Returning to school after the long summer holidays is a shock to the system for many children, but for Year Seven students it marks a more significant change.
The leap from primary to secondary school is an exciting time but poses a number of new challenges, such as making friends, finding your way around a bigger school or the fear of more homework.
This is why Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has been running Transitional Programmes to help children prepare for secondary school.
Funded by the Department for Education, the five day course uses fun and educational activities to help Year Sevens gain confidence and meet classmates.
Over two weeks in August, selected Year Seven pupils from Chiswick Community School attended the Griffin Park Learning Zone (GPLZ) Summer Transition Programme at Brentford FC’s Griffin Park Stadium.
Cleo, 11, said: “We have done lots of different activities this week, water-sports, making DVDs of ourselves and orienteering around our new school.
“I was worried about going to secondary school.
"I got really scared I’d get lost in the school but now I feel more confident because I met Amber and some other girls.”
Not only do the sessions boost confidence but the football stadium environment provides a unique atmosphere.
Amber, 11, said: “I like being at Brentford because it is fun and I think it’s a better way to bond with other people.
"The Learning Zone is a good place to chill and talk to your friends.
“Now I am excited about going to high school.
"I felt a bit stressed I wouldn’t live up to the standards they set but now I know Deputy Headteacher, Ms Elks, and everyone, I feel like I fit in a bit.”
Katherine Elks ,Deputy Headteacher at Chiswick School, welcomed the opportunity to get to know the children who would be joining in September.
“The programme helps build the children’s confidence – they are able to make friends and it breaks down the idea secondary teachers are a bit scary, and other myths like that,” said Ms Elks.
“It is a nice way for the children to end the summer and gears them up for coming back after the long holidays.”
Ghausia Amin, teacher at the Griffin Park Learning Zone, said the children enjoyed an orienteering challenge around their new school and had got to know the school very quickly.
While the practical issue of finding your way around is important, back at the Learning Zone Ghausia and Learning Zone manager Chris Barrett make sure children can talk about issues that worry them.
“We do many activities which allow them to talk about any anxieties they have," said Ghausia.
"They make movies about themselves, talk about things they are good at, play games and take part in activities which get them to think about high school.
“Primary schools are very protected and sheltered, secondary school is different.
"We are trying to prepare them for that change.”
The advantage of the Transition Programme being run by the Brentford FC CST is that children tour the football stadium and get involved in some of the water sport activities carried out by the Trust.
Luke, 11, said: "I loved paddle-boarding.
"I thought it was cool that the programme was in a football stadium.
"I think I got a better head start than people starting school without any help.”
A few days after the programme, Luke and his new friends started at Chiswick Community School.
We hope they used their knowledge to point classmates in the right direction.
If you want to find out more about the Griffin Park Learning Zone and the courses on offer please contact Chris Barrett: [email protected] or phone 0208 758 0523.