Year 6 Transition

Dear Prendergast Ladywell Parent / Carer

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Prendergast Ladywell School at the start of the next academic year. The transition to Secondary School represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for all students, with the promise of many enjoyable and successful school years ahead. 

The transition from primary school to secondary school may seem like a massive step, but it represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for all students. The start of this new chapter promises many enjoyable and successful school years ahead with multiple opportunities for you all to learn, grow and to be part of a community. Throughout your school journey you will be given many opportunities to allow you to meet new people and be able to develop your confidence throughout the years. We understand that it is a huge transition from primary school, but we are here to guide you and make you feel welcomed in our school. 

In our school, we work hard to ensure students are demonstrating CARES values every day. We believe all students can Achieve Excellence; it is the motto written on the badge of every student. 

Please keep checking this page for important information and updates. If you do have any questions, please feel free to email me at rsmithers.pl@lsfed.com

I look forward to meeting you. 

Ms R Smithers - Transition Lead

Please see here for our Y6 PE Gallery:

PE Video Gallery/207/video-gallery/cat/15/y6-transition

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Important information (Welcome Pack)

Please read our Welcome Booklet​ from 2024, which is full of important information about joining PLS.

You will also find the following documents useful:

• Attendance Leaflet

• The Cashless Guide to PLS

• Details on how to apply for Free School Meals.

• Please see the Uniform page for further details on the uniform and where you can buy it.

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The transition from primary school to secondary school is a significant milestone, which can be daunting for some young people. We want to make this process as simple and easy as possible by providing plenty of opportunity for our future pupils to familiarise themselves with their new environment as soon as they can.

Every year, we deliver a varied programme of events to aid with the transition to Prendergast Ladywell School. Below is an outline of how the process works for students joining us; we generally have similar dates each year.

We currently use an online system to collect enrolment forms and supporting documents, followed by a face to face meeting to complete the process.

We use ParentMail to communicate with our incoming Year 7s, who may also check out this page for more information specific to their joining in September. 

Monday 3 March	National Offer Day
Monday 17 March	Deadline for accepting your place (please return your reply form to us at PLS and reply to any offer received via eadmissions)
w/c Monday 22 April TBC	We will invite families to join ParentMail
w/c Monday 22 April TBC	We will invite families to complete the online enrolment form
Sunday 4 May	Deadline to complete online enrolment form
w/c Tuesday 6 May TBC	We email an appointment slot to families who have completed their enrolment forms (At the moment these are proposed to be held on Monday 19 May, or Monday 2 June)
Monday 19 May TBC	We use a combination of online enrolment forms and a face-to-face meeting     Student enrolment meetings (by appointment from 2pm)
Monday 2 June TBC	We use a combination of online enrolment forms and a face-to-face meeting    Student enrolment meetings (by appointment from 3.15pm)
Tuesday 1 July	Student familiarisation: Induction Day (8.45am - 12.30pm)
w/c Tuesday 26 August TBC	Summer School for new Year 7s. Tuesday - Friday, mornings only.    Information are sent via a ParentMail Form and sign-ups must be received promptly.
Tuesday 2 September	Year 7 starts school (Head start day, am only)
Wednesday 3 September	School starts for all year groups

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Free school lunches

At Prendergast Ladywell School, a hot healthy lunch costs £2.75 per day (£13.75 per week). If your family receives certain benefits, your child may be entitled to free school meals, which could save you over £400 a year! This money is credited directly to your child's account daily at 12noon, so no one knows who receives free school meals.

In addition to free school meals, PLS will receive extra money (pupil premium) to benefit your child’s education. 

Apply online at https://eyproviders.lewisham.gov.uk/SynergyWeb/ - or click to read more information on free school meals.

Don’t miss out – apply today.

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Contact

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First day for Y7s: Tuesday 2 September 2025 (morning only)

We hold a morning session only for our new Year 7s at the beginning of September, so they have the opportunity to get used to the building before the rest of the school returns the following school day. This is a very important day for our new starters, and we delay the rest of the school starting until the next day so that we can dedicate this time exclusively to our Y7s.

      Outline of the day:

08:20am	Students arrive at School
08:30 - 09:00am	Year 7 meet in KS3 playground in Tutor Groups
09:00 - 09:50am	Tutor Time session: student organisation (equipment, planners, timetables)
09:50 - 10:50am	Orientation tour of the school
10:50 - 11:10am	Break
11:10 - 12:30pm	Tutor Group induction activities

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Open Events in September 2025

Our Open Events follow the same pattern every year, but have not yet been confirmed for September 2026 entry. Mr Hand, Headteacher, introduces key members of staff and gives a deeper insight into Prendergast Ladywell School.

You are invited to explore our website, or get in touch with any questions you may have.

The dates for the last programe of events is below, so you can see the pattern we follow. They will be updated in spring 2025.

The programme began with an Open Evening on Tuesday 10 September from 6pm to 8pm. 

The dates for our Open Mornings were as follows, running from 9.15am to 10.30am:

Thursday 12 September

Tuesday 17 September

Thursday 19 September

Tuesday 24 September

We also scheduled a Virtual Open Evening on Thursday 19 September from 6pm to 8pm, with no limits on numbers! This online event was hosted by Mr Hand, where he delivers his presentation and answers questions posted on the forum. 

Please read the FAQs from September 2020 or the more recent FAQs from September 2022 for more information on the school.

Here are some comments from past events: 

I really enjoyed all of the different facilities that I was shown… you are doing very well. I am looking forward to coming here. I was very excited and looking forward to seeing the school after checking the website. I was even more impressed! My child will be coming in September. Thank you. I have enjoyed my time here. I think I will have a good education here next year.