Welcome To Byrchall Year 6 Transition

 

On this page, you will find information about the range of transition opportunities we offer for you to find out about joining us as your chosen secondary school. Please also find key dates for your diary!
We look forward to welcoming you to the Byrchall family.
Our transition team visit local primary schools in year 5 and year 6, to tell you about the amazing opportunities on offer at our school.


As part of our transition, we have a range of events to help you settle in:

Key Dates for Your Diary

  • Saturday 14th March – Friendship Day – Welcome event for students who have been offered a place, with parents/carers

  • Thursday 7th May | 4.00pm – 6.00pm – Curriculum Evening 1 – First taster evening for Year 6 students who have accepted their place (students only)

  • Thursday 21st May | 4.00pm – 6.00pm – Curriculum Evening 2 – Second taster evening for Year 6 students (students only)
  • Tuesday 23rd June – Transition Afternoon & Evening – Students meet their Form Tutors during the afternoon; parents/carers are invited to attend an important transition meeting in the evening
  • Week commencing 20th July – Summer School – A two-week programme of transition activities (students attend one week)

If you have additional queries and would like to book a further tour, Mrs McGuire, our Transition Manager, can be contacted to arrange this at transition@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk.

Summer School

Our school is unique in the local area in offering a fully funded Summer School programme. You can opt to attend ONE of the two weeks and participate in a host of on-site activities and range of school trips. Booking information for Summer School will be emailed out post Easter. Summer School takes place during the first two weeks of the summer holidays each year. Have a look at our social media to see the fun we got up to this year!

What is it like being a year 7 student?

A Welcome Letter From the Prefect Team

To help you find out more about our school, please find this year’s transition packs below:

Key staff

Image – Hello from the Year 7 Form Tutor Team: Mrs McGuire, Mr Thorpe, Miss Nelson, Miss Herd, Mr Littler, Mr Gibson, Mr Powell, Mr Taylor, Miss Dowd and Mr Smethurst


Our school has a dedicated team of staff who help to ensure you have a smooth transition. Many of our staff will be visiting your Primary School to speak to your current teachers and get to know you before you join us in September.

Mrs Collins Walsh – Deputy Head/Y7 SLT Link

My name is Mrs Collins-Walsh, and I am one of the Deputy Headteachers and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) link for Year 7. I work closely with the Transition Team throughout the admissions process and during students’ first year at Byrchall to ensure that the move from primary to secondary school is as smooth, positive, and supportive as possible.

Once students have started with us, I continue to work alongside the Year 7 team, including form tutors, the Head of Year (HOY), and the Pastoral Support Officer (PSO), to support students’ day-to-day progress, wellbeing, and success. Together, we aim to help every Year 7 student settle quickly, feel confident, and make a strong start to their Byrchall journey. I look forward to meeting you all and supporting you to become the happiest and best you can be.

Mrs McGuire  – Transition Co-ordinator

I am Mrs McGuire. I oversee organising all the primary visits and events that happen at Byrchall and lead Summer School. I go out to talk to your Primary School teachers to find out about your hobbies and interests to make sure you are put into a form with people you will get along with. I am one of the Year 7 Form Tutors and also a Business and Computing teacher. I like organising lots of competitions and fun events for you to take part in. My role is to ensure that your transition to high school is a smooth one and that you look forward to joining us here at Byrchall. My daughter is currently in year 7 so I understand the types of questions you may have from a parent’s perspective too about transition – no question is ever a daft question; we will always answer any query you may have!

Mrs Johnson

My name is Mrs Johnson and I am Head of Year 7 at Byrchall.

My role in school is to make sure that you have the best start to Year 7 and I will continue to support you throughout the year. I will help you settle in and work with your Year 7 form tutors and parents to help you progress during your first year at school. One of the most exciting things about my role is that I get to celebrate all of your achievements in our weekly assemblies, and I am certain that I will have lots of success stories this coming year.

I am also a teacher of PE and Dance.

Miss Gibson

Hello year 6. I am Miss Gibson, the Pastoral Support Officer for Year 7. I work alongside Mrs Johnson to help with any day-to-day queries or problems that you or your parents may have. You will find me in the Year 7 office and also see me out on patrol.
I enjoy hearing about all your achievements inside and outside of school and working with the year 7 Form Tutors to celebrate your successes. I am also here to support those of you who may need a little bit of extra help to settle into school.

