Moving to secondary school
As a Year 6 student, you will soon be getting ready to make a big change as you leave your primary school and move to a secondary school. Becoming a Year 7 student is an exciting time, but you can also find yourself feeling slightly nervous about what’s in store for you at your new secondary school. A mixture of excitement and anxiety is completely normal and is a feeling shared by all Year 6 students when they get ready for their first day at their new secondary school.
Transition is something we take very seriously at QK. We do our very best to make sure that our new Year 7 students feel comfortable and confident when they join us in September.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tutor Groups?
When you are accepted at QK you will be put into a tutor group. This will be the class you are attached to throughout your time at QK. You will spend a daily registration time with your tutor group, as well as being taught together as a class for most of your subjects. For some practical subjects, such as PE and Technology, you will be in slightly smaller, mixed groups. There are 8 tutor Groups at QK (Q, U, T, N, K, Y, S & A). Each Tutor Group has a form tutor – this will be the teacher that has responsibility for you on a day-to-day basis in QK and is the first person to see if you need support.
How will I make new friends?
Having to make new friends can feel daunting. However, in Term 6, when you are preparing to leave your primary school to join QK, you’ll take part in a special “HeadStart Day”. This is a day in June when you come into QK for a day of taster lessons. On that day, your form tutor will also help you to get to know other students and to new make friends by doing lots of team building activities.
Will I be able to be in the same class as my friends from primary school?
Whenever possible we will try our best to make sure that you have at least one person from your primary school in your tutor group.
How much homework will I get a week?
As a Year 7 student you should be receiving approximately three hours of homework a week.
I’m worried about finding my way around QK. What happens if I get lost?
QK has a big site with different buildings, but we’ll make sure you know how to find your way around quickly. On your first day your form tutor will give you a guided tour of the building, pointing out areas of key importance and interest. If you do find yourself unable to find the classroom you are looking for just ask a teacher or fellow student for directions. They will be happy to help you.
What can you do at break and lunchtimes?
Break and lunchtime are obviously an opportunity for you to let off some steam. At break time you will be able to get a snack or drink from the Diner, read a book in the Library, chat with friends or have some time to run around in the playground.
There are two lunchtimes at QK. At the start of the first lunchtime you will be the first year group to have lunch in the Diner. After you have eaten, there are a number of things you can do, for example take part in supervised activities in the playground or Sports Hall; read a book or do your homework in the Library or catch-up with friends in the benched areas around the school site.
How can I get involved in the Youth Club?
QK has different clubs and activities that run after school. These are designed to suit all abilities and interests so will include subject study clubs as well as sports and creative clubs. All QK students are welcome to attend these clubs and activities as long as they have registered. Details are published each term in QK News and on the school website.
Is it true QK has a farm?
QK has a small urban farm. We have some goats, chickens, rabbits and guanine pigs. At lunchtime the farm is open to student.