Whole school approach to transitions in schools

What support can we signpost families to?

Working positively with families is key in supporting successful transitions. Transition support should be extended to families so they feel more confident and comfortable when guiding their children and young people through the transitions process. Consider the following when reviewing your current practice:

How are they supported when they join your school or setting? e.g. open days, video tour, photos of key staff, transition events (e.g. picnics or coffee mornings) etc?
Are they well informed with key information at the earliest point possible?
How are they supported to understand systems and processes including around transition?
What information can be 'drip fed' throughout the year about any upcoming transitions?
Which key information can be shared on your website? This could include video footage of key areas, interview with key staff, etc.
How soon can you start building relationships with families?
Can you host informal events e.g., coffee mornings to provide opportunities for families to build relationships with staff and other families?
Which families would value and benefit from being offered targeted or enhanced support? Which families could access support via the new School and Communities teams?

During the COVID-19 outbreak, many 'normal' transition activities were cancelled which in turn made some children and young people and families feel anxious about the prospect of starting a new school or setting without knowing what to expect. Whilst face to face transition work has returned, many children and young people and families would still benefit from virtual resources as an additional layer of support including virtual tours, meetings, and videos.

Please see some links to signpost families to below.

General

Just One Norfolk transition resources and information to support with transition (available in easy read and other languages).
Transitions tips from Young Minds for parents to help their children cope with change.
BBC Bitesize video (Starting primary school without any transition) focuses on starting schools with limited transition opportunities.

Early years and primary transition

BBC Bitesize video (How to help your child transition from home to school) to help children transition from home to early years settings.
Looking forward to school (Norfolk County Council) - Ideas to help children to feel confident about starting school.
NCC Early Years transitions leaflets - Guides for families on transitions into early years settings.
Transition from infant to junior school parent and carer guide (PDF) [684KB] - A guide for families.

Secondary aged transition

Transition to secondary school parent and carer guide (PDF) [762KB] - A guide for families.
UEA Future Stars - My Journey to Secondary School video and interactive workbook
Young Minds "Find your feet" webinar about how parents can support children and young people through the change from primary to secondary school.
Supporting children's transition to secondary school (Anna Freud Centre) - Evidence-based guidance for parents and carers

Further and higher education and preparing for adulthood transition

Parent and carer guide to planning for college or training
Preparing for adult life - Support for families whose young person is preparing for adult life.
Being Healthy As An Adult (PDF) [1MB] - A guide for parents, carers and young people
Being Independent As An Adult (PDF) [1MB] - A guide for parents, carers and young people
Being Part Of The Community As An Adult (PDF) [1MB] - A guide for parents, carers and young people

Information should be translated appropriately for those families who have English as an additional language (EAL; who may not be confident with English school transition procedures/systems) with additional considerations around those families who may need the information presented differently i.e. if the family have lower levels of literacy, then verbal information may be more helpful than written.

The Bell Foundation provides practical guidance documents for parents with EAL providing key information to help them to understand the English education system, including how to find a school place. The guidance is available in 22 of the most commonly used first languages in UK schools.

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