City of York Council has joined forces with the University of York to develop a new scheme to help vulnerable Year 7 pupils settle more easily into secondary school life.

The pilot project is being launched in three secondary schools this term and is aimed at boosting the emotional resilience of vulnerable learners so that they are capable of adapting to the major transition of moving schools.

Chris Teesdale, a behaviour support teacher for the council, said: "York has a reputation for being at the forefront of new educational initiatives and this is a prime example of that.

"We have been working closely with Dr Poppy Nash from the Centre for Reading and Language at the University of York to develop the scheme. The scheme aims to provide young people with skills to cope with change, and to make and keep friendships.  It will also help pupils to analyse how they think about the challenges that they encounter and enable them to tackle problems in creative ways.  We can help ease vulnerable pupils through the move to secondary school, which can be a very difficult time."

If the pilot project proves successful, it is hoped that staff at other secondary schools in the city can be given the opportunity to receive the training that they need to implement the scheme.