The Transitus Year Programme, will be the beginning of the Senior School journey for learners, helping them to prepare for the years to come, encourage independent learning and foster qualities that will benefit them throughout their whole lives.
Summary of features of The Transitus Year Programme
1. The Transitus year in place of Junior 7/Primary 7 year
2. A dedicated ‘Base’ Teacher for the Transitus year group
3. Increased time for Numeracy & Literacy
4. Practical Skills classes
5. Wider curricular access to Senior School teaching specialists
6. Pastoral Support
7. Increased teaching time
The Transitus year aids the transition of pupils from a Junior School/Primary School setting to a Middle School setting. This is a ‘changing’ year.
Pupils have a designated classroom for Base curricular learning and then move to Senior departments for specialist learning and teaching.
The curriculum is designed to enhance learning and lessons with the Base teacher are taught from the
Transitus classroom. The primary focus of Base teacher lessons seeks to enhance Numeracy and Literacy abilities, as well as allow time for lessons on Study Skills, Practical Skills and make use of STEM activities. The remainder of the school week is spent with subject specialists in Senior School departments.
Transitus pupils have opportunities to enjoy roles to support the House System and Prefects in the Senior School.
The Base teacher role is a vital element of the transition process for pupils at this stage. The
teacher responsible will be a trained Primary specialist and work with both Transitus classes at
different points in the week, following the Broad General Education of the Scottish Curriculum.
The Base teacher will be the main point of contact for parents on most matters and liaise closely with
Senior School colleagues regarding monitoring and tracking of progress and wellbeing.
The Transitus model allows for additional time to be dedicated to the teaching of Numeracy
and Literacy. The Base teacher works closely with Senior School colleagues, to monitor pupil
progress in these curricular areas, which is also complemented by additional time with Senior
School specialists in the English and Maths departments.
In addition to developing Numeracy and Literacy, the Base teacher role includes the development of
Study Skills and Practical skills. This will enable opportunities for pupils to prepare for Senior School
workloads, including preparing for tests and exams. Classes may incorporate practical cookery, outdoor
learning, STEM, enterprise activities, environmental projects, character development challenges, goal
setting and strengths analysis.
In the Transitus Year learners will spend a significant portion of their timetabled week with subject
specialists from the Senior School, helping learners to prepare for the second year of middle school (S1).
This provision also widens access to a broader range of curricular subjects, again enhancing the transition of our learners and developing subject specific skills early in their journey.
In addition to curricular developments this model provides additional pastoral care for learners at this
stage. While the Base teacher has overall Wellbeing (Pastoral) responsibilities for Transitus classes, our two Principal Teachers of Pupil Support (Pastoral) work closely with the Base teacher to care for pupils and liaise with families regarding concerns. They also develop a ‘Lifeskills’ programme (Health and Wellbeing) for Transitus classes, thus helping to develop strong supportive relationships within the group.
The Transitus year group will have a school day beginning at 9.00am and finishing at 3.45pm three days of the week and finishing at 3.15pm two days per week.
In addition, the Transitus year group will join Senior School break, lunch, and assembly times. This brings them in line with the Senior School day and increases learning and teaching time across the week.