Transition

Allison Ash looking at school plans

A message from the Headteacher

We are really excited and honoured that your child will be joining us in September as one of the very first founding cohort of Year 7 pupils, our ambassadors for years to come.

It is extremely important to us that both children and parents feel ready to make the step from primary to secondary school and arrive with the confidence to make the most of the opportunities Brian Clarke has to offer.

I’m really looking forward to getting to know you and your child and I am confident that our transition processes will ensure your child has the very best start.

Allison Ash, Headteacher

The Transition Process – Year 7, September 2025

  • Transition Evening Monday 23rd June  5.30pm – 7pm: All children will attend a transition evening with one parent / carer.  We ask that families stick to this restriction of one parent / carer where possible due to limited availability of space.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate siblings or wider family members. Transition evening will take place at The Brian Clarke Academy Oldham OL9 6BP and we look forward to welcoming you to what will be a very exciting evening. During this evening there will be a 20-minute talk by the Headteacher before children go to meet their allocated form tutors to get them settled and alleviate any concerns before transition day. Parents/carers will also have a smaller group talk with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.  
  • Transition Day Thursday 3rd July 9am – 3pm: All children will attend a transition day at the Brian Clarke Academy. On this day, children will get to meet their form tutor and the other pupils in their form and will take part in lots of ‘getting to know you’ activities. They will also get to meet a number of their teachers and experience lessons to get them really excited about secondary learning and experiences.  
  • Vulnerable Children: Children with EHCPs, those who are in care, children in need or those on the Child Protection registers will be identified by the end of May to organise bespoke transition plans.  
  • Communication: All families will receive a transition pack which will include a transition booklet for pupils and a Brian Clarke Family Handbook. This will contain all the relevant information needed to support your child’s smooth transition to Brian Clarke. 
  • Catering: We are proud to be partnered with Cucina who provide our school meal service for breakfast, break and lunchtimes. Cucina offer excellent deals including a fixed price, lunchtime meal deal menu at £2.70 (price correct at February 2024), which can include anything from a street-food wrap and cookie to a full roast dinner with sponge pudding and custard; this menu is available to all, including those children on free school meals. As a cashless school, we will give you more details in the summer term about setting up your online account as well as a guide for how to top up your child’s balance. 
  • Curriculum transition – Academic Transition Skills (ATS): Because we are a cross-phase Trust, we understand the demands of transition across the key stages and ensure the curriculum our pupils encounter at Key Stage 3 builds on their learning and experiences at Key Stage 2. Children will come to Brian Clarke from a variety of primary schools and we understand that there will be different ways primary schools will have taught how to structure extended pieces of writing, learn new vocabulary and analyse texts. ATS bridges those differences by introducing children to a set of consistent approaches and language that will support them in accessing the secondary curriculum. Pupils will have one lesson a week of ATS in Year 7. 
  • MyChildAtSchool (MCAS): By downloading the MyChildAtSchool App you will have ready access to your child’s timetable, attendance, progress and behaviour once they start at Brian Clarke, as well as being kept up to date with school correspondence. We will notify you once you are eligible to download the App. 

  • Transition Reading Project – Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible. At Brian Clarke we prioritise developing childrens’ ability to read and their literacy skills more generally to ensure they can access our curriculum. As part of transition all children will be given a copy of Homer’s Odyssey and a Transition Reading Booklet. Click here for more information on The Odyssey project.

Year 7 Interviews

The below video will help give you a flavour of the Brian Clarke Academy straight from our wonderful young people.

The Brian Clarke Church of England Academy is proud to be part of the Cranmer Education Trust

Cranmer Education Trust is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity registered in England. Company registration number: 07687709. Registered Office: Cranmer Education Trust, c/o The Blue Coat School, Egerton Street, Oldham OL1 3SQ. The website address is www.cranmereducationtrust.com and the phone number 0161 785 5082.