New Year 7 September 2024
We are very much looking forward to our new Year 7 intake beginning their journey at Trumpington Community College in September 2024. Lots of work is already going on behind the scenes in order to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Key Dates
Friday 1st March 2024: National Offer Day - the Local Authority will notify you of your place at the College.
Monday 1st July 2024: Induction day for students joining the College in Year 7 September 2024.
Monday 1st July 2024: Induction Evening for all parents / carers and students joining us in Year 7 September 2024, 6pm. Hear from members of the Senior Team and learn about life at the College.
Thursday 5th September 2024: Start of term
Opportunities to visit the College
For parents and prospective students to see the school in action; come for a tour with the Head of School and the opportunity for a more informal Q&A with a cup of tea. Dates / times listed below. Please book your place here.
Dates
Tuesday 23rd April 9am
Friday 26th April 9am
Tuesday 30th April 9am
Friday 3rd May 9am
Friday 10th May 9am
Tuesday 14th May 9am
Friday 17th May 9am
Tuesday 21st May 9am
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (Students)
Who will my form tutor be?
We have a team of tutors who are led by Ms Camfield. We will share your tutor group and the name of your tutor with you before you join us.
Will I be in a tutor group with my friends?
We cannot guarantee that children will be placed in tutor groups with their friends. It is, however, important to remember that you will be in classes with lots of different people from other tutor groups during lessons. This means that, even if you are not in the same tutor group as your friends, you may be in the same lessons as some of them.
How many different lessons will I have?
You will have lots of lessons and this will feel different to your primary school where you are likely to have stayed with one teacher for most of the time. Our curriculum offers you experience of a broad range of subjects.
How long are lessons?
Each single lesson is 1 hour long. The school day starts at 8:25am with line ups in tutor groups with a morning address. This is followed by a 15 minute session in your tutor group or assembly. After lunch we have line ups agin followed by a 30 minute session called 'And Now ......... Read'. Our College Day can be found here
If I am worried about something who can I talk to?
Your form tutor will make sure that you settle into secondary school life. If you are worried about anything they should be the first person that you go to. We also have a number of safeguarding staff in the College who you can talk to.
Frequently Asked Questions (Parents and Carers)
As a parent, how can I support my child in preparing for secondary school?
Starting secondary school is a significant milestone in a child's life. It marks a passage into adolescence and brings about several significant changes. They will go from being the oldest in school to being the youngest, having to find their way around a large new school with different teachers for different subjects. They will also have to take more responsibility, such as:
- taking a new and unfamiliar route
- planning for each day's timetable
- making sure they have the right books and equipment
- doing homework most evenings, which has to fit into their routine alongside other interests
All of this will have to fit into your child’s new routine, alongside their other interests and the often daunting prospect of becoming a teenager. It can take time for children to adjust to these new responsibilities.
As a parent, talking to your child and reassuring them is the best way to make sure that they are ready for their first day at 'big school'. Once your child has started school, make time to talk and listen to your child each day to check how things are going. Just giving attention in this way can help your child feel supported and more confident. However, resist the temptation to ask too many questions, especially when a child first gets home from school and is likely to be tired, hungry and short-tempered from coping with many new people and things.
What do I do if I have a question about something?
If you are the parent or carer of a student who is due to join us in Year 7 in September 2024 and have a question, please email transition2024@trumpingtoncc.org.uk.
How will I know how my child has settled in to Year 7?
We are planning to hold an informaiton evening in September when you will have the opportunity to speak with your child's form tutor.
I am really worried about my child starting secondary school. What can I do?
Having a child is a bit like a long journey towards redundancy! In those early years, you are indispensable but as time progresses your child grows in their independence and detachment from you. This is, of course, a wonderful journey but starting secondary school can be a difficult milestone for some parents.
Take time to consider how your emotions might be influencing their preparations. Often disagreements about clothing and how they travel to school are really a parental reaction to realising their child is accelerating towards adulthood.
Be sure that you are focused on the real concerns and fears of your child.
How do I make sure my child is organised for school each day?
Starting secondary school brings with it changes in how your child will need to approach their education. They will have to become more responsible as they attend their timetable of classes, manage homework and (hopefully) remember to bring the correct books.
It can be tempting to do this for them. However, the transition to secondary school is about increasing their independence and self-reliance. Therefore help them to get organised by planning a night before routine or make up a checklist of what they need each day based on their timetable.
Then step back and let them pack their bag and prepare their kit for the school day.
My child will be making their way to school on their own. Have you got any advice about this?
Starting secondary school often means travelling further from home. Now public transport or walking with friends to school may be their preference or a necessity.
Help calm any new term jitters by travelling the route with them in advance. Show them the route via car, public transport, cycling or walking.
If your child is going to be travelling to school by bicycle, make sure that they are competent and understand how to be safe. We always advise that children wear a cycle helmet. Children should also bring a lock to secure their bicycle in our designted cycle parking area. We recommend a combination lock to avoid problems if they should lose the key.
There are lockers available to hire for the duration of your child's time at Trumpington. These can be used to store their coats, PE kits and other belongings. The cost is £25 for the full 5 years. Information on how to hire a locker will be provided in the coming weeks.