Year 6 into Year 7

We will endeavor to visit students in their primary school before they join us.  During the Summer term Mr Carpenter, our Assistant Principal (responsible for transition), and other key staff will be visiting Primary schools to hand out information and deliver a welcome presentation.  Our pastoral staff will meet with primary school staff during this time to ensure all information is shared for a smooth and happy transition.

We look forward to meeting parents on the evening of Wednesday 25th June or Thursday 26th June, depending on which site their child is allocated, as well as welcoming students into the Academy for the two induction days the following week.  This is a great opportunity for the students to experience Academy life and our expectations, whilst receiving an insight into lessons and taking part in some fun activities.  By the end of the induction days, students should feel more confident about joining in September and will have made many new friends.

As part of the transition process, the optional Transition Programme will be held in the week commencing 11th August 2025, there is a cost for this and it can be booked via https://thebigstep.org/school/paignton-academy

In a survey by The Big Step, our Summer School providers, 99% of parents agreed that their child felt more confident about secondary school after attending and 97% of parents agreed their child made new friends - Paignton Academy Transition Programme 2025

We very much look forward to meeting you and working with your young person/s very soon!

Important Dates for the Diary:

Key Dates 2025

Communications home and other useful information:

Please take a look at the links on this page for more information about joining us, we will add to this over the coming months. Our website includes information on almost everything you could want to know about our school. To get you started, here are a few things you might want to look at first:

Ethos & Values       Newsletters      Our Staff       Term Dates      Uniform

Click here to meet the House Teams and the Senior Leadership Team.

Welcome to Paignton Academy: Supporting a Smooth Transition for SEND Students

At Paignton Academy, we are committed to ensuring a seamless and supportive transition for our incoming Year 6 students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We understand that starting secondary school is a significant step, and we strive to provide tailored support to help every student feel confident and prepared for this exciting new chapter.

Click here to meet the team

Key Transition Steps for Students with SEND:

• SENCo-to-SENCo Meetings (March):  Our team of Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCo) will meet with your child’s current SENCo in March. These meetings help us gather detailed information about your child’s specific needs, strengths, and strategies already in place to support their success. This ensures a personalised approach to their learning at Paignton Academy.

• Visits to Primary Schools (May):  In May, our dedicated staff will visit primary schools to meet with Year 6 students. These visits provide an opportunity for our team to connect with students in a familiar environment, answer any questions, and begin building a sense of familiarity and trust.

• Enhanced Transition (June):  By invitation only, we offer an Enhanced Transition program in June for students who may benefit from additional support. This includes smaller group sessions, tailored activities, and opportunities to meet key staff members in advance. The program is designed to reduce anxiety and build confidence ahead of the move to secondary school.

• Transition Days- Thursday 3rd July and Friday 4th July :  All Year 6 students are invited to attend Transition Days in July. These days give students a chance to experience life at Paignton Academy, explore the school environment, meet their new peers, and participate in fun, engaging activities.

• The Big Step Summer School- Monday 11th August to Friday 15th August:  In the summer holidays, we host "The Big Step" Summer School—a fantastic opportunity for students to further familiarise themselves with the school, develop friendships, and engage in fun, confidence-building activities before the new term begins.

• First day of Autumn Term- Wednesday 3rd September : To help ease the transition, the first day of the Autumn term will be dedicated exclusively to Year 7 students. This will give your child the chance to settle in, explore the school, and meet their teachers and classmates in a calm and focused environment.

• A Supportive Start to Secondary School

• We are here to support both students and families throughout the transition process. Our goal is to ensure every child feels welcomed, valued, and set up for success as they join the Paignton Academy community.

• For more information about the SEND transition program or to discuss your child’s individual needs, please do not hesitate to contact Fenella Cooke - Assistant Senco via the following email address: fenella.cooke@paigntonacademy.tsat.uk

For further information regarding the STEPS Provision, please click here: Paignton Academy | Thinking Schools Academy Trust, Warp Design

Please feel free to follow our Paignton Academy Facebook and Instagram page. We are very proud of all our students and their achievements and like to always celebrate their successes! 

Click on Photo Gallery to view some of the amazing opportunities our school has to offer!