The idea
This 3 hour interactive forum is an opportunity for a diverse group of young people to share their hopes and fears about their upcoming transition to Secondary school. It will build connections across schools and be an opportunity for pupils to have their voices heard, to feel understood and valued at a key milestone in their lives.
They'll collaborate in small groups, with invited adults, focusing on their situation as Yr 6 pupils and nurturing a sense of a shared Leicester (Year 6) identity, with our city's super-diversity at the core. Adults will include local councillors, MPs and school leaders. Activities will draw out their feelings around school transition and be an opportunity to build understanding between young people from different communities.
They'll discuss how to feed back what they learnt from the event to their school peers and will contribute to the design of a booklet that will be produced as a lasting physical legacy, for all future Yr 6 pupils across our region.
What we'll deliver
- Secure a suitable venue space for 30 children and accompanying / invited adults
- Purchase resources to use in the session
- Produce the plans for the activities
- Invite schools and relevant local adults
- Secure a photographer / videographer for the sessions
- Plan and produce a physical and electronic version of a booklet / toolkit for future Yr 6 pupils
Why it's a great idea
This project gives young people from across the city ta space o have their voices heard and discover they are not alone in having concerns or questions about Secondary school. They will also get to meet and hear from others who they might initially perceive to be 'different' from themselves, and discover their similarities whilst also building greater understanding and appreciation of their differences.
The opportunity to share their own thoughts and feelings, on the transition from Primary to Secondary school, will show them their views are valued, boosting their self esteem.
As just 3 pupils from each invited school will attend, they will be responsible for feeding back to the rest of the Yr 6 pupils at their school, developing their communication skills and confidence.
The project will produce a lasting legacy in a booklet/toolkit that every current/future Year 6 pupil can use to explore their feelings at this important time in their life, ensuring the benefits are long lasting.
Steps to get it done
- Securing a suitable venue space
- Invite schools and guests
- Produce plans and purchase resources
- Contract a videographer/photographer
- Plan and produce a booklet
Potential Community Impact:
- Supports children's emotional resilience
- Builds cross-community understanding
- Provides toolkit for future school transitions
- Showcases Leicester's commitment social cohesion
- Directly supports children's emotional and social development
- Addresses diversity and inclusion at a critical developmental stage
Unique Selling Points
- First-of-its-kind comprehensive Year 6 transition forum
- Builds on Leicester's reputation as the UK's first super-diverse city
- Connects children across multiple schools before secondary transition
Potential Outcomes
- Children experience meaningful cross-school connection
- Schools see practical demonstration of the value of the Leicester Schools Linking Project
- Powerful recruitment materials for Leicester Schools Linking for next year
- Authentic child-led narrative about community building
