Summary - This case study shows the novel approach of schools across Islington and Camden to tackling transition issues which builds upon the popular appeal of Arsenal football club.   

For the past three years the EPIC (Education Partners in Islington and Camden) EiC Action Zone has funded the Arsenal Study Support Centre, which is based inside Holloway Secondary School, to employ a daytime teacher so that the Centre can be used by the zone schools for additional ICT experience.

In the past year over 850 children, aged from five to eleven, from the six zone primary schools have used the centre and its state of the art ICT facilities. The children have access to the latest equipment, individual support and high quality teaching on topics determined by their own teachers whilst developing high level ICT skills such as internet research skills and use of spreadsheets.

The children are excited by the Centre’s environment (decorated with Arsenal football images) and by the experience of regularly visiting their local secondary school during the normal working day. This positive experience has improved the image of Holloway School for many of the primary children to such an extent that the school is now well over-subscribed as a first choice school at secondary transfer. Over 50% of the pupils in Year 7 now come from the zone primary schools and this percentage is increasing year on year.

The project has shown the importance of providing primary children with real ongoing experiences of the secondary school environment from an early age, in order to break down any negative preconceptions and perceptions about secondary schools, to enable them to make an informed choice when it comes to secondary transfer in Year 6.

Dr. John Crew
Director – EPIC EiC Action Zone