Typical school transitions can be daunting for children, whether it be to start in a Nursery, moving into P1 or the beginning of secondary school. The worry of the unknown, new routines and new staff can be a concern for children as well as parents.
We are proud of our transition process at Hamilton College. We have a system that operates year-round and focuses on the acceptance of all as being an important part of the Hamilton College family.
Our staff across the whole school interact with each stage so that regardless of what year of education your child is in, they are familiar with teachers and staff members.
The transition process is aided with weekly interactions between groups across the school and termly whole school assemblies. Interactions across the school are easily facilitated since we are in the one building.
All Junior School classes are taught collaboratively with a partner teacher. This initiative allows teachers with a particular passion or interest to focus on specialist subjects. Currently, each class have a specialist Literacy or Numeracy teacher and depending on the stage, specialist Art, Technologies, Science or RME lessons.
Specialist lessons occur from Nursery through to Senior School in a variety of subjects.
Incorporated into their weekly timetable, J6 - J7 also participate in weekly Maths and English lessons with Senior School teachers.
For the 2020/2021 session, J7 pupils will operate on a Senior School timetable each Wednesday with a Senior School Form Teacher along with extra Science and Lifeskill lessons. They will also have their breaks on Senior School times and finish the day at 3:45 in line with the rest of Senior School. Giving them the best preparation for the rigours of S1, our enhanced transition programme for J7 ensures pupils are familiar with and ready to make the move to Senior School.