Learning
Ambition in the classroom.
High expectations, supportive teaching and a focus on helping every pupil move forward.
Transition Hub 2026
Your child’s next chapter starts here.
Everything Year 5 and Year 6 families need in one clear place: Open Evening, Open Mornings, transition, support, key documents and the next steps towards joining St John Plessington.
Summer School video
Use this space for a short welcome film, transition highlights and pupil voices.
31 OctApplications close
Visit SJP
Open Evening, Open Mornings and seeing the school for yourself.
02
Discover life at SJP
Academic life, enrichment, friendships, sport and belonging.
03
Meet the Year 7 team
See who will guide, support and welcome your child.
04Apply with confidence
Clear guidance on what to do and when to do it.
Visit the school
Come and feel the school.
Open Evening helps families understand the atmosphere of SJP; meet pupils and staff, explore departments and get a genuine sense of what day-to-day life feels like. Open Mornings then give a calmer chance to see the school in action during a normal working day.
Open EveningWednesday 9 September 2026
Doors open5.45pm
Presentations6.00pm, 6.45pm and 7.30pm
Life at SJP
More than lessons; this is where confidence grows.
Parents want to know what their child’s experience will feel like. This section brings together the parts of school life that make SJP memorable; the classroom, enrichment, performance, sport and opportunities beyond the school day.
Community
A place to belong.
Friendships, confidence and a strong Catholic community where pupils feel known.
Sport and activity
Play. Compete. Take part.
Sport, teamwork and opportunities to be part of something bigger.
Enrichment
Friday Night Live, trips, creativity, esports and more.
SJP should feel full of possibility. Highlight your performance opportunities, Trust-wide experiences, visits, leadership roles and clubs.
A message from the Headteacher
Welcome to SJP.
Choosing the right secondary school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. At St John Plessington, we work hard to create a school where children are known, valued and encouraged to flourish.
We hope this hub gives you a clear picture of our community, our standards and the opportunities available to your child. We look forward to welcoming you to SJP.
Mr McLoughlin, Headteacher
Starting Year 7
Known from the start.
Transition should feel clear, calm and personal. We guide pupils through the move to secondary school with practical support, friendly faces and regular communication with families.
Before September
Visits, key information and transition updates.
First week
Support with routines, rooms, friendships and confidence.
Every day
Form tutors and year teams who know each pupil.
Meet the Year 7 team
Friendly faces before September.
Add staff photos and profiles here so families can recognise the people who will support, guide and reassure pupils from the start.
Y7
Head of Year 7
Leads transition, supports pupils and keeps a close overview of the year group.
TL
Transition Lead
Main point of contact for key dates, family updates and starting arrangements.
PM
Pastoral Manager
Supports wellbeing, attendance and the day-to-day care of pupils.
SN
SEND Team
Works with families to support pupils who may need additional help.
Support
Known. Supported. Cared for.
Parents need reassurance that their child will feel safe, happy and looked after. These are the areas families ask about most when making a school choice.
Pastoral care
Staff who know pupils well and help them settle quickly into school life.
SEND support
Planning, communication and additional support where it is needed.
Wellbeing
Support with confidence, friendships, routines and any worries about starting secondary school.
Faith and values
A Catholic learning community shaped by compassion, respect, determination and justice.
Parent resources
Everything in one place.
FAQs
Questions parents often ask.
How will my child be supported when they start Year 7?
Through transition activities, clear routines, form tutor support, pastoral care and a year team that knows pupils well.
What if my child feels nervous about secondary school?
This is very common. The transition process is designed to help pupils build confidence gradually and know who to turn to for help.
Can we visit the school after Open Evening?
Yes. Open Mornings are a great way to see the school during a normal day and ask questions in a smaller, quieter setting.
Is there a Summer School before Year 7 starts?
Yes. Summer School helps pupils build confidence, meet staff and settle into the school before September.
What support is available for SEND pupils?
The SEND team works closely with families and primary schools to plan support, communication and a smooth start.
How do I apply for a place?
You apply through your local authority admissions website and submit your preferences before 31 October.
When is the application deadline?
The national closing date for secondary school applications is 31 October. Families should submit their form before this date.
What do pupils need for their first day?
Families will receive clear information about uniform, equipment, start times and where pupils need to go on their first day.
How can I ask a question after visiting?
You can use the enquiry form, contact the school office or attend an Open Morning for more help.
Will my child get involved beyond lessons?
Yes. Sport, enrichment, trips, faith life, Friday Night Live, esports and clubs all help pupils feel part of the community quickly.
Apply for a place
Clear next steps for parents.
Make the path simple. Families should leave this page knowing exactly what to do next and when they need to do it by.
1
Visit your local authority admissions website.
2
Complete the secondary school application form.
3
Add your schools in genuine order of preference.
4
Submit by 31 October and keep your confirmation.
If SJP is your preferred school, put it first on the application form.
Register interest
Keep families warm all the way to application day.
Use this form to collect leads, invite families to Open Evening and Open Mornings, then continue the journey with follow-up emails and reminders right up to 31 October.