This is a successful and enjoyable programme designed to help Year 6 pupils to find out more about their secondary school and the other people who will be moving up with them.
In June 2010, 37 secondary schools welcomed just over 2,000 Year 6 pupils who visited the site to talk to over 380 trained peer mentors, and each other. During the 3-week online programme we experienced a significant amount of traffic during school hours, in the evenings and at weekends. Pupils were very enthusiastic and reported that they had made new friend and felt better about moving to their new school.
In Birmingham, Year 6 pupils were able to log onto their new school site and talk to pupils from Year 7, Year 8 or Year 9 (Peer Mentors). They were able to ask them all about their new school and find out things that only other pupils will know. Peer Mentors have been able to give Year 6 pupils hints and tips about:
what to do at lunch time,
what school clubs they can join,
what sport is popular,
what happens if they forget to hand in their homework,
what to do if they get lost finding a classroom, and....
a whole lot more!
Year 6 pupils were also able to meet others moving to the school at the same time. This means they can start making friends before the Induction day in July. They were able to meet others with the same interests, who may be joining the same clubs and who may be in the same class in September.
How did Year 6 pupils join in?
All that was needed to join in was a computer with an internet connection. Pupils could use the computers at school, if the teachers let them do this, or they could join in from home with their parents' permission and if they had a computer with internet access. Pupils recieved joining instructions from their teacher.
