3.2 From primary to secondary school

Now that Laura is 11, she is about to make the transition from primary to secondary school. She is excited but also a little apprehensive. Laura and her mother Christine attended the information evening held at Laura’s school. As well as teachers and teaching assistants from the primary school, the head of pastoral care and the head of year 7 from the secondary school were also there.

It became clear that teaching assistants (TAs) at the primary school were significantly involved with supporting year 6 pupils and their parents/carers during the transition. Many children have less formal relationships with their TA than with their teacher and often find it easier to approach them rather than the class teacher with a worry or a question they may have.

Laura discovered that the school recognises that the transition from primary to secondary school is a major milestone for pupils and their parents. So the school deploys TAs to work alongside teaching staff in a supportive role to ensure the correct information is given regarding the transition and also to offer pupils individual support as necessary.

Laura has a good relationship with the TA who assists in her class and was reassured by this. Christine was pleased to discover that the TAs would also offer support to parents/carers if approached but would if necessary pass on such concerns to the teacher.

Figure 8 Laura and Christine at the information evening

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This is a cartoon of Laura and Christine standing and talking to a male teacher at an information evening. In the background are several large displays headed ‘Mathematics’, ‘Languages’ and ‘Art & Design’.

Figure 8 Laura and Christine at the information evening

Laura found out that her new secondary school will hold an informative open evening for both pupils and their parents/carers before the transition, and staff from the secondary school will come to visit pupils during the primary school day. The staff visiting would be the year 7 form teachers so Laura’s first meeting with her new form teacher would be on familiar territory. Laura felt that she would be able to ask any questions from the ‘safety’ of her own classroom with both her teacher and TA in attendance.

Pupils will also go to the secondary school for two visits during the school day and Laura’s TA will be on hand to offer help and support to any pupil but especially those who seem nervous or anxious. Primary school staff will communicate with their secondary school colleagues and with parents/carers as necessary to ensure the transition will be as smooth as possible.

Christine found it reassuring that pupils are invited to visit the secondary school for an extra day or so to help familiarise them and ease the transition – this gives the secondary school staff a little more time to get to know them and for the pupils to feel comfortable about the forthcoming changes.