Moving from Primary 7 into secondary school can be a daunting experience for young people, but through a summer programme in West Belfast, that transition is being eased.
Over the last three weeks, pupils attended the West Belfast Partnership Board's annual Summer Transition School in St Mary’s University College and Coláiste Feirste.
This year is the first face-to-face delivery since Covid-and over 200 children were in attendance over both venues.
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The Summer Transition School has been designed to smooth the transition from Primary to Post-Primary school and encourages learning by making it a fun experience, with literacy and numeracy support as well as delivery on practical preparation for school.
The programme is delivered by qualified teachers through the medium of both Irish and English.
Angie Mervyn, Education Manager in West Belfast Partnership Board told Belfast Live: "It is a fundamental objective of the Summer Transition School to help pupils have a smooth transition to their new school.
"This year was slightly different as we delivered in Coláiste Feirste during their annual Year 8 Gaeltacht as well as in St Mary’s University College for new students of All Saints College. We will also be delivering in post primary schools in West Belfast in September.
"As always, the support of St Mary’s University College has been crucial. We have worked in partnership for over 20 years and this year we had student and newly qualified teachers working on the Summer Transition School, bringing enthusiasm, commitment and the most up to date teaching approaches in order to help children become the best that they can be.
"Successful transition between the education sectors is vital and many children and young people who fail to achieve a positive transition between education sectors do not reach their potential.
"Transition support offers the opportunity for young people to succeed in education. The WBPB Summer Transition School addresses educational underachievement and facilitates the smooth transition from Primary to Post Primary so that children will be better prepared for the expectations of Post Primary school.
"I want to say a huge thank you to HIP Psychology, Kids in Control and our teachers who made the transition school so successful and most of all to all the kids in West Belfast who attended. I want to wish them all the best of luck in their new schools."
The Summer Transition School provides support to pupils in P7 during the summer holidays to consolidate learning, increase confidence and self-esteem and alleviate holiday hunger, as well as providing additional literacy and numeracy support for students identified by local Primary and Post Primary schools as being in need of support.
It also gives focus to supporting the resilience and well-being of pupils and parents during what can be a stressful period. It raises awareness of and discusses important issues for young people transferring to post primary.
The programme is funded by the Department of Education, through the West Belfast Partnership Board’s Sharing the Learning Programme.
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