Handling transitions between settings, classes and key stages
Transitions are one of the hardest things for many children — new building, new teacher, new routine, new noises, new expectations all at once. Good planning makes a huge difference.
Types of transition
- Starting nursery, reception or Year 7
- Moving up a year group or changing teachers
- Moving classroom, school or local authority
- Changes within the day — assemblies, supply teachers, end-of-term events
- The end of a term and the return after a holiday
Preparation that helps
- Extra visits to the new setting, ideally when it is quiet
- Photos of the building, classroom, staff and route in
- A social story explaining what will happen, what might feel hard, and who can help
- Meeting the new teacher or key adult before the change
- A clear plan shared between old and new staff so support carries over
For Year 6 to Year 7
Ask for enhanced transition: more visits, a named key adult, a "passport" or one-page profile that goes ahead of your child, and a plan for the first week.
At home
Keep the rest of the routine as stable as possible while a transition is happening. Reduce other demands. Expect tiredness, bigger emotions and possibly some after-school collapse.
Key message
Transitions are predictable. The distress around them does not have to be.