Transition from Primary to Secondary school

What can a parent/carer do to support a child through a primary to secondary school transition?

Parent/carers can sometimes - in their effort and love for a child and in wanting them to do well managing their transition into Year 7 - be too encouraging by saying “you’ll be fine, you have nothing to worry about” and in doing so forget that their child may have anxious feelings as well as excitement for this big leap.

We know as adults that it is common to have mixed feelings about a new environment or a change in life. As a parent/carer/adult in a child’s life we can help them by:

1.     Reminding a child that it is possible to have mixed feelings

It is possible to feel anxious and excited both at the same time, take some time to talk about this with them.

2.     Listening to them first without judgement or jumping too quickly to give advice

Give a child space for all their feelings to be expressed, the positive and negative ones.

3.     A chance to say goodbye

Some children may struggle to finish primary school and to accept that they won’t be in the same building with the same teachers. Try and find a way for your child to say goodbye - a handcrafted card for their teacher expressing their feelings or a visit to their old school site. If it’s allowed, take photos of their classroom; their favourite seat; their favourite area to play; or simply the front gate.

4.     Remain connected with friends

Summertime is a difficult time between saying goodbye and starting the new year, during this time try to keep in contact and connected with school friends to help ease a child’s transition later.

Transition happens at other times too:

After a lengthy break in routine children often find their mixed emotions difficult to manage. These suggestions around ‘how to offer support’ are also applicable during other school holidays, or any other lengthy break from routine for any child too.