Transition Hints and Tips
This page has a list of websites and webpages which parents and carers and young people may find useful when thinking about transitions. By transitions, we mean children or young people who are:
- starting school for the first time
- moving primary school to secondary school
- joining a new class or school
- leaving school for college or work-based learning
- leaving education altogether
Starting primary school
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Talk Listen Cuddle – information and activities parents and carers can do with children to help them get ready for starting school.
- Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service – school readiness guide.
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BBC Bitesize – online games to prepare children for their first day at primary school.
- BBC Bitesize – an article written by a headteacher with helpful tips and practical activities for parents and carers.
Starting secondary school
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BBC Bitesize – tips and videos on different topics such as making new friends, the size of secondary school and what a typical day might look like.
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YouTube video – animated video sharing top tips for children transitioning to secondary school.
- Manchester Health Academy (a school based in Manchester) – activities to do with children who are transitioning to secondary school.
- TES – five tips from a headteacher to help parents support their children with starting secondary school.
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Young Minds – a short film to help children prepare for the transition between primary and secondary school.
- Mental Health England’s Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities – easy read guides for pupils and a guide for parents on moving to secondary school.
- Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service – supporting transitions from primary to secondary school.
- Essex Youth Service – young people can work through the free Year 6 Transition Activity Booklet and get a certificate at the end.
Post 16
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All About School Leavers – information on school leaver pathways, including: apprenticeships, college, university and work.
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Career Pilot – help with choosing post 16 options.
- Mencap – advice and support on further education.
- Essex Local Offer – the Preparing for Adulthood section has information on different pathways into employment and what is available locally.
- Essex Local Offer – this page on university has information on the funding available to disabled students, and links to online resources for disabled students thinking about university.
- Department for Education transitions leaflet – questions for young people with SEND and their families to ask schools when transitioning to Year 11.
For all ages
- Autism Education Trust – transition toolkit to help parents/carers support children and young people through changes.
- Young Minds – transitions guide for pupils with SEND.
- Transition Information Network (Council for Disabled Children) – My Future Choices magazine is for disabled young people. All of the stories are written by young people and gives an opportunity to share with other young people how they have successfully transitioned into adulthood.
- Mentally Healthy Schools – this is aimed at schools but still has information on transitions which may be useful for parents and carers.
- Department for Education returning to school leaflet – questions for young people with SEND and their families to ask schools after a period of absence.
- SNAP’s Summer Survival Guide 2020 – school transition top tips from the charity, Special Needs and Parents (SNAP).