ON Thursday 26th June, Stewards Academy proudly welcomed 203 enthusiastic Year 6 pupils from a wide range of primary schools for a highly anticipated Taster Day. This special event was designed to give our new intake a real taste of life at secondary school, and it did not disappoint! Pupils were warmly greeted in the morning by senior staff and prefects before being placed in their new tutor groups—many for the very first time. Although a few nervous faces were seen early on, it didn’t take long for those nerves to settle as the children began to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and routines.

The day began with a short, formal assembly in the Flexi-Suite led by Max Steele, Head of Year 7, and Jo Bartlett, our dedicated KS2-3 Transition Lead. During this session, pupils were introduced to their Peer Mentors—friendly faces who supported them throughout the day—and were given an overview of what to expect and the key behaviours that would help them to make the most of their time at Stewards. From there, pupils made their way to the quad, ready to begin their first ever secondary school lessons.

Throughout the day, students took part in an exciting rotation of lessons across a range of subjects. In Modern Foreign Languages, pupils learned animal vocabulary through games and word searches—with Elizabeth Thomas’ class enjoying a fun twist as they triumphed in a lively teacher-versus-class contest! In Science, hands-on experiments exploring the properties of water thrilled our young learners. From floating and sinking investigations to launching a hydrogen rocket and creating a colourful density rainbow, there was no shortage of awe and wonder. In Art, students explored the expressive world of Wassily Kandinsky, creating beautiful abstract group paintings inspired by music and synaesthesia. Maths saw students diving into the world of Vedic squares, finding digital roots, identifying patterns, and even creating mathematical artwork. Technology, History, and other subjects also offered an engaging snapshot of the creative and dynamic learning environment that awaits in September.

To bring the day to a grand finale, all pupils came together for an outstanding Performing Arts Showcase featuring the incredible talents of our Year 7-10 performers. The music and dance acts were met with enthusiastic applause and an electric atmosphere filled the room. This memorable afternoon left a lasting impression on our visitors, many of whom departed feeling inspired and excited for the new school year ahead.

Jo Bartlett, KS2-3 Transition Lead, said: “The behaviour, enthusiasm, and maturity shown by our visitors was nothing short of exceptional. The effort and engagement across all sessions impressed staff, and it’s clear that our future Year 7s are ready to rise to the challenge of secondary school life.

Well done to all Year 6 pupils for your positive attitudes and outstanding contributions—you have already made us proud. We can’t wait to welcome you fully into the Stewards Academy family in September!”