What happens at visit from secondary school staff to new joiners’ primary schools

[The3]

Ds had the head of Y7 at his new school visit his primary today. He is the only child going to that school and is quite monosyllabic about it. What’s the purpose of the meeting - is this so they can talk to the child or the teacher at the primary?

Both (at least at DD's school).

Meet the child, hopefully reassure them, and see a bit what they are like.
Meet the teacher and get handover info.

DD's school brings a couple of y7 pupils along too.

It was the person over the whole year 6/7 transition who visited my son, also the only child going to that secondary.

Firstly, a familiar face so Ds knew what he looked like. They talked over any worries about starting secondary and what subjects Ds likes.

Talked about the clubs the school offers and the extra transition day for children coming from non-feeder schools where they would meet other children in the same position.

Both. I have done 3 primary visits so far this year. It is the chance to meet the children and find out a bit about them (so we can put them into tutor groups). We also chat to the teacher/head to find out anything pertinent about them and to ensure that any IHPs SEN or safeguarding information is addressed to the correct person at our school.

I ask them what they enjoy and what they are looking forward to. They often have questions which they feel may be a bit silly until I tell them that there is no such thing as a silly question. This year I have been asked if girls need to tie their hair back (yes for PE and Science) and if you are naughty, do you get put in isolation? I talk about the lunches, what subjects they will cover in year 7, a bit about the school day and the buses. Because we have a large catchment area, I ask for schools near home so I know all about the bus to school from my own kids.

Don't worry about your DS being the only one. The school will have seen it all before.