Step Up Transition Programme

Irlam and Cadishead Academy is a welcoming, ambitious, and nurturing secondary school that seeks to give students a genuine enjoyment of learning. Guided by our values of Respect, Enthusiasm, Ambition, and Determination, we have a relentless drive to ensure the best possible education for our students. 

We are proud to have established a culture of high expectations and high aspirations and through a broad curriculum and extracurricular programme, we aim to give our students every opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to become caring and confident citizens of tomorrow. 

We know that a successful transition into Year 7 starts early through positive relationships with our local primary schools and offer of an engaging, nurturing programme to prepare your students for the next stage of their education. 

We believe that the earlier your child engages with secondary school the better they will settle into secondary school in Year 7.  In Year 4, we invite Year 4 to take part in 3 events throughout the year as an introduction to the school. 

Our Step Up Programme provides a fully immersive experience at Irlam and Cadishead Academy for your child starting from Year 5.

Year 5 Step Up Graduation Programme 

Our bespoke year 5 Step Up graduation programme allows students to visit and familiarise themselves with academy life. Students take part in all secondary school subjects over 9 months. They will experience subjects they may not have encountered in primary school such as Word work, ceramics, and food tech. They will also meet staff members and get a feel for a larger learning environment. 

Every student will receive a subject badge once they have completed each workshop and graduate from our programme in July which will be celebrated with family and friends here at ICA. 

Once you have accepted your child's place at Irlam and Cadishead Academy, we will begin to work with you and your child to get them high school ready!