Year 6 Transition
Welcome to Year 7
Dear Students, Parents and Carers
A warm welcome to Woodcote High School; we are excited to welcome you to our school community. I hope that this website provides the information you need to enable you to feel confident and excited to start with us in September. We are all looking forward to meeting you through our varied transition events over the coming weeks.
Woodcote is a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community with our WHS ASPIRE values at the heart of everything we do. We are a large school where every individual is valued. We are proud of our curriculum and extra-curricular offer and know that every one of you will find something to inspire you here.
Keep checking back here over the coming weeks as we will update the website with new information as plans for next year are decided!
Ms Marrill, Principal
Our Values
Doing the Right Thing, in the Right Place, at the Right Time
In Year 7, we are focusing on making positive choices by doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time. This is important because it helps you to:
- Take responsibility for your actions and make good decisions.
- Show respect for others and create a positive learning environment.
- Make the most of every opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
This links directly to our WHS ASPIRE values, encouraging you to be responsible, respectful and ready to learn. By developing these habits every day, you will grow into a mature, independent learner who is confident, organised and prepared for future success.
Meet the Team
We are very lucky to have an excellent team of teachers and support staff that work together to support, guide and encourage every single student in Year 7 in particular. You will all be in a Tutor Group, and your Form Tutor will be the person that you can go to for anything you need, no matter how big or small! Each Year Group has a Head of Year that oversees all of the Tutors and Tutor Groups, and works with the Pastoral Support Manager’s and Pastoral Team to make sure everyone feels like a valued member of the community and that you all have everything you need to be successful. Read on to see and hear from the team!
Head of Year 7 – Ms Cox
Dear Year 7 of 2026,
I am so excited to welcome you into the Woodcote High School community! Starting secondary school is such an important milestone, and I feel incredibly proud to be joining you on this journey as your Head of Year for the next five years.
Year 7 is the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with opportunities, challenges, new friendships and memorable experiences. As you move from Year 6 into secondary school, you will begin to grow in confidence, discover more about yourselves, and learn how to take greater responsibility for your learning, choices and ambitions. These small steps will help shape the person you become, and I am looking forward to supporting you every step of the way.
There will be moments when things feel unfamiliar or challenging, but that is all part of growing and learning. What matters most is that you keep trying, ask for help when you need it, and believe in your ability to succeed. Please remember that you will never be alone in this journey — I, alongside your tutors and teachers, will always be here to guide, support and encourage you so that you feel happy, valued and an important part of our school community.
I can imagine many of you may be feeling a little nervous or apprehensive about starting in September, and that is completely normal. I also hope you are feeling excited for everything that lies ahead, because there is so much to look forward to, and I truly cannot wait to meet you all.
Enjoy your summer and I will see you in September, ready to begin this exciting new chapter together.
Best wishes,
Ms Cox
Head of Year 7
Pastoral Support Manager – Mrs M
Hello Year 7! I’m Mrs Maunganidze, but you can call me Mrs M. I’m so excited to meet you all and be part of your journey this year! I’m here to help you feel happy, safe, and supported at school. Whether you’re feeling excited, nervous, or just need someone to talk to, I’m always ready to listen and help. I work closely with the pastoral team to make sure you have everything you need to thrive. Remember, you’re not alone – I’m here for you every step of the way! Looking forward to getting to know each of you!
Assistant Principal, Student Wellbeing – Mr David
Welcome Year 7! I’m really excited to welcome you to our school community. I’m one of the Assistant Principals here, and my role focuses on student well-being, which means I’m here to make sure you feel safe, supported, and happy during your time at school. I work closely with your Head of Year 7 to ensure you have the best possible experience as you settle in. We understand that starting secondary school is a big step, but you’re not doing it alone — we’re all here to help you settle in, make new friends, and grow in confidence. I look forward to getting to know each of you and helping you enjoy a fantastic start to your journey here.
7D – Mr MacWilliam
Hello and welcome to Year 7! My name is Mr MacWilliam, and I am delighted to be your form tutor next year. Starting secondary school is an exciting time, and I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you and supporting you as you settle into life at Woodcote. I’m a Geography teacher so my first priority is to make sure you all know how to get around the school and where places are! As your form tutor, I will be here to help you with any questions, celebrate your successes, and support you through the challenges that come with starting a new school. I hope we will build a positive, hardworking and friendly form group together. Enjoy the rest of your time at primary school, have a fantastic summer, and I look forward to seeing you all in September!
7E – Mr S King
Hello! My name is Mr King and I teach a range of subjects at the school including PE and Geography. Joining a new school can seem scary, but everyone is here to help you and I will be with you to support you. Enjoy your summer holidays and we look forward to seeing you in September.
7F – Mr Smith
Hi everyone, my name is Mr Smith, and I am the Head of PE at Woodcote High School. I’m really looking forward to being your form tutor this year and getting to know you all as you begin your journey in Year 7. Starting secondary school is an exciting step, and I’ll be here to support, encourage, and help you settle in. I hope we have a fantastic year together filled with success, teamwork, and plenty of fun along the way!
