We know it can be a daunting time for Parents/Carers as your child moves on to Secondary School. Please reassure yourself with the quotes and perceptions below from current Parents at The William Allitt School.

“The William Allitt School has given my son the confidence and opportunities to follow an interest he loves. It’s great to get a phone call on a Friday evening telling you how well your child is doing and that they are in the top 20 students in their year for achievement points, also that they are a pleasure to have in the school. This is not only a credit to us as a family but also a credit to the school for providing the right environment for students to reach their goals”.  

- Parent of a Year 8 student

“I was the foster carer of a child whose primary school life was littered with issues, culminating with a report from the school he was leaving, suggesting he was not suitable for main stream education. William Allitt, with a combination of caring staff who went the extra mile and the Opening Minds initiative in Year 7, helped to turn that child into a credit to himself and the school. He left school with happy memories and a great work ethic which has seen him make a great start to adult life."

- Chair of Governors

"My children had a great start to adult life during their time at William Allitt. The Opening minds initiative particularly helped during the transition from Primary to Secondary, a period that can be very stressful for students and parents!”

- Parent/Governor

“Since starting Year 7 my son has flourished as both a student and a young man. His approach is always positive & he enjoys all subjects, exceeding the year group targets in most areas. The Opening Minds curriculum in Year 7 gave him the confidence to try a broad range of subjects, but in a one class format which I believe is the perfect transition from the Primary format into Secondary. As a Year 8 pupil he is continuing to blossom as a student and enjoys a range of after school activities which the school has on offer. The school provides a friendly welcoming environment which is so important to new starters. I would definitely recommend William Allitt to any parent searching for their son or daughters secondary school”.

- Parent of a Year 8 & 10 student

“We were nervous when our son was moving up to ‘big school’ after all he was still our little boy. He had a visit at Primary School by Mrs Leckie and that really made a positive impression on him and he was really excited at visiting the school for a day visit. After this visit there was no looking back!  He loved the Opening Minds programme and the chance to discuss anything and everything; he still talks about Year 7 now even though he is in Year 9.  He really enjoys going to school and feels he has a voice and a value as a student at the school.  He can't wait to choose his subjects for Year 10 and 11. There are a number of extra-curricular activities he enjoys and loves the school trips that are organised throughout the year. We look forward to watching his educational and emotional needs continue to be fulfilled at William Allitt”.

- Parents of a Year 9 student

“Both of our children made a transition from a very small village primary school to William Allitt. On each occasion, Year 7 staff came to our village to meet the children who were to attend and spent time getting to know them, their interests and aspirations, and their worries or concerns about moving to such a large school. In our son's case, he was the only boy in a group of five moving to the school. Mrs Leckie found out from him if he knew any other boys who were to attend the school-he was then placed in a form with a friend from his football club, which definitely supported his transition to secondary school”.

- Parents of a Year 8 & 9 student

"During my son's time at William Allitt he took up the offer to play the Tenor Horn. This was a great opportunity and helped him with all the benefits associated with learning a new skill. It also bought us, as a family, a great deal of pleasure attending concerts and associated performances".   

-Parent