EEF transition project builds firm foundations

The formal EEF transition project, funded by the EEF and delivered through the Charles Dickens Research School, is drawing to a close but participants want the learning to continue through the implementation and impact stages.  This project has been a key focus area for the Education Performance and Achievement sub-group during the 2021-22 academic year and they hope their learning will become embedded in Bexley processes as children make the transition into secondary school.
The sub-group initiated this project because it complemented other work it has been doing in relation to literacy skills for all schools, including their Closing the Word Gap Toolkit, a reading for pleasure project and an Early Years school readiness initiative Born Ready, School Ready, Bexley Ready.
The transition project has developed links between 13 secondary and 12 primary schools in Bexley to facilitate an understanding of each other’s expectations and standards in literacy.  Four taught sessions were provided by the Charles Dickens Research School – reading, writing, CPD (using EEF research) and disciplinary literacy – and each school was able to visit at least one other school, with primary schools showing how they teach literacy, particularly in years five and six.
The secondary schools have been amazed by the high expectations and standard of work in all primary schools and they hope that many more schools will join a new network (which will be free of charge) to continue this work.  The group intends to develop a core literacy teaching unit, including a key text, which could be taught at the end of year six and continued at the beginning of year seven.
If your school would like to take part in the new network, do email  shirley.puxty@bexley.gov.uk for invites and agendas.  There will be one session per term, with the first to be delivered by The Literacy Trust on phonics for non-readers in years 5 to 8 and developing a core teaching unit for transition in 2023.
In the meantime, we are asking if all primary pupils could take their best piece of work (one side of A4 maximum) to their secondary school on their transition visit day. This will help secondaries to see the standard of a pupil’s work. (See 220614 EPA Transition Project letter to schools)

Proposed Transition Network meetings 2022-23:

8.30- 10.30am, Wednesday 16 November 2022
Phonics for non-readers in Y5 – 8 (delivered by the Literacy Trust)
Developing a core teaching unit for transition

8.30- 10.30am, Wednesday 1 March 2023

8.30- 10.30am, Wednesday 21 June 2023