On 2 March, Camden parents and carers received their offers of Year 7 places for their children to start secondary school in September. We visited William Ellis School, in Highgate Road, to find out from current Year 7 students and the headteacher what happens next.

Headteacher Izzy Jones says that March is the start of a months-long process for welcoming and supporting boys who will be joining the school. This transition period continues after Year 7 students start in September, with special activities including a day of team building on nearby Hampstead Heath and a Year 7 Camp at William Ellis’s own outdoor education centre in the Surrey Hills, called The Mill.

Izzy said: “For us transition starts in March, when parents receive a letter saying we’re really pleased their children are coming to William Ellis and those parents will come and visit us in mid-March. Mr Altmann [Transition Lead at the school] then visits the boys’ primary schools, there’s a transition day for them in July, summer school in August, their first day at William Ellis in September, then the boys go out on the Heath in the autumn, followed by Year 7 Camp in the summer - which is when, if there’s anyone they haven’t made friends with, that’s the chance to make friends with them.” 

All of this helps prepare children, and their parents and carers, for the move from primary to secondary school and help ensure students thrive once at the school.

Speaking about the transition day he attended before starting at William Ellis, current Year 7 student Tyreese, 12, said: “I felt nervous at first but then I made a lot of friends and I felt more comfortable with the school and got used to what it would be like.”

Fellow Year 7 student, Milo, 11, said: “We met the teachers, including some of those who were going to be important to us.”

Following the transition day in July, William Ellis then runs a four-day summer school for their incoming Year 7s during the last week of August.

Tyreese said: “The point of summer school is to make friends before school starts.”

Milo said: “You also get used to the school, where to go and the teachers. We did some interesting things like Taskmaster games, including moving balloons down a corridor with no hands and landing paper aeroplanes onto a strip of astroturf. It’s all about teamwork.”

Karl Altmann, Assistant Head and Transition Lead, visits prospective Year 7 students in their primary schools.

Milo said: “We talked [with Mr Altmann] about what lessons we would have in secondary school and what to expect at William Ellis.”

Tyreese said: “He talked about the sports clubs and opportunities at William Ellis and how delicious the food is there.”

During their first month at William Ellis, the boys were taken out for a Year 7s day on Hampstead Heath.

Milo said: “At the day on the Heath, there was a lot of team working because we were doing crafts and making kites. There was an icebreaker to get to know each other and team-building to make our friendships stronger.”

The boys also reflected on how it feels to move to William Ellis School and settle into secondary school life.

Tyreese said: “I really wanted to go to William Ellis because my older brother used to go to this school. I knew a lot of my friends were coming here too. When I found out the result [on Offer Day], I was very happy. The transition day was fun as well.”

Milo said: “I wanted to come here because it has really good sports, it’s a nice small school and it has good learning. I also like the fact that it has a massive library for reading.”

The boys are also looking forward to going to their Year 7 Camp at The Mill this summer to enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including walking in the Surrey Hills and camping.

Their fellow Year 7 student, Marcel, 12, said he had some anxieties about starting secondary school, but he has now made friends, including his friendship with Milo, and feels settled at William Ellis.

Marcel said: “After a term and a half here, I feel that the school really supports the kids here. I’m glad that I came here and not another school.”

Find out more

• Read more about William Ellis School's transition programme for new students
• In Camden, it is a priority for us that children move smoothly and successfully from primary to secondary school. Here you can read or download our transition guide for parents
• Find out more about all Camden's 10 state secondary schools
• Visit the education and training section of Camden Rise