Debunking the myth that children can’t wait to get out of school at the end of the day, Year 7 pupils at Lawn Manor Academy have shown that they can’t get enough of school by taking part in a sleepover in the main hall.
The sleepover was organised as part of their settling in sessions to help them transition into secondary school. A total of 90 pupils brought their sleeping bags and pillows, ready for a night building newly formed friendships and getting closely acquainted with the school they all moved to only weeks ago.
A busy schedule of activities was on offer too during the evening, including games of dodgeball, table tennis and table football, as well as a disco. Staff also took pupils on a moonlit walk up to the site of the old Lawn Manor.
Hot dogs and hot chocolate were served during the evening, and there was popcorn as the group settled down for the night with a film. The morning brought a flurry of activity as children crammed in as many final games of table tennis as possible before packing up their overnight kit and returning home.
Fiona Harper, Head of Year 7 at Lawn Manor Academy, said: “The transition to secondary school can be quite a daunting process for some children and so we spend a lot of time putting on support and activities for them that span their final year at primary school and across the whole of their first year with us. We want them to settle in happily and build the confidence and friendships that will serve them well throughout their time at Lawn Manor Academy.
“There was a really lovely atmosphere throughout the sleepover and staff and students really enjoyed themselves, especially their moonlit walk, which was no mean feat with 90 excited Year 7s! And most impressive of all, I don’t think they even missed their mobile phones!”
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust, formerly the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust.
