Unique Little Big School Opens...

A unique ‘mini’ school has been opened inside a large south coast secondary to stop newly-arrived 11-year-olds being overwhelmed and scared by the size of the place.

The purpose-built £500,000 transition school at Oakmead College of Technology in Bournemouth is the first of its kind in the borough, and believed to be only the second in England.

A sixth of pupils do not feel ready to start secondary school, according to government statistics, and this fear is one reason why pupils can struggle in their first years of secondary education.

Key Stage 3 results nationally for 14-year-olds routinely show one in ten pupils failing to progress in reading and writing in the first three years after leaving primary school, and some even regress.

The Specialist Schools & Academies Trust has recommended secondaries set up ‘mini schools,’ such as the one at Oakmead, although many schools have transition policies in place.

VIP guests including Bournemouth Mayor Cllr Beryl Baxter officially opened the ‘school within a school’ and were entertained by youngsters singing and dancing followed by a plaque unveiling.

Dr Annetta Minard, executive head at Oakmead, told guests: “The transition school has been three years in the planning and is funded by ourselves. It is quite unique and we’re very pleased and excited at the opportunities that will now be available to our younger students.”

“Oakmead has two main feeder schools. Our new transition school will make joining Oakmead seamless with new pupils ready, prepared and excited rather than nervous and daunted.

“It is a school in its own right headed by a primary specialist with a staff of primary specialist teachers. It will offer the best of both worlds as well as providing a community resource.

“This is the fruition of a lot of planning and we’re delighted with the outcome.”
Children at the North Bournemouth campus will have the support and guidance of one class teacher for many of their lessons but still be able to access specialist secondary facilities such as science and design and technology.

Oakmead has 1280 pupils on role.