Transition
TRANSITION
when a child or young person makes a transition from one phase of education to another, this is called phase transfer. There are three key transitions in a child or young person’s education:
Early Years Setting to Primary School
Primary School to Secondary School
Secondary School to Post-16 or 19 provision
If the child or young person has special educational needs or a disability (SEND), they may require an enhanced level of support at transition. If an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) is in place for them it is important for all involved to begin to plan well in advance of transition.
There is a process followed by the Local Authority, including the need to name a school or college on the plan. Further information is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/education-health-and-care-plans/phase-transfers
Some useful questions for parents and carers to ask when choosing an education setting are available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-school-age-children/education-support-for-your-child/apply-for-and-choose-a-school/choose-a-school-for-your-send-child/questions-when-choosing-an-education-setting
Whether a child or young person has SEND support or an EHCP, there will need to be a plan put in place in order for them to have a successful transition.
There is further guidance for the different transfer phases available for parents and carers on the Kent Information Hub:
Early Years:
Primary School to Secondary School:
Secondary to Further Education:
Kent has a Transition Charter, which sets out the responsibilities of everyone involved in the transition process.
Successful transitions occur more frequently when there is good communication, planning and transfer of information and records between early years settings, schools and parents/carers.
STLS in the Sevenoaks District are available to support and give advice at transition events and meetings if a child is on the case-list of a Specialist Teacher.
In the Sevenoaks District, we have created additional guidance documents, templates and resources for settings and schools to use at the different transfer phases. These are available on the pages below.
EARLY YEARS TO PRIMARY TRANSITION
SEND/Vulnerable Pupil Transition Checklist - Early Years Setting to Primary
This is intended to be a helpful guide for early years settings and schools to enable successful transition for pupils from early years settings to the reception year.
This checklist was produced by a working group of SENCOs, Head Teachers and STLS Specialist Teachers from the Sevenoaks Inclusion Steering Group, in response to the Transition Project commissioned by the North Area Kent Association of Head Teachers.
Early years settings are also encouraged to complete the Sevenoaks District Early Years Setting to Primary Transition Information Sheet for children who have SEND or additional vulnerabilities before meeting with the receiving primary school
It is also helpful to complete an Early Years Pupil Portrait Sheet with the parent/carer to give to the Primary school, to help them to have a wider picture of the child.
Further information regarding moving from early years to primary school is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-children-under-5/education-support-for-your-child/moving-from-early-years-to-primary-school
POST 16 TRANSITION
It may be helpful for secondary schools to complete the following form for pupils transferring to college at 16.
Sevenoaks District Information to Support Post-16 Transition for SEND/Vulnerable Students
This form provides an opportunity for pupils to share information with the college they are moving to: Post-16 Pupil Consent and Information Sharing
Further, transition information for pupils aged 16-25 is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-young-people/education-for-young-people-with-send
PRIMARY SCHOOL TO SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSITIN
Sevenoaks District SEND/Vulnerable Pupil Transition Checklist – Primary to Secondary
This is intended to be a helpful guide for schools to enable successful transition for pupils from Year 6 to Year 7. The process starts in Year 5.
This checklist was produced by a working group of SENCOs, Head Teachers and STLS Specialist Teachers from the Sevenoaks Inclusion Steering Group, in response to the Transition Project commissioned by the North Area Kent Association of Head Teachers.
Primary schools are also asked to complete the Sevenoaks District Primary to Secondary (SEND/Vulnerable Pupils) Transition Information Sheet for children who have SEND or additional vulnerabilities before meeting with the receiving secondary school.
It is also helpful to complete a Pupil Portrait Sheet with the parent/carer to give to the secondary school, to help them to have a wider picture of the pupil.
Further information regarding moving from primary to secondary school is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-school-age-children/education-support-for-your-child/moving-primary-to-secondary-send
RESOURCES
Guidance for Parents/Carers, Pupils, SENCOs, Teachers and Learning Support Staff
This quick guide focuses on moving into, between and out of educational settings.
It looks at three key transition points – the move from:
• early years to primary school
• primary to secondary school
• secondary school to work, college or university
The guide aims to:
set out the key principles underpinning successful transition from one educational setting to another and into training or employment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
suggest some practical approaches to supporting a smooth transition at different stages in the education process
examine processes for transition planning and review in secondary schools
identify what schools and disabled young people themselves can do to smooth the transition from school to higher education
Primary to Secondary Transition for Pupils with ASD
This resource pack has been put together to advise school staff, parents/carers and other professionals supporting pupils on the autism spectrum through transition from mainstream primary to mainstream secondary schools. The intention is that the pack be used flexibly for each individual pupil. All materials are photocopiable and available to be used by schools in their transition planning.
Autism Education Trust - Transition Toolkit - Helping you support a child through change
This toolkit is a summary of the common issues surrounding transition for young people on the autism spectrum, as well as a guide to the considerations that should be taken by those supporting them. It offers some practical strategies to support transition periods as well as provide a list of useful links to other organisations and support materials.
Moving from primary to secondary school - Supporting pupils with an autism spectrum disorder
This guide is for teachers, SENCOs and learning support staff who will be helping pupils with an ASD through transition. Parents and carers will also find it useful.
