Curiosity, nervousness and excitement: three emotions that are common for primary children to feel as they move on to secondary school. This transition is one of the most significant moments in a child’s educational journey and, if managed carefully, makes all the difference when it comes to building confidence.
It’s true to say that every child experiences transition and change in their own way, but with the appropriate level of support from parents, carers, teachers and other staff, pupils are likely to settle quicker and with more self-assurance.
Being academically ready is a great start for children as they transition; however, the change from one school to another generally requires the development of a range of skills. Feeling socially confident, emotionally resilient and well prepared are all key to helping children feel reassured and capable of handling the change.
An understanding of the process of change and the challenges children may face can better prepare families and teachers to support children so they move through transition feeling positive and resilient.
Here are five practical ways that create a stable and successful transition from primary to secondary school.
1. Encourage open conversations about change
Children often have worries about making friends, navigating a larger school or coping with homework. Creating regular opportunities in years 5 and 6 or on transition days to talk openly about these concerns can help reduce anxiety and build confidence before the new school term begins.
2. Build independence and organisational skills
Secondary school usually requires pupils to manage their own timetable, equipment and homework. Encouraging independence while in KS2 through routines, time management and personal responsibility can help children feel more prepared.
3. Familiarise children with new environments
Attending transition days, exploring the school journey and reviewing maps or timetables in a familiar group with other pupils they already know can make the new environment feel less overwhelming and more secure before term starts.
4. Support emotional wellbeing and confidence
Transitions can affect children emotionally as they leave familiar teachers and friendships behind. Encouraging positive coping strategies, celebrating strengths and maintaining supportive routines can ease emotional pressures, both in the last months of primary or in the first few weeks and months of secondary.
5. Work closely with parents and carers
Strong communication between families and schools is essential during transition periods. Parents and carers should feel confident reaching out to teachers or pastoral staff if their child may need additional support or reassurance.
Making connections with home, especially for children who require additional support, can make all the difference.
Primary transition resources
Pen pal project: A fantastic resource that asks children to imagine they have an alien pen pal and to complete a variety of writing activities. These include a creative writing task, a recount and a set of instructions. The resource also includes writers' tips.
This is your life!: A great resource that involves the children working in groups to research and then present their material in the style of the popular, long-running TV show 'This is Your Life'. A perfect transition resource to engage your children, celebrate differences and promote collaborative learning at the end of year 6!
Finding the mode, median, mean and range: A KS2 statistics maths activity with a brief explanation and example introducing each of the following terms: mean, median, mode and range. Children go on to tackle their own examples. This transition resource includes answers.
Managing change: Children look at different strategies for managing their behaviour in times of change, and consider how to apply these to a familiar situation. They are also asked what advice they would give to a friend.
Year 6 leavers memory book: This printable 'moving on' memory book is an engaging end-of-year activity for year 6 students, allowing them to reflect on their school experiences, share their favourite memories, and create a personalised keepsake to remember their time at school.
Discover more in our primary transition resource collection.
Secondary transition resources
Year 7 transition activity mats: These printable maths activity mats can be used to support new Year 7s as they transition into secondary school. Each activity mat covers the key topics of algebra, number, geometry, statistics and probability. Answers are included.
20 ideas for transition: Useful for year 7 tutors and class teachers, this resource is a collection of practical and varied tips for helping students with the transition from primary to secondary school.
20 ideas for transition free ebook: Discover practical advice, straightforward classroom management strategies and inclusive approaches to help ensure a smooth transition for your new year 7 students.
Seven steps to great transition - Dave Harris webinar for Teachit Talks: In this 30-minute CPD video and accompanying PowerPoint resource, former Headteacher Dave Harris talks about how secondary school teachers can create an environment to enable smooth transition for primary school children.
Dear form tutor: year 7 transition letter: These sentence starters support new year 7 students in writing a letter to their new form tutor. This would work well in tutor time or in an English lesson, or as part of a year 6 moving up taster session.
Chronological order history worksheet: Three tasks that can be used separately or in sequence to introduce new year 7 students to the concept of chronological order in history lessons.
Differentiation: getting to know your learners: Five top tips for getting to know your learners and planning for effective differentiation when you teach.
Getting to know you: book quiz: This handy 'getting to know you' or icebreaker activity is perfect for transition, moving up days or year 6 visits to their new secondary school.
How do I learn new words?: Useful for any language lesson, this resource offers tips for learning new vocabulary. It could be given to students at the start of the year to encourage them to try different techniques and to reflect on which approach worked best for them.
Year 7 science laboratory equipment word search: This illustrated science word search puzzle is a great Y7 homework task for the start of the school year and serves as an ideal transition resource for KS3 science students.
Making connections in geography: This KS3 geography lesson is perfect for transition sessions and moving-up days or as a first lesson at the start of the new school year. Featuring a fun getting to know you lesson starter activity, students will jump straight into finding out how they are connected to the world around them.
Browse more secondary transition resources in our Transition collection.
