Transition

Open Day - 17th September 2025

Applications open - 1st September 2025

Applications close - 31st October 2025

National offers day - 2nd March 2026

Year 6 to 7 Transition day - 1st July 2026

First day of School - 2nd September 2026

Year 7 Introduction Evening -  First half-term

Autumn Term

During the Autumn term of Year 6, parents and carers must apply for a secondary school place for their child. Applications are made through your local authority and must be submitted by the published deadline, usually at the end of October. For specific dates and full details, please visit the Coventry City Council website.

https://www.coventry.gov.uk/school-admissions

The Westwood Academy will host an Open Evening, providing prospective students and their families with the opportunity to explore our site, experience our facilities, and speak with staff about life at the Academy.

Spring Term

National Offer Day takes place on 1 March each year (or the next working day if this falls on a weekend). On this day, parents and carers across England are informed by their local authority which secondary school has been allocated to their child for Year 7.

The Local Authority informs the Secondary school of its prospective pupils and we then keep in close contact with our new parents for the rest of Year 6.

Later this term, we invite parents to a Transition Coffee Morning. This provides students and families with the opportunity to visit the school, meet the staff and speak to other parents and pupils.

Summer Term

Our Transition Team will visit your child’s primary school to meet the pupils and begin getting to know them. During this visit, they will speak with teachers about the progress each child has made and discuss any individual needs to ensure the right support is in place.

Year 6 pupils who have chosen to join The Westwood Academy will spend a full Transition Day with us, becoming familiar with staff, pupils and their new surroundings. On this day, they will meet their Head of Year and Personal Mentor. They will follow a timetable of lessons and learn about the Academy’s values and expectations. This experience helps them to find their way around the school and understand what it means to be a pupil at The Westwood Academy.

In July, all parents who have chosen The Westwood Academy as their child’s secondary school are invited to attend our Transition Evening. This ‘New Parents’ Evening’ provides an opportunity to meet staff and find out more about the next stage of their child’s education.

Students who are joining The Westwood Academy will have the opportunity to attend a Summer School. This provides a valuable chance to meet other new students, build friendships and become more familiar with the school site before starting in September.

The First Day

On the first morning, Year 7 students meet outside the canteen and are welcomed by the Headteacher. They are then taken to an assembly and then their Mentor room, where they will discuss the basic routines of daily school life.

There will be a reduced number of other year groups in school on the first day, allowing Year 7 students time to settle in and familiarise themselves with the school before the rest of the pupils return.

A few weeks later, students and parents are invited to a Year 7 Information Evening. This is a chance to meet their mentors and Head of Year, and hear about their first few weeks. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions about any of our online platforms such as SPARX, Class Charts or MCAS.

Comprehensive information regarding admissions is available via the link below.

admissions

www.coventry city council - secondary school admissionsOur admissions Policy can be found on our Schools Policies page at 

school policies

I am afraid of getting lost and not being able to find my lessons.

You will receive a tour of the school on Transition Day and Transition Coffee Morning. You will also receive a map to help you in the first few weeks. Also, students and teachers will happily help you to find your way until you have settled in.

Can I bring my mobile phone into school?

Yes, but these are handed in during mentor time and collected at the end of the school day.

I have heard that you can get detentions at secondary school.

You can get detentions at secondary school for not following the school values, but you also have lots of opportunities for praise and reward.

Where do I go to get my lunch?

You can bring in a packed lunch or buy your lunch in the canteen.

Where can I go if I need to contact my parent during the school day?

If you need to contact home, speak to your Head of Year, mentor or a member of Student Support.

Who is my child’s main point of contact?

Your child’s main point of contact is their mentor.

What should I do if my child needs to be absent from school?

If your child is absent due to illness, please report the absence using StudyBugs

What time does the school day start and finish?

See https://www.thewestwoodacademy.co.uk/527/times-of-the-school-day

All details about the uniform can be found on the following page

uniform

ClassCharts

At The Westwood Academy, we use ClassCharts to strengthen communication between school and home and to support every student’s success.

ClassCharts is an online platform that allows parents and carers to stay informed about their child’s progress in real time. Through the app or website, parents can view achievement points, behaviour records, homework assignments, attendance information, and their child’s timetable.

For parents, ClassCharts provides clear, up-to-date information all in one place. This means you can celebrate successes, support with homework, and address any concerns quickly and effectively. By working together through transparent communication, we ensure that every student feels supported both at school and at home.

MyChildAtSchool (MCAS)

At The Westwood Academy, we use MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) to make essential school information easily accessible to parents and carers.

MCAS is a secure online portal and app that allows families to manage key aspects of their child’s school life in one convenient place. Through the platform, parents can update contact details, access school communications, and reports.

SPARX Platform

In September, students will be given access to the SPARX platform. This is the platform on which they complete their Maths, English and Science homework at KS3.

On Transition Day, Year 6 pupils will be assigned to a mentor group and this usually stays the same from Year 7-11. Your mentor is your child’s main source of pastoral support during their time at Westwood.

The list of Head of Years, the pastoral team, and their contact details can be found at

Contacts Us - The Westwood Academy

year-7 transition work

These are all books either linked to the topics you will study in Year 7 or are written by the same author.

Millions - Frank Cottrell Boyce (You’ll read another novel by the same author later in Year 7!)

The Final Year - Matt Goodfellow (This is a story about leaving primary school, much like the short stories you’ll read when you first start at WW)

Jane Eyre:Abridged - Patrice Lawrence (Prepare yourself to read the original version in Year 7)

Malarkey - Keith Gray (If you liked this, you’ll love ‘Ostrich Boys’ when you’re in Year 8)

Run Wild - Gill Lewis (If you’re an animal lover, this one’s for you)

For enquiries relating to the Year6/7 transition please contact Miss S.Corry, Assistant Headteacher or Ms C Ross Transition lead at Transition@twa.kmat.org.uk