The Virtual Transition Resource Pack
This pack contains resources to support you in your school in its use of the
BGfL PLUS to build a successful Transition Phase from Year 6 to Year 7.
It based on the MyClasses section of BGfL PLUS. Year 6 pupils from the feeder
primary schools are enrolled in a Transition Class that is created within your
PLUS account. The enrolment can either be by you directly into the class or
by adding the Year 6 pupil’s PLUS email address to the class. The advantage
of the latter enrolment is that the Year 6 pupil will only need to log into their
existing account to access the class.
In the class the Year 6 pupil’s interact with year 8 mentors to support
transitional problem solving. What is required? Most obviously a BGfL PLUS
account, contact with the feeder primaries, Year 8 training, Year 6
administration and induction, creating the Transition environment, managing
and monitoring the use of the site and maybe some evaluation. This pack
contains support material to help you manage, build and run a successful
Virtual Transition Project.
1. Establishment of a virtual transition project team. These can be selected
from teachers / mentors / head year-7 / head year-8 / transition staff / ICT.
Prepare an action plan
2. Setting up the transition environment and activities. Using MyClasses
create classes for staff / administration, staff training, peer mentor training
and the year-6 programme delivery.
3. Registration of staff.
4. Induction and awareness-raising, staff.
5. Selection of peer mentors and preparing letters for parents / carers re
permission. Registration of peer mentors.
6. Induction and three week on-line training, peer mentors.
7. Selection of year-6 pupils (suggest this is all intending to transfer to the
school) and preparation of letter to parents / carers for permission.
8. Preparation of letters to primary school informing them of the programme
and seeking support in allowing pupils to access computers at lunch time /
after school.
9. Registration of year-6 pupils.
10. Induction, year-6 pupils, delivered by staff and peer mentors at primary
school or secondary school premises. Computer room required.
11. Delivery of Virtual Transition programme on-line for 3 weeks
12. On-site visits to all participating primary schools to offer practical help and
guidance and ensure Y6 pupils can access the online facilities (advised)
13. Evaluation.
You can access the 2004 transition site and its properties at
www.trans2004.bham.org.uk
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Establish the team – action plan
Set up transition site and activities
Induction and awareness-raising
(staff)
Selection of peer mentors and
sending letters to parents
Induction and training of peer
mentors
Development of resources
Letters sent to parents/carers of all
year-6 pupils transferring to the
school
Induction (year-6 pupils)
Delivery of the virtual transition
programme
Evaluation
At regular intervals finishing with final
data collection in October (outcomes)
Participation in the project will commit secondary schools to: -

Identifying a named Virtual Transition Co-ordinator

Establishing a programme team drawn from transition staff, teaching
staff, mentors, heads of year 7 and 8, as appropriate.

Providing online experience for staff.

Liaising with feeder schools re providing year-6 pupils access to the
programme at lunch time and/or after school (three times per week
minimum)

Selecting and recruiting a small group of suitable Year-8 pupils for
training as peer mentors

Providing the names of these Year-8 pupils and securing parental
consent.

Delivering training to peer mentors and offering hands on support.

Development or transference of resources to support and enhance the
programme (Staff and / or peer tutors)

Arranging a 90 minute hands on Induction session for Y6 pupils at
each
participating
primary
school
(secondary
staff
preferably
accompanied by Y8 peer mentors)

Liasing with colleagues from feeder schools to problem solve and help
ensure the success of the project.

Additionally, and if feasible and appropriate, offering a briefing session
to parents of year-6 pupils.
The Virtual Transition Project 2004
A report of the processes and delivery of an elearning programme to support
key stage 2/3 transition.
A report on the final programme evaluation 2004