7G – Miss Dwarka
Hi everyone, a massive welcome to Woodcote High School. I’m Miss Dwarka and I’m thrilled to be your form tutor as you start this brilliant new chapter. I am the Head of Media and Film Studies, which means that I spend a lot of time looking at how stories are told on screen, but right now, I’m mostly excited about the story we’re going to write together as a form. I’ve been teaching at Woodcote for 8 years, so I know the school very well and I’ll be able to help you navigate your way around. Our form is going to be a place of kindness, support, and positivity. Starting Year 7 is a huge milestone and it’s completely normal to feel a mixture of excitement and butterflies. I can’t wait to meet you all.
7W – Miss Berriman
I’m Miss Berriman and I’ll be your Form Tutor at Woodcote High School. I’m also a PE teacher so you’ll definitely see me around the sports hall and out on the football pitch. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and finding out about all your interests! Starting secondary school is a big step. It is completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves – we’ll take it all one day at a time. I am also new to the school in September so I can’t wait to meet you all and begin this journey together.
7X – Mrs Williamson
I am Mrs Williamson. I have worked at Woodcote for 8 years as Head of physics, and have been a teacher for nearly 20 years. I am looking forward to meeting you all in September: the Class of 2033. I have high aspirations for you and will support you in achieving your goals and being the best version of yourselves academically, socially and in your extra-curricular pursuits. A bit about me personally: I have 2 grown up children, and as well as my love of science I enjoy dressmaking, travelling, walking my dog, going to the gym and spending time with my family.
7Y – Mr Friend
My name is Mr Friend. I am a PE teacher and I’m really excited to be your form tutor this year. Starting secondary school is a big step, but you’re not doing it alone, I’ll be here to help you settle in, find your way around, and make the most of every opportunity Woodcote has to offer! I can’t wait to meet you all and start this new adventure together. Enjoy the last few weeks of Year 6 and get ready for a great year ahead.
7Z – Mr Bindloss
A few facts about me: I’m a big Liverpool fan, I love running, and I enjoy a good game of chess. I teach English, so I’m a great person to ask if you are looking for a reading recommendation! As your form tutor, I’ll be here to help you settle in at Woodcote. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all on transition day. I’d love to hear about your hobbies, your favourite subjects and any books you’ve enjoyed reading recently!
Additional Information
Our current Year 7 students know exactly how you are feeling at the moment, so they have shared some of their thoughts and experiences with you. Here you will find their advice and tips for September, as well as their reflections on what it means to be part of the Woodcote High School Community.
This is how Year 7 describe our school:
Get to Know our School
You can watch videos made by our current Year 7s here. They have thought about the things they wish they had known a year ago and made videos to show you!
The School Day
Our school day starts from 08:25, when we make our way to our Form Room to register and check we are ready for the day. Our gates open at 08:05 if you want to come in early to get breakfast, use the library or just see your friends!
A bell sounds at the end of each section of the school day so that we know where we need to be throughout the day. You can view the full breakdown of our School Day here.
Year 7 use the Old Diner at break and lunch – you can buy food or take your lunch in to eat at one of the tables. There are also benches outside where you can have your food, but you must not go past the yellow lines if you are eating so that we can reduce litter on site.
Lunchtime
At the start of the year, Year 7 go to lunch slightly early (your teachers will take you) so that you can get used to how the diner works. Each year group has a 10 minute slot during the lunch break to go into the canteen and purchase food if you want to. This means that the queues are shorter and everyone gets their food quickly! Year 7 go in the first 10 minutes of lunch in the Old Diner.
Uniform
We take pride in the way that we represent ourselves at Woodcote High School, and our uniform is an important part of this. It also shows that we are part of one community with shared values, so we can’t wait to see you wearing yours in September. Click here to see what our uniform looks like – everyone wears a white shirt, tie and blazer. You can then decide if you want to wear the jumper and if you would prefer to wear a skirt or trousers. Your socks should be plain white ankle socks if you choose to wear the skirt. Each Year group has a coloured badge above the pocket – you will get yours in September!
PE Kit
Here you can see the kit you need for PE – your shorts, polo shirt, tracksuit bottoms and jumper all have the Woodcote logo. You need plain navy blue football socks, white sports socks, trainers and football boots too.
Being Prepared
Every student needs to have the following items with them every day so that you can make the most of every single moment in lessons! We recommend that you check your timetable each night so that you can check that you have packed everything you need for the next day’s lessons.
In Your Pencil Case:
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Black pen (bring a few spares!)
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Pencil
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Ruler
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Rubber
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Green pen
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Calculator
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Drywipe marker to use with a mini whiteboard
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Glue
Please do not bring scissors, a pencil sharpener or compass. We will give you these in lessons.
