Secondary Transition

Preparing Children for Secondary School

Transitioning from primary to secondary school is a landmark step in a child’s journey towards maturity and independence. In addition, moving from a smaller school, where everyone knows each other, to a larger environment in which children are taught by several different teachers and in several different rooms can also bring its challenges.

At Windmill, we believe that it is important to prepare children carefully for these changes, in to ensure that they have the best chance of making a smooth and confident transition. In upper Key Stage 2 (Year 5 and 6), the children are encouraged to become much more self-reliant in their learning, to think about how to organise their learning and manage their time. We teach them how to research, how to evaluate their work and to identify the next steps in their learning journey. This helps them to prepare for the greater demands for independent learning and of managing their time that secondary school makes.

In addition, children across the school take on a variety of job roles, helping with a range of tasks around the school, including Reading Leaders, Dining Hall Monitors, School Council and a whole host of other responsibilities. As well as making a valuable contribution to school life, these roles help the children to develop commitment, organisational skills and a sense of personal responsibility that will stand them in good stead in secondary school.

Transition Information for Parents

It is acknowledged that transition from primary school to secondary school may be just as big an event for parents as it is for children. Therefore, we invite parents to contact us for any information and support that they might need.

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) Work in School to Support Children Through the Transition Process

Any period of transition can be emotionally unsettling and confusing, and transition from primary school to secondary is no different. On the one hand, children may feel that they are looking forward to new opportunities, or on the other they may feel insecure about leaving a familiar environment; they may be looking forward to meeting new friends, or worried that they may lose touch with current ones. We recognise this and, in the summer term in particular, we timetable regular PSHE sessions to support children to voice their concerns and to constructively address their mixed feelings. For example, we reflect on past experiences and look forward both to opportunities and challenges; we explore ways to make new friends and who they can speak to at their new school if they are worried about anything once they start. We also have transition workshops run by the Mental Health Support Team in the summer term for Year 6 classes.

What Parents can do to Help their Children Prepare

Secondary school undoubtedly places extra demands on children in terms of personal organisation, time management and a more complex journey to school. Experience shows that children who are well-prepared for this transition are often more successful. Parents can play a key role in helping children to gain confidence in taking on these challenges in a progressive way. For example, throughout Year 6, children should be encouraged to take responsibility for organising their own school bags and PE kits. In addition, they could be encouraged to identify a regular time for completing home learning each week.

Closer to the time of transition, parents could explore bus timetables with their child and could try a ‘dummy’ school run – perhaps allowing the child to board the bus independently and arranging to meet them at the other end.

Information Sharing Between Windmill and Secondary Schools

In order to ensure that children make a smooth transition from Windmill to their chosen secondary school, and that new teachers are fully aware of each child’s strengths and capabilities, our Year 6 teachers fully brief each school about each child. As a result, in addition to the sharing of statutory test results, and their teacher’s own assessment of a child’s abilities, they also share information about a child’s sporting, artistic or musical skills and interests.

For special educational needs children (SEN), our special educational needs leader (SENCO) and Year 6 team will also hold additional meetings with the SENCO from the relevant secondary school. Furthermore, formal documentation of primary school SEND support arrangements for the child may be completed and passed over, where this is necessary. Where appropriate, PCR (person centred review) meetings are held with the child, parents, staff from Windmill and the relevant secondary school.

For children with an autistic spectrum disorder diagnosis or who are undergoing the diagnostic process, the autism team will provide additional support for transition. The Learning Support team and Sensory team also provide additional transition support for individual children.

Top Tips – to Help Your Child be Ready for Secondary School

As we have already said, making the change from primary to secondary school can be a daunting time, both for your child and for you! This guide is for you as a parent to read and share with your child to help you both prepare for the transition. As a parent there are lots of practical matters you will need to consider before the start of school and thereafter.

You can:

practise how they will get to school, buses, walking, alternative routes and problem solving (what to do if they miss the bus)
apply for bus pass if needed
practise road safety and encourage independent skills when out with you so you can be reassured they know how to be safe – for example acceptable boundaries
establish an honest an open relationship with school – if you or your child has any concerns contact your child’s new school or current primary school so that issues can be addressed if you consider your child as particularly vulnerable, establish a key person in their new school that you can work closely with to help your child
understand that although secondary school is different to primary, your school still cares for your child, if anything concerns you or them get in touch, schools have an open door policy right the way through to Year 11
ensure uniform is correct and appropriate including footwear and hairstyles. Any questions or issues with regards to cost, contact school
attend the parent induction evening as this will tell you everything you need to know about your child starting at the school and how things work, it will also help you and the new teachers get to know each other
read the prospectus including the phone and attendance policy
help your child take responsibility for their belongings before they start at secondary school
encourage them to use a locker at school to keep belongings safe
help your child facilitate their homework and get in touch with school if it is too difficult
set up your lunch payment account, whether it is a cashless system, or your child is on free school meals, know how it works and what is available, talk through the choices with your child
your child will receive a planner – ensure you are familiar with the contents and check it regularly
ensure children conduct themselves safely online and encourage them to concentrate on developing their friendships face to face and resolving differences respectfully
ensure your child has access to their emergency medication and that school have the correct documentation with regards to their health needs.

Emotional Tips

Try not to worry – the transition from primary to secondary is daunting for any parent. It can leave you feeling out of the loop and you can feel a loss of control. You no longer drop your child off at school and may not even know their new teachers. Your son or daughter will make new friends, and this may also add to your anxiety but try not to worry as your child will pick up on this. See this as an exciting time and the start of your child’s adult life.
Communicate – don’t feel you can’t speak to the school. Secondary is very different from primary, but they will welcome any correspondence from you and they’ll be grateful that they have your support. It’ll make you feel better as well. You don’t have to wait until parents evening if you’ve got concerns. Talking to other parents is also very comforting and will offer reassurance and you’ll soon realise that you are not the only one experiencing these changes.
Be patient – your son or daughter is going through lots of changes both physically and emotionally. They might be struggling to see where they fit with their new friendships. They may be short tempered and grumpy but try to keep your cool.
Listen – try to spend a few minutes a day asking about how their day has been. Ask about what they’re learning about and new friend but try not to pry. Let them know they can tell you anything. Have fun together and share stories from your high school days. And even help them with their homework!
Accept – try to accept where you son or daughter is. You want to be able to change anything by trying for force the issue. Just let them know you support them and are there for them. Encourage their independence and free thinking.
Try to provide a stimulating home environment where their opinions on things – such as current affairs or music – are listened to and integrated into adult conversation. Not only will this help your child to develop good social skills, but it will give them a strong sense of self and help them to know their own minds. Remind them of the importance of not blindly ‘following the herd’.