Curriculum themes
Below is a short list of potential skills that research has shown that pupils need in order to successfully transition between Key Sage 2 and 3. The research behind this curriculum is currently under review but is due for publication soon.
These have been trialled across a number of schools and has benefitted from delivery by me, either direct with the children or through a train the trainer model. The themes below will be the basis for discussions in your school or MAT to ensure that your curriculum model best suits your needs.
| Themes |
| Asking for help |
| Identifying independence |
| Relationships with new staff |
| Choices |
| Expectations (theirs) |
| Navigating |
| Making friends |
| Structure/life changes |
| Concerns and Excitement |
Initial Teacher Training/ECT support
I offer sessions to ITT or ECT staff to help them understand the trials and tribulations of the pupils and their families during the long term transition between Key Stage 2 and 3.
To prepare children before they move on to secondary. It needs to start at the very beginning
Primary ITT
‘This is quite helpful information. I wish I had known this before my first placement this would have made a big difference to my understanding of how students learn and behave.’
Secondary ITT
Documents to support your work in school.
Out with the Old and in with the New
This document has some very generic expectations that have been highlighted by a range of staff as causing minor issues (which can develop into bigger) that children can face during the first few weeks of secondary school and was the starting point for my research into curriculum development. This can also form the starting point of any staff training I can offer or pupil support sessions.
I have also highlighted some things that parents have found difficult to deal with or are unexpected for them once their child reaches secondary school.
Nothing in this document is designed to criticise. It has been developed from conversations with some primary staff who asked how they could support getting the pupils pastorally secondary ready and some secondary who hadn’t realised the everyday ‘norm’ of pupils at primary.
Tracking the Foundation subject through the National Curriculum
Want to know what came before and what comes next? I have done the hard work for you!
This document tracks the foundation subjects of the National Curriculum from KS1 to KS3/4, which helps your curriculum leaders and also teachers of these subjects to see the before and after journey that your pupils will be taking.
Who are we? Pupil/parent/carer voice
The information provided here will help that to happen, direct from the hearts and minds of the most important people. The young person and the people who know them best – their families and carers.
While the resources available on this website are offered for free, they do take time to create and develop. If you would like to contribute to the time it takes to do this, you can always
Transition Matters? 
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