School Life

Transition From Primary School

The transition from primary to secondary school is one of the most momentous events in a young person’s life to date. It can be an anxious if exciting time. Your child will meet new friends, negotiate a new and extensive buildings, a range of subject teachers and take on a stimulating and challenging program of learning both academic and social and emotional. Hendon School Provision for Deaf Students is here to help to make the transition as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Usually the first contact your child will have with Hendon School PDS is our Year 5 Funday. This is an opportunity for a group of children with their primary school teacher to visit the school and join in with light hearted sports, art and craft activities. It is also a chance to meet other current PDS students in the year group and staff. We hope that this relaxed and enjoyable event will relieve some of the worries about secondary school. There is absolutely no pressure or expectation that the visitors will subsequently apply to Hendon PDS but we are of course delighted when so many do so!

Early in year 6 the mainstream school holds an open event for prospective students and their parents. This is an opportunity to tour the school, meet the mainstream staff and sample some of the delights of learning at Hendon School. PDS staff always attend and are available to answer questions and meet with prospective parents and their children. We are happy to meet and speak to all parents and students whether deaf or hearing especially those interested to learn how having a provision for deaf students can enrich the mainstream setting

PDS staff have a long history of liaising with our primary school colleagues.  If parents decide to apply for a place at Hendon School PDS they will usually be informed by their home borough by March 1st of year 6.  After the place has been accepted we all work together to ensure that key information is exchanged throughout the transition period. Under normal circumstances PDS staff would attend the year 6 annual review for the child.

In the summer term there are usually further opportunities for children to visit both the mainstream school to meet their form tutors and classmates as well as the PDS staff and students. This year, due to the pandemic, most of this transition process is being conducted remotely. But be assured everyone at Hendon School can’t wait to welcome our new arrivals in September and we will do our best to make up to them for the fun times they may feel they have missed

There has been a provision for deaf students at Hendon school since 1979 and many young deaf people have passed through over the years. Many still return to visit and to update us on their lives. It is a source of enormous pride and pleasure to those of us who have the privilege to work with the deaf young people that we can play some small part in setting them on course for healthy happy and fulfilling lives, The adventure starts here!

Here is a useful link by the NDCS.

Please take a look at our Welcome to Hendon School PDS Video: