Transitions

Who is more likely to struggle with transitions?

It’s important to prepare pupils who are more likely to struggle with moving to a new school or phase of education. This includes children and young people with:

• additional learning needs (also known as SEND, ASN or ALN)
• mental health problems
• behavioural problems
• limited parental support
• experience of transient living, such as being in care
• anxiety
• experience of being bullied.

Identifying the signs

Here are a few things to look out for which may suggest a child or young person is struggling with their transition to a new phase of education:

• struggles to make friends
• doesn’t feel that they belong
• has ongoing difficulties coping with daily routines
• increased number of unauthorised school absences
• challenging or disruptive behaviour
• lower than expected progress or a disinterest in school.

What schools and further education settings can do

There are lots of things that education settings can do to help pupils prepare for, and cope with, change - and also build resilience, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Engage with parents and carers

Parents and carers are often key to making sure that a child or young person has a good transition to a new school or college. A few things that parents, carers and teachers can do include:

• checking in with the child or young person to find out how well they are coping academically, but also in terms of their wellbeing
• keeping an eye on how they are socialising, if they are making friends and hanging around in positive peer groups
• providing opportunities for parents and carers and staff to link up.

Connect with local education settings

• Work with your local schools and further education providers to identify children and young people who may require additional support when they arrive or leave your school or college - and develop strategies (such as mentoring) to support them.
• Create social events between transitional settings, including talks, taster days, and Q&A sessions with children and young people, parents and carers who have already been through the transition process.
• Think about developing a peer support or buddy system. This is where pupils who have been at the school/college longer support newer pupils with their move to a new school or further education setting (see this toolkit for how to get started).

Use health & wellbeing lessons to prepare pupils

Children and young people who recognise change as stressful, and who seek support and problem-solve, often cope better with change than those who deny or avoid the emotional impact of a transition.

Schools can use health and wellbeing education (RSHE, PD&MU, Health & Wellbeing) to help pupils develop good emotional and social skills from the start of their education. These skills will help pupils prepare and cope with change by focusing on how to recognise and manage thoughts and feelings, build resilience, and also learn how to problem-solve.

Find resources to support with transitions.