Mr Powell

I am Mr Powell. I am the Assistant Head of Year and work in the office with Mrs Johnson and Miss Gibson to support you on a day-to-day basis.

I go out to visit you in year 6 as part of our Primary Roadshow team. I visit to tell you all about the amazing opportunities we have for you at Byrchall and to answer any questions you may have about what life is like at Secondary School. I also teach Science at Byrchall.

Mrs Hudson

Hello to you, our new Year 7. My name is Mrs Hudson. I am one of the Assistant Head teachers in school, my role is to look after pupil welfare and support.

I am also in charge of making sure that everyone in school is safe in my role as Designated safeguarding lead. I work with our SENCO and pastoral support assistants to make sure that everyone in school gets the help and support they need in their learning but also in their emotional health and well-being. I also teach Food in school.

Miss Shaw

Hello, my name is Miss Shaw. I work in SEN with Mrs Lee and the TA team.

My job is to make sure that any child who has additional needs gets the support they need. At Byrchall, we have about 100 students who have an additional need or require a bit of extra help. This might be a bit of help with handwriting, spelling, reading, maths or in-class support from a Teaching Assistant.

Once at Byrchall, any child who thinks they need more help can speak to me, or one of my team of Teaching Assistants. If you, or your parent, think you may need some extra help, please feel free to get in touch. Email is the easiest way to communicate with me at this time. My email is: jshaw@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk

As SENCO, it’s my job to make sure you can overcome any difficulties you have, that you do as well as you can at school and that you feel supported.


🌟 Ready for Secondary Challenges 🌟

Why not take part in some of the preparing to join us competitions that have been set by some of our departments at school. Send us an email with a photo of your work, your name and primary school to transition@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk to be in with a chance of winning some special Byrchall prizes!

These fun challenges will help you explore new subjects, show your creativity, and practise the skills you’ll use in Year 7 and beyond. You can complete one challenge or as many as you like – every entry counts!

• Computing Challenge – Create a “My Digital Life” poster showing the apps, games or technology you use most. Explain how technology helps you learn or have fun – just like in secondary Computing.

• History Challenge – Build a mini shoebox museum about a historical person or event you enjoy learning about. Add labels explaining why it was important and what we can learn from it.

• Geography Challenge – Design a postcard from your dream place anywhere in the world. Include human and physical features to show how geographers describe places.

• Maths Challenge – Create a real-life maths problem based on shopping, travel, sport or games. Show your working to explain how you solved it.

• Science Challenge – Plan a simple experiment that could be safely tested at home. Predict what will happen and explain why using scientific ideas.

• English Challenge – Turn your favourite story into a shoebox scene or comic strip. Write a short paragraph explaining the characters, setting and main events

• Religious Education (RE) Challenge – Create a “What matters most?” collage showing values important to you. Link these values to beliefs or teachings you’ve learned about in RE.

• Spanish Challenge – Design a café menu in Spanish with food, prices and pictures. Add key phrases you might use when ordering.

• French Challenge – Create an “All About Me” profile in French with your hobbies and favourites. Use colours, labels and simple sentences to show your language skills.

• Music Challenge – Create a soundtrack for your life using 5 songs. Explain how the mood, tempo or instruments match different moments.

• Drama Challenge – Create a freeze-frame scene showing a powerful moment (happy, sad or exciting). Write a short explanation of what the characters are thinking or feeling.

• Product Design Challenge – Design a new gadget for Year 7 students to help them at school. Label your design and explain how it solves a real problem.

• Textiles Challenge – Design a pattern for a school-themed item (bag, pencil case or scarf). Explain your colour choices, materials and why your design would work well.

• Food & Nutrition (Cooking) Challenge – Create a healthy meal idea for a busy school day. Explain why it is nutritious and how it supports a balanced diet.


🎉 Certificates, prizes and recognition will be awarded for effort, creativity and imagination. 🎉

Additional information

You will find additional information about day to day life at Byrchall in the links below. If you have further questions that this page hasn’t answered please contact our transition inbox at transition@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk