Transition to Secondary School

The move from primary to secondary school is a significant step in a child's life, often filled with mixed emotions. While many pupils are excited, others may feel anxious about leaving behind familiar routines, friends, and teachers. Parents, primary schools, and secondary schools all play a vital role in helping Year 6 pupils navigate this transition smoothly. Here’s how each can provide effective, practical support.

What Parents Can Do

Parents and carers are the most constant source of support during this change. Here are some practical ways they can help:

• ‍Talk Regularly: Have open, calm conversations about the move. Ask what your child is looking forward to and what they’re worried about.‍
• Visit the New School: Attend open days and induction events together. If your child has particular needs (e.g. SEN) then arrange a specific meeting with the secondary school SENCo to discuss them in advance.‍
• Build Independence: Let children pack their own school bag, put their uniform ready, make a simple packed lunch, or set an alarm to wake themselves up.
• ‍Set and Practice Routines Early: A few weeks before September, begin the secondary school bedtime and morning routines to ease the adjustment.  Some children will benefit from a trial run of their journey in the morning – walking the way to their new school or practising using the public transport route together.‍
• Use Transition Books: Some schools offer transition workbooks with visuals, tasks and prompts. Go through these together.‍
• Label Everything: New uniforms and equipment can easily get lost—make sure everything is clearly named.

 How Primary Schools Can Help

Primary schools are in a unique position to prepare pupils emotionally and socially. Practical strategies include:

• ‍Hold Transition Lessons: Use PSHE lessons and resources to explore change, friendship, managing emotions, discussing the expectations and new routines of secondary schools. ‍
• Invite Guest Speakers: Bring in Year 7 pupils to share their experiences or invite secondary school staff to answer questions.‍
• Run Transition Projects: Get students to research their new school, write about their hopes and fears, or create "All About Me" profiles for their future teachers.‍
• Targeted Support: Identify pupils who may need extra help (e.g. those with SEND, young carers, or anxious children) and offer one-to-one or small group sessions and /or to be part of an enhanced transition process – most secondary schools offer this. ‍
• Encourage Peer Support: Pair Year 6 students to support one another and build social confidence before the transition.

 How Secondary Schools Can Support

Secondary schools can ease the transition with thoughtful planning and personalised outreach:

• ‍Host Transition Days: Let pupils spend a day at the school experiencing some key lessons, breaktimes, using the canteen and meeting key staff.‍
• Provide Starter Packs: Share clear, simple information for pupils and parents about uniform, equipment, map of the school, homework, and key contacts.‍
• Create Buddy Systems: Match new Year 7 pupils with older students who can guide them in the first weeks.‍
• Communicate Early and Often: Send welcome letters, videos, or newsletters before term begins to familiarise pupils with faces and spaces.‍
• Involve Pastoral Teams Early: Have Year 7 tutors, heads of year, or SENCOs connect with pupils who may need extra reassurance.‍
• Follow up after the Start: Hold check-in meetings in the first half-term to identify any settling-in issues quickly.

Conclusion

Transitioning to secondary school is a shared journey, not just a single event.  Parents, primary teachers, and secondary schools can work together in collaboration with practical steps and open communication to help pupils feel safer, more confident, and better prepared for the exciting opportunities ahead.

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