Find information on education transitions from early years through to preparing for adulthood.
On this page
- What does education transition mean?
- Early years transitions
- Primary to secondary school transitions
- Secondary to further education transitions
- Nottinghamshire County Council support services
- Nottinghamshire's transition guide
What does education transition mean?
Education transition describes the process of moving from one school to another or through different key stages. It also includes the preparations for a child or young person's journey into adulthood.
Successful transition is vital to a child or young person's emotional and academic development, so careful planning is required.
The key educational transition stages are:
- Starting early years.
- The move from early years to primary school.
- Moving key stages within primary school - For example, early years to key stage 1 (KS1), KS1 to KS2 and possibly moving between Year groups or from infant to junior school.
- The move from primary to secondary school.
- The move from secondary school to further education or work and preparing for adulthood.
Inclusive transitions for children with SEND
In terms of transfers for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the SEND Code of Practice 2015 states:
"Early years providers and schools should support children so that they are included in social groups and develop friendships. This is particularly important when children are transferring from one phase of education to another (for example from nursery to primary school)"
Transitions may be a cause of anxiety for you or your child and it's important for parents, education staff and other professionals to work together to ensure the right help and support is available at the right time.
Transition planning should also be discussed and planned for when your child moves between classes or Years. This can help to ensure a smooth handover into their new class or Year group.
Speak to your child’s education setting or school to plan for this. Schools must publish a special educational needs (SEN) information report on their websites. This should include arrangements for supporting children and young people in moving between phases of education and in preparing for adulthood.
Transition planning
Before every transition stage, the current education setting should organise a planning meeting with the receiving school and this meeting may involve parents. This should happen regardless of whether a child with special educational needs and disabilities has an education, health and care (EHC) plan or not.
The planning meeting will help everyone to discuss the needs of the child and decide on what support is required.
It can help your child to transition well between settings if they have:
- regular visits to their new school or college
- the opportunity to meet key staff
- visits to their current school or college from staff that will be working with them in the future
- access to their new timetable in advance so they can talk about any concerns before they start
- access to a visual timetable if necessary
- the opportunity to try out lunchtime arrangements at their new school or college
- their transport planned, including any travel training they may need.
It is also a good idea to ask if you can take photos of your child in the setting as well as photos of the different areas within the school or college, and of key staff. Older children could take photos themselves when they make transition visits. Schools will be able to provide photos too.
If you feel it would be useful you can make a photo book to look at with your child. This will give them reassurance and familiarity in the lead up to moving to their new school or setting.
The SEND Inclusion Service (SIS) have written a series of quick read transition tips for parents of children with special educational needs from early years to post 16.
Early years transitions
Preschool, childcare for early years (age 0 to 4 years)
Starting pre-school or going to a childminder can be challenging for any child, but even more so for those with additional needs. When looking for a pre-school for your child, arrange to visit and talk to staff about your child’s needs and how you help them at home.
Ask if staff can visit you at home so your child can start to feel comfortable with them. Childminders will be happy to arrange settling in visits for your child.
If you have professionals involved, ask them how they can help with supporting the transition.
Early years settings to primary school
The transition to school is likely to be the first major event in many children’s lives. This period is, for most children exciting and enjoyable, but it can also bring academic, social and practical demands that some children find challenging. This time can be just as worrying for parents, as it can be for the children who are going through this period of change.
When your child is moving up to primary school into reception class, arrange to visit and talk to staff about your child’s needs and how you help them at home. This would also be part of the planning meeting as school would be invited to attend.
Arrange for your child to visit their primary school as often as they need before they start. Additional visits are often agreed and supported where possible by the education setting staff.
The East Midlands Education Support Service has information and guidance on inclusive early years transitions.
Go to Early years transitions (East Midlands Education Support Service)
Primary to secondary school transitions
When your child starts a new school, it is important that current school staff at the receiving school are well informed about your child’s needs. This would mean talking to you and your child and the primary school. If your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan this discussion may be done as part of their annual review.
The special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) from the primary school and secondary school will meet to discuss your child’s needs during the summer term. This will include transfer of school information such as assessment results. Secondary SENCOs will often attend the Year 6 annual review if a child has an EHC plan.
Arrange for your child to visit their new school as often as they need before they start.
The East Midlands Education Support Service has information, guidance and resources on primary to secondary school transitions.
Go to Primary to secondary transitions (East Midlands Education Support Service)
Secondary to further education transitions
From around school Year 8 or 9 your child should be encouraged to think about what they may like to do in the future. This includes:
- further or higher education
- training or work experience
- employment
- independent living
- interests and hobbies within their community
- thinking about their health needs
By age 13 to 14 years, someone from your child’s school will be responsible for co-ordinating a meeting to discuss plans for the future. This should involve your child and have details of their hopes, dreams and a plan of how they will be supported to achieve them.
If your child has an education, health and care plan this will be discussed in their annual reviews meetings.
The East Midlands Education Support Service has information, guidance and resources on preparing for adulthood.
Go to Preparing for adulthood (East Midlands Education Support Service)
Nottinghamshire County Council support services
SEND Inclusion Service
The SEND Inclusion Service comprises of specialist teachers and teaching assistants with additional qualifications and experience in working with children and young people with a range of special educational needs aged 0 to 19 years.
Their support includes working with schools and families around transitions planning.
For further information, go to the SEND Inclusion Service (Service directory)
Preparing for Adulthood Team
Nottinghamshire County Council have a Preparing for Adulthood Team, who can provide support for young people.
They work with young people who have an impairment and require social care support that cannot be accessed through community services already in place.
For further information go to the Preparing for Adulthood Team directory listing.
The Preparing for Adulthood Team explains how they help young people prepare for adulthood in this 4-minute YouTube video:
Nottinghamshire's transition guide
The new Preparing for Adulthood guide has been designed to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 14 to 25 as they plan their transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The guide covers a wide range of topics, including education and employment, living independently, friendships and relationships, travelling, health and financial support.
The goal is to provide support to young people with the information they need to make informed choices about their future. The guide will also be a valuable resource for professionals, such as educators, social workers and healthcare providers, who support young people who are reaching adulthood.
Download the Preparing for Adulthood Guide (Nottinghamshire County Council) [PDF] or visit the Preparing for Adulthood Guide (Nottinghamshire County Council) to learn more and find support for young people and families.