Supporting the transition from primary to secondary schools

For many children, the move from primary school to secondary school is a daunting prospect. The Covid pandemic has heightened some of the issues and vulnerabilities that young people face, and schools are seeing increasing cases of anxieties and behavioural challenges. Following the success of their summer transition support programme in Spelthorne last year, Eikon was keen to introduce the programme to children and young people in Elmbridge. A Walton Charity Community Grant of £45,000 will fund early intervention support for 25 Elmbridge children for the next three years.

Eikon is an award-winning charity that has been providing long-term support to young people in Surrey for over two decades.

Nigel Goddard, Chair of Trustees, Eikon said “This award is particularly welcome and valued in the present exceptional and unprecedented times when hardly a day goes by without the national Press mentioning the ever-increasing demands for and complexity of the emotional wellbeing and mental health challenges facing children and young people today. Your award will certainly help our planning and financial stability for this programme in the years ahead.”

The summer workshops will help young people who are at risk of exclusion or those with complex needs, low school attendance or those who have strong concerns about transitioning from primary to secondary school.

The young people will work through a series of fun activities including writing, arts and crafts, sports, and games designed to help them overcome anxieties and address challenges. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their concerns with support workers and their peers.

After the summer workshop, youth workers will go into the young people’s secondary schools to provide further support and to help them put their learning into practice. By helping young people develop new skills, and ensuring they have someone to turn to, Eikon can help ensure the young people they work with will have a more positive experience and remain in school.