Key Information:
Head of Year: Ms G. Ward (gwa@hws.haringey.sch.uk)
KS3 Pastoral Support: Ms Tusiime (etu@hws.haringey.sch.uk)
Year 7
Starting secondary school or changing schools is a big step for anyone to take, and at Highgate Wood School we do all we can to make the process easy and enjoyable.
Year 7 transition
We pride ourselves on the strength of the links we have established with our feeder primary schools and with the effectiveness of our transition process. Assistant Headteacher, Ms Issitt, has specific responsibility for primary school transition and leads a carefully planned programme of induction that supports new students every step of the way. In this she is assisted by Ms Ward, an extremely experienced pastoral leader who is Head of Year 7, and Assistant Headteacher, Mr Cain-Reed who is the Senior Leader with oversight of Year 7 as well as being the school’s SENDCO.
The demands of secondary school learning can seem quite different from life in primary school. Fourteen different subjects taught by different teachers can take some time getting used to. Our focus is to ensure that those basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic are solidly in place for all students. We have Dedicated Reading Time for students in all years, but in Year 7, there is a special emphasis on developing numeracy and literacy.
Curriculum Development
Our key focus at Year 7 is to ensure those basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic are solidly in place. We have Dedicated Reading Time for students in all years, but in Year 7 the support offered by schemes like Accelerated Reader and Reading Mentors are particularly valuable to build reading and writing, whilst a range of different programmes, including Making the Most of Maths, assists everyone to improve their understanding and application of mathematics.
Students in Year 7 extend their knowledge from primary school in subjects like Computer Science, where programming is taught from the outset, and in Drama, Design Technology, PE, Art, Science, Music and Modern Languages where our specialist staff, equipment and resources enable students to build significantly on their prior learning and experiences from primary school.
Year 7 students benefit from a carefully structured programme of Life Skills (PHSEE) lessons, enrichment days and tutor-time activities. These help students develop as independent learners and critical thinkers whilst exploring issues around personal safety, healthy relationships and general well-being. It is through the Life Skills programme that young students explore concerns and issues around current events and are supported to become good citizens and successful individuals in a world that is constantly changing and presenting ever more complex demands.
The year 7 timetable has 50 one-hour periods on a fortnightly cycle. Parents are advised of their rights to withdraw their child from REP and Sex Education. Students will be supervised but no alternative curriculum is available.
“The teachers here are lovely and supportive and they make you feel right at home.”
Parents’ Consultation Evening
We use the School Cloud Virtual Parents’ Evening System. The Year 7 virtual Parents’ Evening will be held online onTuesday 12th February 2025
If you have any difficulties accessing the system please email data@hws.haringey.sch.uk. Appointment bookings are scheduled to open from approximately 10 days before the event.
Appointments will be on a first come, first served basis though the school will be contacting some families in advance to pre-book a few slots. Please be aware that the appointments are scheduled at 5-minute intervals to allow teachers with multiple classes to see as many families as possible.
Should a member of staff become fully booked parents/carers will need to request feedback via telephone or email. This can be done by contacting members of staff directly, your child’s form tutor or Head of House. Please be aware that Parents’ Evenings are to meet your child’s subject staff rather than their form tutor.
Assessment
We have developed our assessment systems so that students receive a Learning Judgement from each of their subject teachers each term. This will help families, and the school, to monitor the progress of students carefully and arrange of support and intervention at an early stage to help all achieve their very best. Please click here for more information on the assessment system.