ASSOCIATED PRIMARY SCHOOLS
The majority of pupils in The Gordon Schools come from our associated Primary Schools.
- Cairney School
- Clatt School
- Drumblade School
- Forgue School
- Gartly School
- Glass School
- Gordon Primary
- Insch School*
- Kennethmont School
- Largue School
- Lumsden School†
- Premnay School*
- Rhynie School
- Oyne School*
† Dual-zoned for The Gordon Schools & Alford Academy
*Dual-zoned for The Gordon Schools & Inverurie Academy
TRANSITION FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY
To assist in the transition from Primary to Secondary, a number of teachers liaise with our associated Primary Schools throughout the session, including staff from the Guidance team, Learning Support, the Senior Management team, English, Mathematics and Modern Languages staff. Huntly Associated Schools Group meets regularly to co-ordinate developments. Cluster groups of Primary staff from associated Primary schools join with Secondary colleagues to review aspects of the P6-S1 curriculum and to co-ordinate developments.
An open evening for parents and guardians of pupils in Primary 7 is held early in the New Year. There are opportunities to meet senior staff and pupils from the school. Tours of the school are arranged, to view resources and curricular work in different subject areas. The Prospectus is issued in advance of this, along with newsletters and other advice leaflets.
A series of visits by secondary staff to associated Primary Schools in the summer term is followed by a three-day visit by Primary 7 pupils to The Gordon Schools in June. Visits are organised by members of the Senior Management team and Guidance staff and are hosted by Prefects and senior students. The days are varied and lively. An easy-to-follow Welcome Booklet is prepared each year, giving advice, facts, rules and information. To make the transition as smooth as possible and to lessen the impact of change, pupils meet new teaching staff in settled groups. They have an opportunity to learn about the secondary curriculum, to meet a range of subject departments and to see the range of new facilities, buildings and layouts. In addition, a small group of pupils meet on a regular basis in the summer term to support them in the transition to secondary.
During the visit, a Parent’s Evening is held in our Assembly Hall, involving brief specialist talks, presentations about the school, a fashion parade of school wear and presentations by first year pupils. There is an opportunity in an informal setting to ask questions, talk and establish contacts. The aim of all of this is to make sure that transition between Primary and Secondary is as smooth as possible. Senior pupils also act as Buddies to support first year pupils as they settle in school.
Families of pupils enrolling outwith transition time meet with Mr Alan Johnston, Depute Rector. Time is made available to provide parents with a guided tour and to give advice and information about school life