School transitions

Our Supporting Secondary Transition leaflet, which has been co-produced with year six pupils and teachers around worries and concerns about moving to secondary school. Based on what they told us, we developed a leaflet containing practical top tips and strategies to help children feel more confident and prepared for this important transition. The TLM questionnaire identified several common concerns, including:

• making new friends
• finding their way around school
• having new teachers
• leaving old friends behind
• getting to lessons on time
• travelling to school
• understanding the work
• being bullied
• achieving good grades
• getting into trouble.

We recognise that children's feelings about transition can change throughout the year. We hope the leaflet provides useful advice and reassurance to help them manage these feelings and build confidence as they prepare for secondary school. To support the leaflet, we have also created a narrated PowerPoint presentation that introduces and explains the strategies in more detail.

The Anna Freud video mentioned in the video, can be found below:

The leaflets will be sent directly to schools, allowing them to choose the most appropriate time to share them with pupils and parents. Email the Whole School Approach Team on kentchft.wholeschoolhealth@nhs.net if you have any questions about the leaflet or The Lancaster Model questionnaire.