Transition

A guide to organising a ‘buddy’ programme. Through their extensive research, the authors of this book have found that there are still significant aspects of the transition into Year 7 that make the process difficult for new students. These include, for example:

• Getting lost
• Friendships
• Homework

The book provides a comprehensive programme to train all Year 7 pupils in the skills needed to be ‘buddies’ to the new Year 7s arriving in the autumn term. As well as supporting the new pupils, the research indicates other positive effects of peer support systems, including:

• Increased self-confidence and awareness
• Improved social skills
• A positive influence on the school climate.

The book covers areas such as the roles and limits of the buddy, listening skills, getting help, volunteering and developing ‘buddy’ skills.

130pp, A4, ring binder Age: 11-12

Content:

• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Part One
• Setting the Scene on Transition
• Introduction
• The Current Climate
• Chapter 1 - A Review of the Literature
• Chapter 2 - Research Conducted by Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service Working Group
• Chaper 3 - Introducing the Buddy Scheme
• Part Two
• Training for Transition Buddies
• Using the Training Material
• Summary of Activities and Resources
• Activity 1: Student Empathy
• Activity 2: Be Prepared
• Activity 3: Objectives of the Transition Buddy Course
• Activity 4: Role of the Transition Buddy
• Activity 5: Limits of the Transition Buddy Role
• Activity 6: Attributes of a Transition Buddy
• Activity 7: Listening
• Activity 8: Active Listening and Body Language
• Activity 9: Active Listening - Encouraging Others to Talk
• Activity 10: Encouraging Others to Talk
• Activity 11: Speaker Openers
• Activity 12: Questions and Clarifying
• Activity 13: Considering the Effects of Giving Different Responses
• Activity 14: Everyday Problem-solving
• Activity 15: Help, I'm Lost
• Activity 16: Transition Buddies in My School
• Activity 17: Volunteering and Evaluating Appendices Primary SENCO Questionnaire
• Year 7 Transition Pupil Questionnaire
• Year 7 Transition Pupil Questionnaire and Findings
• Exploring the Responses to the Questionnaire
• References