Brynteg’s Helping Hands Transition Programme

The Helping Hands Programme is a long-standing, successful initiative at Brynteg. The programme is specifically designed to provide an extra layer of support to vulnerable pupils during the move from Primary to Secondary education.

Purpose and Impact

Research shows that the transition from Primary schools can be a period of distress for some students. Sometimes leading to a dip in academic progress or school disengagement. Helping Hands aims to prevent long-term disengagement and school refusal by allowing our most vulnerable learners feel secure, known, and capable from day one.

Who is the programme for?

Helping Hands is a referral-based programme offered to a small, specific group of pupils who may struggle with the transition due to:

• High levels of anxiety or low emotional resilience.
• Neurodiversity (ND) or specific Additional Learning Needs.
• Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) or school refusal.
• Significant personal changes or challenges outside of school.

Pupils are identified and referred to the programme by their Primary School and invited to join if they meet the specific criteria.

What Does the Programme Involve?

The programme consists of two separate sessions hosted by the Brynteg Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Team. These sessions provide an extended opportunity for pupils to familiarise themselves to their new environment through:

• Peer Mentoring: Meeting ALN staff and older pupils (Years 7–9) who previously graduated from the Helping Hands programme.
• Taster Lessons: Engaging in active sessions to build familiarity with the school layout.
• Team Building: Activities designed to develop communication and collaborative skills.
• Support Mapping: Pupils create their own ‘Helping Hands’, identifying a network of supportive individuals at home, in the community, and within their new school.

Family Involvement

We believe transition is a journey for the whole family. In the final session:

• Parents and Carers are invited to meet the ALN Manager, Head of Year, and Assistant Head of Year.
• Q&A: An informal opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns.
• Celebration: Pupils join their families to receive a Certificate of Attendance, marking their successful preparation for secondary school.