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Starting big school in September is a little less scary now children have had a chance to try it out.

Students joining Year 7 at Burnt Mill Academy at the start of the new school year have had the opportunity to sample life at secondary school.

Over the summer, the school will open for eight days for the new students to try out lessons, meet their teachers, become familiar with their surroundings and make new friends.

Students will try lessons in PE, English, geography, maths, science and citizenship and have tours of the building.

Dan Bolt, assistant headteacher in charge of Key Stage 3, started the transition process with the year group in September last year by visiting them at primary school.

He said: “Summer school allows our new students to meet new people as they are mixed into groups outside of their usual friendship circles. It makes the transition a lot smoother, so when they start school in September, they know where things are, they recognise friendly faces, have met their teachers and know the expectations placed on them as a Burnt Mill student.

“All of this enables them to feel more comfortable as it can be a very nerve-wracking time for them.

“Having held summer school for many years, we are seeing students starting with us in September far more relaxed which allows them to settle to lessons and build friendships quicker.

“Yes, they are learning during summer school, but it is relaxed and the priority is settling them in.

Out of the 240 students joining Year 7, more than 200 signed up to attend summer school.

Erin Griffiths, 11, joins Burnt Mill from Tany’s Dell Primary School. She said: “I was quite nervous before I attended summer school. But, it has been really good and I have made some really nice friends. It has made it more exciting to start in September. I am excited for the new experiences, like joining the choir and joining in with music and dance.”

Jack Johnson, 11, left Church Langley Primary School this summer. He said: “I have been feeling excited, but quite nervous going from a small primary school to a massive school with lots of older year groups. None of the people I knew from primary school have been in my groups, so I have now met lots of nice people and made new friends. It will definitely help in September. Now I’m not at all worried, so I won’t go home for the summer and be nervous.

“There is a multi-gym here with lots of weights and a treadmill; we did not have anything like that at primary school.”

Rosie Bibby, 11, joins from Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and said: “Everyone is really nice. Our teachers seem nice and we can learn lots of new things from them.”