Transition from Primary School to Secondary School

Moving from primary to secondary school is a very big transition for your child and for you as a parent. It can be a very exciting time but also come with lots of anxieties.

There are many aspects to think about from a parents point of view. It may start in Year 5 where you start to consider your childs next stage of education.

Thinking about applying for secondary schools, visiting schools on their open days and talking to lots of friends and family about the transition.

Parents can have lots of anxieties and lots of questions. We have uploaded a range of resources that can help you as a parent and help your child make that smooth transition.

Resources

Tinies.com - How to help your child transition from primary to secondary.

Going from primary school to secondary school is a time of mixed emotions for parents and their children. However, there are ways you can help make the transition process easier.

BBC Teach - Transitioning to secondary school

Moving from primary school to secondary school is an exciting time of life, but for many children it can also be a daunting prospect. Find lots of resources on : making new friends, the size of the school, bullying, friendships, secondary school struggles.

YoungMinds - Transitioning to secondary school

A film resource that reassures children that they’re not alone when it comes to their worries about secondary school, that there are ways to cope with change and there are people to talk to when things get difficult.

Barclays Life Skills - Supporting kids transition to secondary

For many young people the move from primary to secondary education will be one of the first major life transitions they experience. Alongside a change in educational environment, there will be new subjects, increased workload, new friendships, a different journey to school and new-found independence to explore.

The skills young people will need for making the transition from one school to another are similar to those that they will need to progress successfully through education towards the world of work.

Mental Health Organisation - Moving on to secondary school

The move from primary to secondary education can be stressful for any young person. It can be especially difficult for people with learning disabilities or people with special educational needs (SEN). Find information and guidance for your child and for parents to help that transition.

The Guardian - Secondary school - how parents can help make the transition easier

Excellent article on moving up to year 7 and 10 tips on how to help your children make the change smoothly.

Choosing a Primary or Secondary School

Top Marks has produced this article on what you should be thinking of when choosing your childs schools, it also has guidance on what your rights are.

Choosing a secondary school

Parentkind have produced this resource which gives parents advice on when to start looking for schools? which schools can I apply to? and what do school performance measures.

Dad info - Moving up to big school

Moving up to secondary school is one of life's most defining moments for children and for parents, so we need to help them prepare for it

Preparing children for transition

Heads Together answer a wide range of questions that parents might have regarding transition and how to support your child during these times. They have guidance on Primary transition, Secondary Transition and New School Transition. They explain how the transition should be managed and how to help your child to cope.

Virtual Tours - Secondary Schools in Derby

Due to the pandemic, secondary schools have had to adapt their Open Day process. Derby City Council have asked all the secondary schools in Derby to produce a virtual tour of their schools. This will enable those Year 6's to go through the video with their parents/family and friends so they can gain some knowledge of their new schools and the surroundings.

We will regularly update this section with new videos or links to the schools transition area for Year 6 as and when they are sent to us.

Click on the links below to access the schools videos: