JOINING RAINHILL
Welcome to
Rainhill.
Starting secondary school is an exciting milestone. We also understand that it can feel like a big change for pupils and their families.
At Rainhill, transition begins long before the first day of Year 7. We welcome pupils from primary schools across St Helens and Knowsley, bringing together children from different schools and communities to become one Rainhill year group.
Through our work with primary schools from Year 4 onwards, pupils have opportunities to get to know Rainhill, meet our staff and experience aspects of secondary school life.
BY SEPTEMBER, WE WANT EVERY PUPIL TO FEEL
Known. Prepared. Confident. Ready to belong.
Throughout transition, we work closely with pupils, families, primary schools and other professionals so that we understand each child and can support them to make a successful start.
JOINING RAINHILL
Apply for a Year 7 Place
Applications for Year 7 are made through your home local authority.
For families living in St Helens, applications are made through St Helens Borough Council School Admissions. Families living in Knowsley or another local authority can also apply for Rainhill by applying through their own council and naming Rainhill High School as one of their preferences.
SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY
Key Application Dates
These are the key dates families need to be aware of when applying for a Year 7 place.
31 OCTOBER 2026
Application Deadline
Applications for a secondary school place must be submitted to your home local authority by this date.
1 MARCH 2027
National Offer Day
Families are notified of the secondary school place they have been allocated.
YOUR JOURNEY TO RAINHILL
Familiarity Builds Over Time
Our transition programme begins well before Year 6. Each stage helps pupils become increasingly familiar with Rainhill, our staff, our expectations and our community.
YEAR 4
01
Discover
Try something new. Meet us. Explore Rainhill.
Our relationship with local primary schools begins early. Year 4 pupils may take part in subject workshops, science and technology challenges, sport, music and performing arts, literacy and numeracy activities, competitions and special events.
The emphasis is on positive experiences — discovering something new, meeting Rainhill staff and pupils and becoming familiar with our school.
YEAR 5
02
Experience
Learn with us. Build confidence. Discover more.
In Year 5, pupils may experience secondary-style lessons, practical and creative activities, enrichment, specialist facilities and opportunities to work with Rainhill staff and pupils.
These experiences build familiarity and confidence so that, by Year 6, Rainhill feels recognisable, welcoming and exciting rather than completely new.
OPEN EVENING
03
Explore
Meet our community. See our school. Imagine yourself here.
Open Evening gives pupils and families the opportunity to explore Rainhill together, visit subject areas, meet staff and pupils and discover our curriculum, pastoral support, Character Curriculum, enrichment and wider opportunities.
Most importantly, children can begin to picture themselves as a Rainhill pupil.
YEAR 6
04
Prepare
Get to know us. Get ready. Begin to belong.
Once places are allocated, transition becomes much more personal. Our focus moves from introducing children to Rainhill to getting to know the individual pupils who will be joining us.
We work closely with Year 6 teachers and, where appropriate, SEND, safeguarding, attendance and pastoral colleagues. Parents and carers are also invited to share information about their child.
This helps us understand individual strengths, needs and circumstances and put appropriate support in place before September.
EXPERIENCE LIFE AT RAINHILL
Two Transition Days
Every new pupil takes part in two Transition Days, beginning to experience what being a Rainhill pupil is really like.
01
Meet
Meet their Form Tutor, form group, pupil mentors and student leaders.
02
Learn
Experience lessons and begin to understand what learning at Rainhill feels like.
03
Explore
Learn their way around school and become familiar with important routines.
04
Belong
Begin making friendships and building confidence as part of their new year group.
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
Supporting Every Pupil
Every child experiences transition differently.
Our new Year 7 brings together pupils from primary schools across St Helens and Knowsley. Some children arrive knowing many other pupils; others may know only one or two, or no one at all.
ONE YEAR GROUP
Building New Relationships
Our transition programme gives pupils opportunities to make new friendships, meet their Form Tutor and form group and build relationships across their new year group before September.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
When a Pupil Needs More
Some pupils may benefit from extra visits, opportunities to meet key adults, greater familiarisation or other personalised arrangements.
Our work with families and primary schools helps us identify this early, particularly for pupils with SEND, medical, safeguarding or pastoral needs.
OUR APPROACH
Not every child needs exactly the same transition.
Our aim is to give every child what they need to make a successful start and feel that they belong at Rainhill.
HOME & SCHOOL
Working With Families
A successful transition is a partnership between your child, home and school.
YEAR 6 INFORMATION EVENING
Getting Ready for September
Following the allocation of places, families are invited to our Year 6 Information Evening to meet key staff and find out what to expect before September.
EXPECTATIONS MEETING
A Conversation About Your Child
Every family is offered an individual Expectations Meeting with a senior member of staff.
This gives us time to talk about your child, answer questions and discuss practical matters including uniform, equipment, attendance, school routines, expectations, mobile phones, online safety and communication.
STARTING THE RELATIONSHIP WELL
A conversation, not simply a letter or email.
If you are concerned about your child, or have a concern more generally, we encourage you to talk to us early on so that we can work together.
YEAR 7
Belong
By the first day of Year 7, we want pupils to recognise familiar faces, know their Form Tutor, understand the important routines, have begun making friendships and know where to go if they need help.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WANT EVERY NEW PUPIL TO FEEL
I belong at Rainhill.
Discover
Experience
Explore
Prepare
Belong
This is the beginning of the next stage of their Rainhill journey — developing the knowledge, character, confidence and relationships to Learn, Think, Contribute and Care in the Pursuit of Excellence.
Our Star of Rainhill winners — Year 6 pupils recognised for their achievements, character and contribution, many of whom we will be welcoming to Rainhill as Year 7 pupils in September.