an appeal, after the deadline has past. Your appeal will then be heard within 30 school days of receipt of the form requesting the appeal. Upon the receipt of a completed appeal form, the appellant will be sent a letter of acknowledgement (see section - 'what happens after I submit an appeal').
You need to give notice that you intend to appeal for a secondary school place by Friday 14 March 2025. You need to complete and return the appeal form by Friday 28 March 2025. You will be invited to an appeal hearing in June or July 2025. We will conduct the hearing:
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| July 2025 - Transition Events |
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Useful information: |
| September 2025 - First Day of Term |
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TBC
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| October 2025 - Year 7 Tutor Evening |
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This is an evening event for you and your child to come along and speak with their tutor to discuss how they are settling in to life at TCA. |
Click here for our Admissions page.
Previous Year 7s share their experiences of starting at TCA
Grace:
"Year 7 was a great year because I got to make a lot of new friends who always had my back, and I mean always. For those of you who don't like change I get it, change can be scary. If you're ever unsure about anything, ask people around you or ask your teachers because the teachers always want you to succeed, so if you're stuck they will help you. So don't be afraid because if this year taught me anything, it's that you don't have to be afraid to ask."
Sam:
"I have greatly enjoyed being a Year 7 student at TCA. I have enjoyed the opportunities to stretch myself and take part in interesting and enjoyable lessons. In secondary school, there are friendly, helpful teachers and adults to help whenever you need them or if you just need advice about something. Also, you can experience exciting science experiments that you don't normally do in primary. I know at least a few of you will be terrified of how big the school is and are wondering how you will remember where all of your classes are, but don't worry because you can ask an adult who will normally be around before your classes start, before school, at break and at lunch."
Keavie:
"Coming up to secondary school is a daunting experience for everyone - especially at this time - as there is such a big jump from primary, from the number of students to the amount of opportunities that are offered. For me, I was moving from a tiny primary school with just 14 people in my year to having 250 at this school. I made friends quickly but if that is not the case for you then there are student services, the teachers and older pupils that offer a huge amount of support. I personally settled in with the new routine and colossal change in atmosphere fast. The breaktimes and lunchtimes are very cool because there are a lot of things that you can choose to do, like spending some time in the library or catching up with your friends in Eden or even playing football on the field. If you have any worries or fall outs with friends there is always a teacher nearby. I really enjoyed the school trip that most of the Year 7s went on - it helped us overcome fears, make new friends and most importantly have fun. There were a lot of activities that we got to take part in, from screaming at the top of our lungs on the giant swing to falling in the ice cold lake during canoeing. This school has a large amount of school trips that you are able to go on.
Whether you are someone who enjoys putting your head down and working on a maths problem or if you prefer running around the field, there is something at Thomas Clarkson Academy for everyone."