In Your Bag:
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Reading book
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Mini whiteboard
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Water bottle
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Books for the day
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Mobile phone pouch
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PE Kit on days you have PE or a club
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Copy of your timetable
Mobile Phones
The use of a Woodcote mobile phone pouch enables our school to be truly mobile phone free. Students therefore do not have the distraction or temptation of looking at a mobile phone during the school day. Having a signal blocking pouch means that students are truly free of their devices in the day supporting them with learning and wellbeing. In utilising a school pouch the mobile phone remains the responsibility of the student. Students release their phone at the end of the day via magnets located by the exits of the school meaning that no student is left without their phone for their journey to and from school.
Please note that should a student’s phone be seen or heard during the school day (i.e. it has not been placed in a school pouch) it would then be confiscated. The only exception to this rule is for students with diabetes who use their phones for medical purposes. Woodcote Phone Pouches will be on sale at the transition evening and cost £16.00. Support to purchase a phone pouch is available for students in receipt of free school meals.
Behaviour and Rewards
Woodcote High School is a proud and inclusive community that strives for the highest standards of behaviour. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where all students can thrive. Central to this commitment is our belief that excellent behaviour is rooted in strong relationships and clear expectations. We recognise that the way students behave in school is closely linked to their future success, and we understand that promoting good behaviour is a shared responsibility across the whole school community.
Student Code of Conduct
Students are expected to uphold the school’s high behavioural standards in every aspect of school life. In the classroom, this includes:
- Demonstrating the ASPIRE values at all times (students are positively rewarded for this)
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Treating other people with kindness and respect
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Arriving on time and attending all lessons
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Wearing the correct uniform with pride
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Lining up and entering the room appropriately
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Bringing the correct equipment for the lesson and ensuring their mobile phone is locked in its pouch
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Placing pencil case, (white board) and book on the desk ready for learning
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Sitting in the assigned seat in accordance with the teacher’s seating plan
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Actively participating in the learning activities planned by the teacher
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Avoiding any behaviour that disrupts learning
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Waiting to be dismissed at the end of each lesson
When moving around the school site students’ expectations include:
- Following one-way systems and walking on the left
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Queuing sensibly in canteen areas and for water stations
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Not being in the buildings during break time and lunch time without good reason
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Using the designated toilets for their year group
We take every opportunity to celebrate you doing the right things, making improvements, and demonstrating the ASPIRE values. You’ll receive positive points to recognise all that you’re doing well, and this will be shared with you and your parents/carers.
When those start to add up, we will celebrate you even further through:
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Certificates
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Phone calls home
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Rewards assemblies
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Principal’s breakfast
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Reward activities
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“spending” your points in the school shop!
Here are some of the questions the current Year 7 had, and their answers:
What teams and clubs are there?
We have a wide range of extra curricular clubs from sports clubs and teams, to anime, robotics, STEM and reading groups. In September a list of these will be shared with the days and times they are on. If you have an idea for a club that isn’t running then let your Form Tutor know and we will help you to set it up!
Any member of staff or any other students would be more than happy to help you with anything you need. If you’re really not sure who to speak to, start with your Tutor, Head of Year, or anyone wearing a pink lanyard around their neck.
Every student is given a copy of their timetable that tells you the lesson you have, who the teacher is and where to go. Make sure you keep this safe! You can also see this on the Arbor app, or ask your Tutor to give you a copy if you have lost it. We will give you a copy of the school map to help while you are learning where to go too. For the first few days there will be students around to help your class get from one lesson to the next, and anyone you see will be happy to point you in the right direction if you’re lost!
Ask anyone you see to help you – everyone at Woodcote High School is helpful and supportive, so will often walk you to the place you need to be. If you’re not sure where that is, go to Student Services in the main reception, or ask any teacher to check on Arbor and they can tell you where to go.
If you arrive at school late but during Form Time, go straight to your Form Tutor and explain what has happened. If you arrive later than this, you need to go to reception to sign in on the touchscreen so we know you are in school, then go straight to your lesson.
If you are late to Form Time, or to a lesson, there is a detention that day at lunchtime, or the following day if it is p.5. as we know it is so important to be on time so that you are ready to learn.
At WHS we have a no phones policy because it will help you focus and avoid distractions. Every student has a pouch that their phone goes into at the start of the school day, that you can then unlock on your way out at the end of school. Keep this in your bag, then put it on the desk when you are asked to. If you don’t have one of these, your phone MUST be turned off and kept in your bag. If it is seen or heard for any reason then it will be confiscated until the end of term as it is so important that mobile phones don’t distract you.
We are a cashless school so as long as you have had money topped up on your Parent Pay account, you can buy food before school, at break or lunch. Year 7 all go to the Old diner for food. We have hot and cold food options and the main meal menu changes each week, but ranges from roast dinners, to different curries, lasagne, noodles, fish and chips and so much more! You can also choose pasta or jacket potato, or from the salads and sandwiches we have. The patties sold at break are one of our most popular items!
Detentions are only set when students haven’t met our ASPIRE values – this might be for not following instructions, talking in class or not doing your homework. If this happens then a detention will be set on Arbor and your parents will be informed. Different types of detentions are different lengths, and are held in specific places – you can find out more from the teacher setting it or on your Arbor portal. You go to the room, register and then work in silence, often completing a reflection on what happened and what you would do differently next time.
