[senco-forum] Primary secondary transition

Regrettably I've done the exact same thing, with exactly the same outcome.
Several schools responded that as their SENCO was either the deputy or the
Head they didn't have time to attend.  My feeling is that now more primaries
have dedicated sENCos who are not either Heads or Deputies - is this true?

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of chris white
Sent: 26 March 2008 10:57
To: Mmilesep at aol.com; senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Primary secondary transition

Last academic year I attempted to gain more knowledge of the primary sector
by sending TAs to spend half a day or a day in primary school during the
Spring Term. (We are a Catholic Secondary School with over 40 feeder
schools!).  Their brief was to go and 'be' a primary TA for a half or a full
day. The offer of primary TAs coming to visit our school was made. The
primary schools were generally unwilling to take our TAs and where the
visits did take place most primaries just wanted the TAs to work with pupils
in year 6 who were due to transfer in the September.
NO primary TAs took up the offer to visit us!

On another occasion I invited SENCOs from all our feeder primaries to visit
our school for an afternoon to have a look round the school, (it was then a
new building which had only been open 3 months) meet the staff, TAs and
generally have a look at how we work. I'd invited the EP in to give an
introductory talk and explain how he works with us as a secondary school.
----One primary SENCO turned up, some telephoned a day or two prior to the
day and the rest who although they had confirmed originally just didn't
come.
Best of luck with your project.
Chris
Secondary SENCO

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of
Mmilesep at aol.com
Sent: 25 March 2008 20:59
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [senco-forum] Primary secondary transition

I chair one of my learning community senco groups. We recently had a
discussion about the transfer of potentially vulnerable children from KS2 to
KS3.
The lack of understanding of the workings of the 2 stages was raised and I
floated the idea of staff exchanges between the two stages during the summer
and
autumn terms - staff from primary to swap with secondary collegues to
facillitate better understanding.

Do any of you experienced people know of any such arrangements, or have you

been part of such a scheme? I know it is riddled with logistical problems,
but
 it seemed to be something worth considering in more detail.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Martin
EP, Devon

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